Vorskla Poltava head coach Yuriy Maksymov expressed frustration following his team's defeat to Chornomorets Odesa in the 28th round of the Ukrainian Premier League. Despite taking a first-half lead at home, the 'green and whites' surrendered their advantage after the break.
"We played very well in the first half, leading 1-0, and just needed to maintain our performance," Maksymov stated after the match. "Instead, we retreated deep into our penalty area and simply couldn't get out, just defending desperately."
The coach was particularly disappointed with his substitutes' impact on the game. "I'm dissatisfied with the players who came off the bench. In matches like this, they need to provide support. Ostrovsky seemed lost out there. These things happen sometimes."
According to Statbet analysis, Vorskla has struggled with second-half performances in several recent fixtures, highlighting a concerning pattern for Maksymov's side.
The Ukrainian specialist also pointed to squad depth issues affecting his team's stamina. "You understand it comes down to skill level. The guys are already playing at their maximum. We need a stronger bench to rotate players effectively. Not everyone can play the full 90 minutes—some can handle 60, others just 45. Our entire game plan currently relies on the same few players."
Despite being satisfied with his squad's physical condition and training sessions before the match, Maksymov admitted complete bewilderment at their second-half collapse. "Some players simply disappeared today. I don't understand why. We completely failed in the second half."
Vorskla Poltava will look to bounce back in their next fixture when they travel to face LNZ Cherkasy in the upcoming round of the Ukrainian Premier League.
