Shevchenko bidding to increase his legendary status

OVERVIEW

Ukraine earned a place at Euro 2020 after the best qualifying campaign in their history. Zbirna started with a goalless draw in Lisbon, then won six of their next seven, hammering Serbia 5-0 and beating Portugal 2-1 at home to secure top spot.       

  • After a disastrous Euro 2016 featuring three defeats, Andriy Shevchenko was appointed to his first coaching role. The country’s all-time top scorer received a vote of confidence after failing to reach the 2018 World Cup, and has extended his contract until 2022.
  • Under Shevchenko, Ukraine have found a balance between defensive solidity and attacking creativity. Andriy Yarmolenko is the senior attacker, while talents like Ruslan Malinovskyi, Roman Yaremchuk and Oleksandr Zinchenko have matured into key performers.
  • Shevchenko, like his mentor Valery Lobanovsky, has managed to instil in his players a winning mentality.

TACTICS

In Shevchenko’s 4-3-3, the creative figures are midfielders Zinchenko and Malinovskyi, while Taras Stepanenko is responsible for the balance between defence and attack. Naturalised Marlos adds a Brazilian touch, while attacking ace Yaremchuk provides the industry.

STAR MAN

Oleksandr Zinchenko 

In a more attacking role for Ukraine than Manchester City, he takes up positions to receive passes and create chances.

COACH

Andriy Shevchenko

Prolific scorer during his playing career, he has had a big impact on Ukraine as a coach.

PLAYER PROFILE

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Shakhtar Donetsk academy graduate Ruslan Malinovskyi, now playing for Serie A side Atalanta, became the leading player of the Ukrainian national team during the successful Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, playing all eight matches, scoring three goals and creating another three.

Yet his influence in Shevchenko’s side goes far beyond numbers. The 27-year-old midfielder is the engine that tirelessly drives the team forward. He dictates the tempo for the team, and is crucial for retaining possession. With his ability to make skilful, quick passes, Malinovskyi opens the gate for the forwards Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk to run through.

One of his main virtues is his lack of fear when turning with the ball and driving forward looking for a pass.

He is a major threat from dead-ball situations too, possessing a powerful and dipping free-kick strike.

Signed from Belgian side Genk after scoring 13 league goals in 2018-19, his role in Bergamo has mostly been as a super-sub: of his first 53 games for Atalanta, 36 came off the bench.

Article by Oleg Zadernovsky

This article first appeared in the January Edition of World Soccer. You can purchase old issues of the magazine by clicking here.