Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin has piled the pressure on England by insisting that it is Roy Hodgson’s men who enter this evening’s crunch Group D clash with more to lose.
England need just a draw to qualify for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, while Ukraine must win; and urged on by their own fans, the co-hosts are sure to give everything.
And while Blokhin accepts that a nation wants to see his men beat the English, he also believes that Ukraine are in a transitional phase, meaning just a good showing through hard work would be accepted as enough.
“England are among the favourites, so the pressure is on them”, said Blokhin.
“Our approach to this game is more relaxed”, he added.
“If the result is not good for us, but we fight on the pitch until the last minute, that’s not bad for us.”
“We’re building a new team, a young team. I think England will be nervous.”
Ukraine come into the match having beaten Sweden (2-1), but lost to France (2-0), while England drew against the French (1-1), but beat Sweden (3-2).
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