A phenomenon of precocity humiliated by France
Pure product of the formation of Dynamo kyiv, Ilya Zabarnyi was quickly launched at the professional level. Starting at 18 and 10 days old against the FK Desna (0-0), he put everyone to agree directly, playing in the Champions League five days later during a preliminary round against Az Alkmaar (2-0). He became the second youngest player to evolve in the European Cup with the Dynamo kyiv behind Maksim Koval (17 years and 251 days). Just behind, he is selected for the first time in the Ukrainian selection when he had only 7 appearances to his credit. Launched against France on October 7, 2020, he exceeded Andriy Shevchenko by becoming the 2nd youngest Ukrainian international behind Sergiy Rebrov at 18 years, 1 month and 5 days. A complicated first selection because the Zbirna had been humiliated 7-1 by France during this friendly match.
Revealed at Euro 2020
Capped 47 times with Ukraine (2 goal), Ilya Zabarnyi has been indisputable in selection since its inception. On October 13, 2020 during a 1-0 victory against Spain, he then delivered his first reference match with the Zbirna. Summoned to Euro 2020, he had delivered a solid competition with his country which he helped to qualify for the first time in his history in the quarterfinals with in particular a heroic finals against Sweden (2-1 after extra time). If the Euro 2024 went less well with an outing in the group phase despite 4 points, Ilya Zabarnyi remains a boss of Ukraine and Euro 2020 allowed him to offer himself a greater exhibition.
A new “Pacho” profile?
Defender Reference with Bournemouth in the Premier League, Ilya Zabarnyi is distinguished in particular by his important physical qualities. Duel player, clean whether on the ground or in the air field, Ilya Zabarnyi has 22 yellow cards and 4 red cards in 5 years of career. A fairly honest assessment given the commitment he shows in his game. Quick and rarely exceeded, he was the perfect complement of Dean Huijsen this season. If the Spaniard has distinguished himself by his footing, conduction of the ball and his cleanliness, Ilya Zabarnyi was more in intensity and risk taking. He also produced 4 successful tackles (only French Maxence Lacroix does better with 5 successful tackles) in the position of last defender proof of his great self -confidence. If it is less in view than Dean Huijsen on the recovery, Ilya Zabarnyi remains very good in this area with in particular a quality game. If his profile is closer to that of Willian Pacho when compared to the central defenders of PSG, Ilya Zabarnyi will rather compete with Marquinhos for the post of a right axial central defender.
Involved in the war in Ukraine
Like many teammates of his selection, Ilya Zabarnyi is affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine. In an interview for The Timeshe had notably admitted having thought of taking up arms to help his country: “I wondered: what can I do for my country? I thought of going back to fight. I can just take up arms and learn. I can say: “Stop, I don't want to play football”, but no, I have to play. The Ukrainian people need me to say to the world (…) When the war broke out, I gave a lot of money for our army, for our people, for my friends who go to war and defend our country. It is a heroic action. We simply help their families because they are alone. I have food, accommodation, safety, and others do not have it. I have to help. If the Ukrainians do not help Ukrainians, then why should Europeans, Americans or English should help?He notably distinguished himself by insulting US President Donald Trump after a meeting that had gone wrong with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky: “It is also worth adding which asshole is Trump.” His position against the Russian invasion is marked and displayed. It remains to be seen whether the possibility of being a teammate of the Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov will be a problem or not for Ilya Zabarnyi given the political context.
A 13th Ukrainian in Ligue 1?
In the event of arrival in Ligue 1, ILYA ZABARNYI could become the 13th Ukrainian player to evolve in Ligue 1.. The Nice Oleksandr Bogdan Skotsen and Ostap Steskiv had arrived in 1948 when Pierre Pchenitchnyi landed in 1951. Ukrainian player with the most Ligue 1 matches to his credit (58 meetings) Zavarov will have shone in the Nancy jersey. If the passages of Pavlo Yakovenko (1992) in Sochaux, Sergiy Skachenko (1999) in Metz, Maksym Levitsky (2020) in Saint-Étienne, Yuriy Yakovenko (2014) in Ajaccio and Mykola Kukharevych (2021) in Troyes are anecdotal, three players were seen more recently. Little used this season, Eduard Sobol is evolving on the Strasbourg side. Danylo Ignatenko went on the side of Bordeaux between January 2022 and June 2024 when Ruslan Malinovskyi wore the Olympique de Marseillependant six -month jersey between January 2023 and August 2023. Aside from Oleksandr Zavarov, the Ukrainians did not really shine in Ligue 1 and Ilya Zabarnyi will have to do better than them.
