Ukraine coach criticises Čeferin’s Italy wish for Euro 2024

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov has mentioned UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin made his gamers “angry” when he mentioned it could be a “disaster” for Euro 2024 if Italy fail to qualify for the match.

Reigning European champions Italy face Ukraine the German metropolis of Leverkusen on Monday — all of Ukraine’s Group C dwelling video games have been performed at impartial venues because of the Russian invasion of the nation — needing to keep away from defeat to qualify for subsequent yr’s finals in Germany.

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A win for Ukraine would safe qualification for Rebrov’s crew, nonetheless, and power Italy into the playoffs. Italy missed out on each the 2018 and 2022 World Cups after shedding within the playoffs, prompting Čeferin to say final month that he needed them to succeed in the finals of Euro 2024.

“Italy must qualify for Euro 2024, otherwise it will be a disaster,” Čeferin told Italian media outlet LaPresse. “The Italian national team is too important, but I think it will beat Ukraine.”

Čeferin’s feedback had been met with incredulity in Ukraine, although, and Rebrov, the previous Dynamo Kyiv, Tottenham and West Ham ahead, mentioned in his pre-match press convention in Leverkusen that the remarks have solely served to additional inspire his gamers to safe the runners-up spot within the group behind already-qualified England.

“We’re not interested in what he [Čeferin] has to say,” Rebrov mentioned. “It’s not our job to focus on such comments.

“But all that they will actually do is have an effect on my gamers to make them extra indignant and motivated to qualify.

“I think we have a good chance. This game is different to the game in San Siro [when Italy won 2-1 in September].

“It will likely be a full stadium supporting us. We performed in Bremen just lately and had huge help, a lot of Ukrainians. I’m positive it will likely be identical right here, a full stadium with our flags. It goes to be completely different.

“It is one thing to play against North Macedonia or Malta, with respect, but when we play England or Italy, it is different.

“This is a recreation when now we have to indicate our face. We made a lot of errors in Italy, however we perceive our duty on this recreation and what now we have to do.”