Shevchenko backs Ukraine to defy Germany

Now Ukraine assistant coach, Andriy Shevchenko has been sharing the wealth of his experience with the current generation at the team's training base in Aix-en-Provence. The former Dynamo Kyiv, Milan and Chelsea ace, 39, spoke to EURO 2016.com about footballing philosophies, Ukraine's strengths and their opening match.

On the match against Germany ...

Every game is going to be difficult, but in the first one some nervousness might play a part. We understand what we are up against. Maybe we are a bit weaker individually, so we have to be better collectively. We will try to build on our compactness, movement, tactical nous and fast attacks, which have always been typical for Ukraine. We are going to give Germany a good game.

On the Ukrainian school of football ...

Ukrainian football has always produced very good coaches and players. Valeriy Lobanovskiy was one of the greatest coaches on the planet and his legacy is very important for the whole of football. I feel very proud that he was Ukrainian.

He had several generations of great teams, who were always characterised by excellent fitness and mobility and could apply various tactics over the course of a game. He almost completely changed me and my understanding of football. I learned from him that first of all a footballer must be professional in everything. You have to be really focused in training, listen to what your coach tells you, develop a winning mentality and study different tactical models.

On his first steps as a coach ...

When I was a player, I already looked at many things like a coach. Then I completed a few courses, travelled and watched, studied with some of the very best coaches. Now I understand coaching is not only about preparing the team and the players. You also have to be a good manager, dealing with board members and finances. You need good assistants and scouts. You have to know a lot about sports medicine and things like that.

I really enjoy coaching. I like to share my experience with players and look at football from another perspective. And I'm happy to work at the EURO. It's going to be a great experience for me.

On the current Ukrainian national team ...

Ukraine are a well-equipped and compact team. We have developed a certain style, and our opponents know it's never easy against us. We do not concede many, we always play with great commitment, and we have top players like Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka. I think this side has a good chance of getting through the group.

Olexandr Zinchenko is definitely a talented player but everything depends on his professionalism, desire and mentality. If he gets a chance, he has to show he is a cut above. Viktor Kovalenko is another young player with great potential. His consistent performances for Shakhtar Donetsk gave us grounds for trusting him with a place in the national team. I'm sure he will get his opportunity in France.

©FFU

©FFU