Slovakia and Romania are all set to square up against each other in their final group game with a place in the knockout stage at stake.
All four teams in Group E are currently on three points, and they are very much alive in the race for a spot in the round of 16 heading into the final matchday. Third-placed Slovakia will go up against table-toppers Romania with the winner having a chance of securing first place.
Slovakia kick-started their Euro 2024 campaign with a sensational win over Belgium. They had a rock-solid defence and managed to keep the strongest team in the group quiet. But, things did not really go according to plan in the second outing as they lost 2-1 to Ukraine.
While they did open the scoring and were very much in the game for most parts, Ukraine managed to bounce back and they got the reward for their relentless pressure. Having lost last time out, Slovakia will look to bounce back as they dream of making it to the round of 16.
Romania have also had a similar faith in Euro 2024. They won their opening fixture against Ukraine 3-0, it was a dominant performance by them despite the fact that they had a limited amount of the ball and only created a handful of chances.
Unfortunately, they could not repeat their heroics against Belgium as Kevin De Bruyne led his team to a 2-0 win. Despite having much more of the ball in this fixture, Romania could not get the points they wanted to secure their place in the next round.
Slovakia will finish top of the table if they win and Ukraine do not beat Belgium. But, if they lose to Romania and Belgium avoid defeat against Ukraine, Slovakia might not make it to the next round.
As far as Romania are concerned, if they avoid defeat they will finish in the top two. But, a win could help them top the group if Belgiuam do not defeat Ukraine. But, a defeat against Slovakia could lead to their exit if Ukraine avoid defeat in their fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Slovakia
Slovakia do not have any injury concerns and are expected to have the same XI that started in their previous outing despite their defeat. They will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Martin Dubravka will continue in goal. Peter Pekarik and David Hancko will be the full-backs for them, while Denis Vavro will feature in the centre of the park alongside skipper Milan Skriniar.
In the centre of the park, Stanislav Lobotka will feature alongside Juraj Kucka and Ondrej Duda. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game and ensure they dominate the proceedings.
Ivan Schranz and Robert Bozenik will feature on the flanks for them. While they will provide the width to their attacks, Lukas Haraslin will be leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Haraslin, Bozenik
Romania
Romania also do not have any injury concerns, and they are unlikely to any major changes to the XI that started in their last outing. The visitors will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Florin Nita will be in goal.
Andrei Ratiu and Nicusor Bancu will be the full-backs for them, while Radu Dragusin will start at the heart of the defence alongside Andrei Burca. Razvan Marin will be the defensive midfielder, and he will have the support of Nicolae Stanciu and Marius Marin who will featured in a much more advanced role.
Dennis Man will feature on the right flank, while Valentin Mihaila is expected to continue on the left after being included in their starting XI last time out. Denis Dragus will be leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; Razvan Marin, Marius Marin, Stanciu; Man, Dragus, Mihaila
Key Stats
- Romania have only won one out of their last five matches.
- Slovakia have won 10 out of their last 15 games.
- Romania have not made it beyond the group stage since Euro 2000 but they do have a opportunity of doing it this time around.
- All four teams in Group E are level on three points after two matches, something that has happened for the first time at the Euros.
- Both Romania and Slovakia are heading into this fixture on the back of a defeat and a win here could take them to the next round.
Player to Watch
Stanislav Lobotka
The Napoli defensive midfielder has been one of the standout performers for Slovakia. While he is not the one who gets the goals or the assists, Lobotka is the one who shields the backline and helps them control the tempo of the game. He has been one of their best players in the tournament and if does come good against Romania, they will surely have a chance of making it to the knockout rounds.
Prediction
Slovakia 1-1 Romania
Given the kind of form both teams have been in at the Euros and the fact that a spot in the knockout stage is at stake, both teams might have a touch defensive approach and we might not see many goals here. In the end, they could end up playing out a draw. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between Slovakia and Romania.
