Ukrainian international Zabarnyi has started both of Cherries’ last two fixtures, back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and the Red Devils. Casemiro’s ninth minute scissor kick proved the difference between the two side, with Zabarnyi putting in an assured and astute performance at the back. A January signing from Dynamo Kyiv, injury prevented the centre-back from making his Premier League debut until April, with Zabaryni coming off the bench in the defeat to Brighton. In total, he has made four appearances in red and black, also playing 22 minutes of Cherries’ win at Southampton. Asked what he had made of his first starts for Cherries,
Illia Zabarnyi said: “We played against two good teams, both Crystal Palace, very nice players, and Manchester United with very big quality players and of course, it’s very good experience for me. I’m feeling good. (Manchester United) they attack a lot and they have good players, quality and fast players, very good dribbling and of course for a defender it’s best practice. When you defend against best players in the league, you improve. It’s a little unlucky. It’s a good performance. We were good, strong play. Now, it’s very hard because we play against a good team and big quality players and I think we do it well, but a little unlucky.”
Capped 24 times by Ukraine, Zabarnyi described the quality of the Premier League as “another level” to international football.
Illia Zabarnyi continued: “It’s another level, I think, because of course, it’s so fast. Everyone can score at every moment. And if you attack, one second (later), you are defending. It’s really important because you need to be ready every time. It’s really hard.”
With Cherries safe heading into the final game of the season, Zabarnyi believes the zero-pressure environment will allow him to improve ahead of pre-season and what he believes will be an even tougher campaign next season.
Illia Zabarnyi finished: “Now it’s important to start to play, start to improve, because next season it’s harder, I think, and we need to give the best version of us.
Cherries travel to relegation threatened Everton in their final game of the season on Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm).
Zabarnyi is expected to be called up for international duty with Ukraine this summer, for European Championship qualifiers against Malta and Macedonia, as well as a friendly with Germany.
