Roman Yaremchuk the forward compelled to rise to the occasion versus Sweden
The 30 year old forward is poised to feature in potentially the most vital game of his professional life, after frequently yielding his position as the primary attacker for the Blue and Yellow.
There are no fresh injuries. We consulted the medical staff this morning and nobody mentioned any problems.
With that statement, Serhiy Rebrov sought to eliminate any remaining uncertainties regarding Roman Yaremchuk s availability to confront Sweden, where he is anticipated to begin as Ukraine’s central striker in place of Artem Dovbyk, who is out with a significant thigh problem.
The issue lies in the fact that the player loaned to Olympique Lyonnais sat out the encounter with AS Monaco last weekend because of an injury.
He took a knock to the Achilles tendon prior to the game. We held off until the final minute hoping for recovery, but he was unable to participate, clarified Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca during a media briefing.
A Ukrainian forward line in need of a hero
Another setback for the Zbirna, who lack Dovbyk along with their skipper Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mykhaylo Mudryk, who continues to serve a suspension for doping. We competed in our qualification games without our strongest lineup, much like Sweden, Rebrov noted ahead of the fixture, underscoring the persistent injury woes impacting Ukraine.
Therefore, watching Yaremchuk practise without apparent difficulty on the day before this pivotal national contest became the key point of interest during the 15 minutes accessible to reporters. Although he showed up tardily, his presence with Oleksandr Zubkov allayed the worries of the numerous Ukrainian reporters there.
Per Andrew Todos, a Ukrainian reporter who follows the Zbirna regularly, the 1.91m tall forward is expected to spearhead the offence, over Vladyslav Vanat, who opened as Ukraine’s lead striker versus Iceland last November.
His attributes align better with the challenges Sweden will present, Todos assessed. Could this rapid comeback relate to Fonseca’s unique bond with Ukraine, the origin of his spouse and upbringing place for his offspring? The reporter believes the Lyon head coach deliberately spared his forward with this vital international period in view.
During the earlier part of the day, Yaremchuk shared with the Ukrainian association: Fonseca maintains a distinctive tie to Ukraine. I am aware he welcomed young Ukrainians to the training facility. He extended best wishes and hopes we advance to the World Cup.
A role demanding fulfilment
The forward, borrowed from Olympiacos, bears an immense burden; at 30, he needs to guide Ukraine to their second World Cup appearance ever, two decades following their debut in 2006. This comes as he grapples with challenges in Ligue 1, netting only a single goal since joining France at the close of the transfer period, in the Coupe de France versus Lens.
Yaremchuk has not proven significantly more effective for Ukraine, limited by a calf issue; he failed to find the net for the national side in 2025 and has steadily dropped in the selection hierarchy, even taking a substitute role in Ukraine’s concluding group match against Iceland last November.
Indeed, one must trace back to November 19, 2024, for his most recent strike for the Blue and Yellow, during a UEFA Nations League fixture with Albania.
Transformed into a temporary fix owing to Dovbyk’s ailments, Yaremchuk confronts a formidable test against Sweden this Thursday. Moreover, the strain extends beyond the pitch, Rebrov has often emphasised the match’s significance for the entire nation, offering a moment of joy to a country enduring a four year conflict.
Originating from Lviv, a western Ukrainian city that endured intense Russian bombardment on Tuesday despite typically avoiding such attacks, Yaremchuk is bound to possess additional drive.