According to French media outlet Foot Mercato, Zabarnyi has been consistently criticized for his limited appearances this season with Paris Saint-Germain, yet Luis Enrique continues to publicly support him.

Things have not been easy for Zabarnyi lately. More than a year after joining Paris Saint-Germain, the Ukrainian defender, who arrived from Bournemouth for 63 million euros, has struggled to convince. PSG initially saw him as an ideal signing, hoping he would bring competition to the defense and prepare for Marquinhos's eventual decline. However, Zabarnyi's first season fell short of expectations. Despite making 31 appearances for PSG across all competitions, 30 of them as a starter, and scoring 1 goal, he remained with the club this summer despite departure rumors. His partnership with Russian goalkeeper Safonov also sparked much discussion. The club had hoped he would have a fresh start.

But so far, that expectation has not truly materialized. This season, he has only played 2 matches, totaling 180 minutes. The first was the French Super Cup on August 16, where PSG lost 0-1 to Lens, and he made a marking error on Thauvin's goal. He then appeared in the Champions League match against Bratislava on September 9. Although PSG won 6-1, facing clearly inferior opponents, Zabarnyi still made a mistake during their only goal. Beyond this, he has been on the bench 5 times—once in the European Super Cup against Aston Villa and four times in Ligue 1. Enrique also did not include him in the squad against Brest.

However, amid a new wave of criticism from sports media, the Asturian coach stood up to defend his player. Enrique stated: "I remember that Barcola, Dembélé, Doué, and Ousmane were criticized. This is normal. I think that's just how it is. We must emphasize the fact that we are one of the best clubs in the world. I am very happy with my squad." Nevertheless, the message Zabarnyi received is clear: he must perform better, as his current playing time is far too limited. The international break allowed him to regain his match rhythm, earn playing time, and build the confidence and stability required for his position, especially within the Ukrainian national team, where he remains one of the leaders. He acknowledged this after Ukraine's 1-0 victory over Hungary on Friday.

Zabarnyi said: "I have experience. You know, I have played many matches for the national team—57 appearances and 3 goals. I know this team very well. We have been through ups and downs. I have been with this team for a long time. So, of course, my task is not just to be on the field and do my job, but also to help my teammates and convey the right message so that everyone approaches the game with the same mindset. I am not doing this alone. We also have teammates who help us." The defender also spoke about the changes since Maldera took over: "The atmosphere has really changed. It's like a breath of fresh air. It's really very good."

He added: "As I said before, Maldera may be Italian, but he has a Ukrainian heart. He fully understands the situation here. He lives in Ukraine now, knows how difficult travel is, and how tough life is for Ukrainians. You know, I think this touches everyone. In the locker room, everyone listens to him very seriously and respects him greatly. So I think this is very positive." However, the conflict that erupted after the Hungary match was less encouraging. Zabarnyi stated: "That was just emotions running high. These things happen on a football field. I went over to try and calm the situation, to get our players away from there. Sports shouldn't be like that. I understand—it's football, everyone is different, everyone wants to win. But for me, as a football player, the most important thing is to maintain an exemplary attitude, professionalism, and respect for everyone."

Therefore, while Zabarnyi has taken on the role of a veteran leader off the field, he has not fulfilled his tasks on the field. At least, that's how the Ukrainian media sees it; they didn't spare him after the match. Tribuna's readers gave him a rating of 6.1, while the Ukrainian media outlet itself gave him a 6.5, writing: "Zabarnyi made mistakes again. Dangerous turnovers, positional errors—such as the cross in the box where he misjudged the situation and left his position. Once the national team's best and most consistent player, he has yet to rediscover that level. His poor form continues."

"Sport" was equally dissatisfied. The media outlet stated: "The Ukrainian national team delivered a disappointing performance in Maldera's first official match in charge. This was evident from the start of the game and for part of the second half. Our Italian coach must also be concerned about the obvious defensive problems. After all, apart from Krupskiy, who made his first appearance on the right side of the defense, the backline at the Puskás Arena still looked familiar and traditional. However, mistakes were inevitable and obvious. And one of those making obvious mistakes was Zabarnyi himself, a player from a top European club."

Former Ukrainian international Oleksandr Kucher also spoke about his compatriot's struggles. He said: "Illya has been criticized for a long time. I think he can handle this situation. He is still a leader for the Ukrainian team. At some point, confidence gets worn down because the criticism is justified. I think he will come back. He is a good player and a strong person, and I think he can get through this difficult period that every player experiences." This difficult period has been ongoing for some time. In the match against Georgia, Zabarnyi hopes to finally convince everyone, as he has faced significant criticism in both Ukraine and Paris over the past few months.

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