THANK U ALL, BUT WE ARE ZIN IT TO WIN IT...
Oleks is so grateful to UK ahead of clash with Lions
ARSENAL defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will put aside friendships when Ukraine tackle England at Wembley today.
But the 26-year-old will always be grateful for the support shown by team-mates and his adopted nation during a “nightmare” year.
Today’s match is Ukraine’s first of the Euro 2024 qualification campaign and will be played against the background of the continuing war in the country following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Zinchenko, who joined the Gunners from Manchester City last July, appreciated the solidarity he was shown by his colleagues and his adopted country.
He admitted: “I love them all so much, but, unfortunately, on the pitch there are no friends, so let’s see what is going to happen.
“Bukayo Saka has not given me the line-up yet, but I am going to push as much as I can!
“I got a lot of support from all of my team-mates, for which I am so grateful. I would also like to say a massive thanks to all of the UK for all of the help and support for all of us Ukrainians, for the country, our people, all of the refugees who are living here.
“It is so important for us. Without your support, it would be so difficult and tough. We really appreciate it.”
Reflecting on the continuing war in his homeland, Zinchenko said: “There is no one there who has not been affected.
“It is about 397 days since terrorists invaded our country, and I would call these 397 days, ‘nightmare’.
“Everyone in Ukraine lost something – maybe a house, job, properties – everyone has completely changed since then, that is for sure.”
England kicked off their Euro Championship
Group C qualifying campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory in Italy.
Zinchenko said: “We realise the strength of the England team, but we have to show our best performance and play the best games of our lives.
We will be fighting for our country and for everyone who will be watching this game. It is a huge task.”
Ukraine warmed up with a friendly against Brentford B on Thursday, winning 2-0 at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane.
Interim head coach Ruslan Rotan admitted: “We know that there will an amazing atmosphere ‘On the pitch there are no friends, so let’s see what
happens’ at Wembley. We consider England as one of the top five teams in the world.
“We dream of playing in such matches and we really enjoy them.
“In this beautiful country and in a beautiful stadium, we are ready to show a great game.
“We will fight for a result that will suit us.”