Euro 2020: Ukraine will play fearless football against England in quarterfinals, says manager Andriy Shevchenko

Fresh from their extra-time 2-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday, Ukraine manager Andriy Shevchenko warned England that his team would not be intimidated by the depth of Gareth Southgate’s side when they will lock horns in the quarterfinals in Rome on Saturday.

“England are a great team, they have a deep bench, an outstanding coaching staff and we are fully aware how tough this game is going to be,” said Shevchenko during a news conference.

“I saw all their three group matches, not today’s win over Germany because we had to prepare for our own game with Sweden. They are incredibly difficult to score against but their strength shouldn’t scare us.

“It should motivate us because everything is possible in football as in life and we will play our hearts out to give our fans even more to cheer about,” he added.

The Ukrainians booked their quarter-final berth with an extra-time 2-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday thanks to a last-gasp goal by Artem Dovbyk after England sent Germany home on the back of second-half efforts from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.

The game lost all rhythm and flow in scrappy extra time periods littered with fouls, injuries and an argument between the two coaches.

“It was a really hard game,” Shevchenko said. “Everyone understood that the prize at the end was great. We needed to be strong and the players showed it today.”

England are yet to concede in the tournament, having beaten Croatia and the Czech Republic 1-0 in the group stage while they also drew 0-0 with Scotland.

Man of the match Oleksandr Zinchenko, who scored Ukraine’s first goal and set up the second against Sweden, heaped praise on his Manchester City team mate Sterling who has scored three of England’s four goals in Euro 2020.

“Sterling is one of the best wingers in the world and right now he is making all the difference for England,” said Zinchenko.