Michael O’Neill is urging his players to show a ruthless streak when they take on Ukraine in Belfast tomorrow night.
Northern Ireland currently top League B Group 2 in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League after securing two away wins and two home draws in a quadruple header in September/October.
One of those away wins was against Ukraine, whom they are preparing to face again at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park tomorrow (7.45 kick-off).
In his Manager’s View column in the matchday programme for the encounter, the senior men’s team boss points out: “Although we now go in to our final two B2 fixtures sitting at the top of our group on eight points, I nevertheless feel we could have achieved more in our home fixtures.
“I have always said positive results in home games are a must in any campaign. They provide a solid foundation on which to build.
“While we have not been beaten in Belfast during this Nations League campaign, I feel we could have got more out of our two goalless draws against Hungary and Georgia respectively.
“We certainly created plenty of chances across both of those games and I will be saying to the players before the encounter with Ukraine that we need to be more ruthless when it comes to converting chances.”
O’Neill will also be encouraging his side to show their defensive qualities once again.
He points out: “We are the only side left in the entire Nations League who have yet to concede a goal in this year's competition, and it would be great to keep that record intact.”
Northern Ireland defeated Ukraine by three goals to nil in Slovakia last month, with defender Ciaron Brown scoring twice.
However, the Northern Ireland manager feels Ukraine will be no pushovers this time around.
He says: “Our performance in Slovakia against Ukraine was first class.
“I think Ukraine will have learnt from that defeat in Trnava though and I expect them to really come at us.”
O’Neill believes his team will be “tested” in the game in Belfast and when they face second-placed Hungary (currently on seven points) in Budapest in their final group game on Tuesday.
But he adds: “We have withstood various onslaughts in the four group games so far and I believe we have the capability and the capacity to acquit ourselves well once again.
“The players have shown a ruthless streak away from home to secure two wins, so it’s time to bring that home.”
Ukraine got off to a winning start in their 2026 UEFA Nations League Group B2 campaign as they beat Hungary 1-0 in Budapest at the end of September.
A goalless draw in Georgia followed before Andrea Maldera’s side were beaten in back-to-back ‘home’ matches, played in Slovakia.
Northern Ireland were 3-0 winners against Ukraine on 2 October, while Hungary avenged their previous defeat with a 2-1 triumph on 5 October, leaving Ukraine third in the table ahead of tomorrow’s match.
Ukraine typically set up in a 3-5-2 formation that can also appear more like a 5-3-2 when they are out of possession.
They usually sit deep without the ball and look to transition quickly when they regain possession.
Ukraine’s wing-backs are key to this system and are tasked with pushing high up the pitch in possession to provide width, and they are also expected to track back quickly to support the back three when the opposition shifts play.
Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko missed Ukraine’s quartet of Nations League matches in September and October due to injury, but he is set to return to the starting XI tomorrow.
With his high level of endurance, Mykolenko is perfectly suited to the left wing-back role in Maldera’s 3-5-2 system, while Illya Krupskyi’s explosive pace, high work rate and strong attacking output makes him an ideal selection on the opposite flank.
Forward Ihor Krasnopir is in red hot form in the Ukraine Premier League currently. He scored nine goals in his opening 10 league matches of the season for Polissya Zhytomyr.
And another forward to watch out for is Artem Dovbyk. The 29-year-old, who has scored 11 goals in 41 appearances for his country, is now on loan with Bologna in Italy’s Serie A after moving to Italian top flight side Roma from La Liga outfit Girona for a fee of 38m euros in the summer of 2024.
Tomorrow night’s game can be viewed on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two Northern Ireland from 7.15. You can also listen to commentary on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster. And you can follow the game on Northern Ireland social channels.
