Andrea Maldera says Benfica midfielder’s injury affected Ukraine’s substitutions | OneFootball

Ukraine head coach Andrea Maldera said Georgiy Sudakov’s injury influenced his side’s game management and substitutions in their Nations League meeting with Northern Ireland, which finished 3-0.

According to Glorioso 1904, the Benfica midfielder left the pitch in tears and in visible discomfort, which alarmed the club, after the match staged in Slovakia.

The key incident arrived on 64 minutes by the touchline, when the 24-year-old was halted by a heavy challenge from Brodie Spencer that caught both legs.

Sudakov received treatment on the pitch for several minutes and tried to continue. The pain prevailed, and he came off on 68 minutes.

He limped off, visibly distressed and supported by Mykola Matvienko, adding to the anxiety over his fitness.

Maldera said he had planned to introduce Varfolomieiev after the interval, but the injury forced a rethink of substitutions. He added that single moments can be crucial, noting the first goal redirected the contest and made it more favourable to their opponents.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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