Ukraine’s Starting Lineup Confirmed for Poland Clash
New head coach Andrea Maldera has announced the starting eleven for Ukraine’s national team ahead of their friendly against Poland, scheduled for May 31, 2026, at Wrocław’s Tarczyński Arena. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM local time.
The lineup features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent:
- Goalkeeper – Anatoliy Trubin,
- Defenders – Oleksandr Romanchuk, Eduard Sarapiy, Mykola Matviyenko, and Vitaliy Mykolenko,
- Midfield – Oleh Ocheretko and Yehor Nazaryna (both from Shakhtar Donetsk),
- Attacking positions – Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Viktor Tsygankov (Girona), and Heorhiy Sudakov (Benfica),
- Striker – Roman Yaremchuk (Lyon).
The full starting XI is: Trubin – Romanchuk, Sarapiy, Matviyenko, Mykolenko – Ocheretko, Nazaryna – Yarmolenko, Tsygankov, Sudakov – Yaremchuk.
Historical Record Between Ukraine and Poland
Ukraine and Poland have faced off ten times in total, with half of those matches being friendlies. Poland has won the last two exhibition games. In November 2020, Poland triumphed 2-0 thanks to goals from forward Krzysztof Piątek and midfielder Jakub Moder. In June 2024, Poland secured another victory with goals from defender Mateusz Waluśkiewicz and midfielders Piotr Zieliński and Sebastian Romanchuk; Ukraine’s sole goal was scored by striker Artem Dovbyk. Overall, Ukraine has only won twice, both victories coming during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Notably, Ukraine will be without Mykhailo Mudryk, who received a four-year suspension from the English Football Association. He appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on February 26.
This match against Poland marks a key milestone for Andrea Maldera, who recently signed a two-year contract to lead Ukraine’s national team.
Beyond being a chance for new players to shine on the international stage, this friendly is a crucial step for Maldera in shaping his squad. Mudryk’s absence could force tactical adjustments, but it also opens opportunities for other footballers to prove their worth. Given the history between the two sides, a win here could provide a significant morale boost for Ukraine ahead of upcoming competitions.
As Ukraine prepares for this pivotal friendly against Poland, it's worth exploring the rationale behind Maldera's selections for the squad, including the inclusion of veteran Andriy Yarmolenko and the strategic roles of his assistant coaches. This insight could provide a deeper understanding of the team's dynamics as they aim to improve their historical record against their neighbors.