Shakhtar director Serhiy Palkin believes Ukraine can beat Italy, especially after Barcelona‘s loss against the Ukrainian side in the Champions League and reveals Roberto De Zerbi had received offers from ‘important clubs.’
Shakhtar shocked Barcelona in their latest Champions League meeting on November 7, securing a 1-0 victory at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.
Tomorrow, Monday, November 20, Ukraine’s national team host Italy in the final match of the Euro 2024 qualifiers in Leverkusen. They must beat the Azzurri to earn a spot for Germany 2024, meaning a draw will be enough for Italy to qualify for the upcoming European Championships.
“It will be a tough game for Ukraine,” Shakhtar director Palkin told La Repubblica.
“We believe in our players, but the best thing for our national team is to offer good football. Anyway, Shakhtar beat Barcelona in the Champions League, so Ukraine can win against Italy.”
Ukraine will strongly rely on Chelsea star Mykhaylo Mudryk who is adapting to life in England after a tough start at Stamford Bridge.
“He is a guy who improves every month,” said Palkin.
“He arrived in the Premier League with a lot of pressure from journalists and fans and he was alone. He had played in empty stadiums in the previous three years due to COVID and war. He had a difficult time in England, but I think that phase is the past and now he is bringing great results to Chelsea and Ukraine national team.”
Palkin is not only the man who sold Mudryk to Chelsea for over €70m this past January but was also responsible for Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment as Shakhtar boss, months before the invasion from Russian troops in 2022 which led to the departure of the Italian coach from Ukraine.
“I had predicted his success before he even arrived in the Premier League and I am sure he will become one of the best coaches in the World,” Palkin claimed.
“It’s stop by step, but he will have a great future. He had received offers from important clubs. As soon as he’ll accept those offers, we’ll see him become a top coach. He still needs a bit of time.”
Er , Barcelona are garbage Atm .