Akhmat Grozny coach Andrei Talalayev has blasted the recent form of Manchester City wing-back Oleks Zinchenko.
Just as Zinchenko and Ukraine are preparing for Tuesday night's Euro 2020 round of 16 clash with Sweden, Talalayev has expressed his frustration and anger towards the talented wing-back. The Akhmat coach has been left unimpressed by the attitude shown by Zinchenko during the tournament.
Talalayev believes Zinchenko was at fault for City's Champions League final defeat to Chelsea and also when Ukraine lost to Holland in Euro 2020.
He told Sport-Express: "Zinchenko is a separate article. We all admire that he made his way to Manchester City, and rightfully so. But the club lost the Champions League due to the fact that he did not back up, and the team lost to the Dutch after they scored the third goal from under him.
"Yes, as a footballer he has certain qualities, brings a lot of benefits. But he lost two key episodes this year in his career. It's good that the Ukrainians have gone further."
Talalayev believes Zinchenko avoided scrutiny thanks to Ukraine successfully reaching the knockout phase of the tournament. He says the City defender should be showing greater positivity as a senior player.
He continued: "If they had not passed, everyone would have paid more attention to the negative emotions that Zinchenko demonstrated to teammates and fans in the third game. First of all, you must ask yourself! In my opinion, the coaches of the Ukrainian national team should work in this direction. The way he behaved in the match with Austria, in my opinion, is unacceptable."
Moscow born Talalayev took charge of Akhmat last year. Interestingly for the new season, he will count on Zinchenko's former City teammate Yaya Toure as an assistant coach.
- updated June 29
