Oleksandr Zinchenko has admitted that Ukraine will need to play the 'game of their lives' to beat England in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals on Saturday evening.
The two sides will lock horns at the Stadio Olimpico after England impressively beat Germany 2-0, while Ukraine, well, surprisingly beat Sweden 2-1 in the round of 16.
Sweden were heavy favourites going into the round of 16 clash at Hampden Park, but a wonderful performance from Zinchenko and co. led to Ukraine snatching a dramatic win courtesy of an Artem Dovbyk extra-time winner.
Ahead of the England game, Zinchenko has stated (via the Daily Mail) that Ukraine will need an even better performance if they are to progress to their first ever tournament semi-final:
"It will not be easy. We know it. But at this stage of the tournament, everything is possible and I think that the coaching team will explain to us what to do with it and we will do our best.
"We will try to surprise them but of course we realise that to get through all the players and the whole team, they will need to play probably the best game of their lives."
The Manchester City full-back also took the time to praise the Three Lions' recent performances, but also explained that 'every team has a weakness' - something with Ukraine will no doubt be looking to exploit on Saturday evening:
5 - Oleksandr Zinchenko is the fifth different @ManCity player to score at #EURO2020 (also De Bruyne, Sterling, Laporte, Torres) - only Atalanta (also five) have had as many different players score at the tournament. Citizens. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/qhLB4O5i26
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 29, 2021
"I will say that numbers speak for themselves. The fact that England hasn't conceded any goals yet, they play very well in defence.
"But I think that there are no perfect teams. Every team has weaknesses."
Source : 90min