Ukraine are gearing up for their third consecutive European Championships. Led by iconic striker Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine are hoping to make a positive impression at Euro 2020.
Ukraine are hoping to progress at Euro 2020. They have failed to reach the knockout stages during their previous two campaigns. However, redemption is on the line as they target progression after a disastrous Euro 2016 where they lost all three games and failed to score a goal.
The team at Last Word on Football has put together a country profile so that you can have the complete rundown ahead of the competition kicking off in June.
Everything You Need to Know About Ukraine Ahead of Euro 2020
Who is the Ukrainian National Team Coach?
Ukraine are led by iconic striker Andriy Shevchenko who remains Ukraine’s all-time top goalscorer. Shevchenko has been in charge for the last five years having initially arrived as assistant manager.
He was promoted to the main role following their dismal Euro 2016 campaign under Mykhaylo Fomenko and has certainly made Ukraine a difficult side to play against.
A prolific striker in his playing career, Shevchenko made his name at Dynamo Kyiv before moving to AC Milan where he became one of the world’s greatest strikers scoring 175 goals in 322 Serie A appearances.
A move to the Premier League followed in 2006 when Shevchenko signed for Chelsea.
Shevchenko retired in 2012 and initially left football completely to start a political career. He ran for a seat in the Ukrainian parliament but lost his battle.
He ultimately returned to football coaching and now leads his country at a major tournament for the first time.
Who Has Been Selected in the Ukraine Squad For Euro 2020?
Ukraine’s squad is packed with plenty of experience as they gear up for their first major tournament in five years.
Shevchenko’s squad is largely made by players who play for Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv. However, their squad certainly has plenty of quality and match-winning players.
Goalkeepers – Georgiy Bushchan (Dynamo Kyiv), Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Anatolii Trubin (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Defenders – Oleksandr Karavaev (Dynamo Kyiv), Serhiy Kryvtsov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mykola Matviyenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Vitaliy Mykolenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Denys Popov (Dynamo Kyiv), Eduard Sobol (Club Brugge), Oleksandr Tymchyk (Dynamo Kyiv), Illia Zabarnyi (Dynamo Kyiv), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City)
Midfielders – Roman Bezus (Gent), Yevhen Makarenko (Kortrijk), Ruslan Malinovskyi (Atalanta), Marlos (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mykola Shaparenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Taras Stepanenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Heorhii Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Serhiy Sydorchuk (Dynamo Kyiv), Viktor Tsygankov (Dynamo Kyiv)
Forwards – Artem Besedin (Dynamo Kyiv), Artem Dovbyk (Dnipro-1), Roman Yaremchuk (Gent), Andriy Yarmolenko (West Ham), Oleksandr Zubkov (Ferencváros)
Ruslan Malinovskyi Will Be Ukraine’s Creative Enforcer
The Ukraine squad is packed with talent and match winners. One player fitting this bill is Atalanta’s Ruslan Malinovskyi who has sparkled in Serie A this season. He played a major part as Atalanta secured a third consecutive Champions League campaign.
The 28-year-old scored six times in Serie A but amazingly set up 12 others. As well as being a creative force, Malinovskyi isn’t afraid to do the dirty side of the game and he will be a key player for Ukraine at Euro 2020.
As well as Malinovskyi, Ukraine also boast Premier League experience with Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and West Ham United’s Andriy Yarmolenko. Zinchenko in particular is likely to play an important part this summer with his versatility being a major boost for Shevchenko.
Largely deployed at left back by Pep Guardiola, Zinchenko can play in left midfield as well as the number ten role. He like Malinovskyi will play a big part in how far Ukraine progress.
Group Stage Fixtures
Ukraine will fancy they can progress to the knockout stages of Euro 2020. They are in Group C alongside Austria, the Netherlands and North Macedonia. A top-two finish is a very realistic target for Shevchenko’s men as they target their knockout phase appearance.
Netherlands v Ukraine – June 13, 8pm BST
Ukraine v North Macedonia – June 17, 2pm BST
Ukraine v Austria – June 21, 5pm BST
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