Serhiy Rebrov is looking for a replacement for the injured Oleksandr Zinchenko on the national team
Serhiy Rebrov, head coach of the Ukrainian national team, had planned to deploy Oleksandr Zinchenko at right back in the crucial match against Sweden.
However, due to the player’s serious injury, the coach had to urgently change his tactical plans for the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs.
According to renowned sports journalist Viktor Vatska, the coaching staff viewed Zinchenko as the ideal replacement for the suspended Yuhim Konoplya.
Although Oleksandr usually plays on the left or in the center, he was supposed to cover the vulnerable right flank.
This plan became impossible after it was revealed that the player had suffered a serious knee injury. According to preliminary medical forecasts, Oleksandr Zinchenko is out of action until the very end of the current soccer season.
Serhiy Rebrov is now forced to look for new options to strengthen the team’s defensive line ahead of the decisive matches.
The absence of two key players in the same position poses a serious challenge to the national team’s defensive strategy.
As Viktor Vatsko notes, Bohdan Mykhailichenko is now the most likely candidate to fill the vacant spot in the starting lineup.
According to the expert, it will be his responsibility to contain the Swedish attackers in the upcoming match.
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Iran is also demanding that its 2026 World Cup matches be moved from the U.S. to Mexico.
