Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Ukraine could line up for Friday’s Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia in Group E.
Ukraine left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko remains a doubt for Friday’s Euro 2024 Group E encounter against Slovakia in Dusseldorf.
The Everton left-back was forced to sit out Ukraine’s dismal 3-0 defeat against Romania due to a foot injury he sustained in a warm-up game against Moldova.
Ukraine would ideally want to instil Mykolenko at left-back so Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko can move into midfield.
However, Zinchenko will continue on the left of defence if Mykolenko fails to prove his fitness in time, and he is likely to be joined in the back four by Yukhym Konoplya, Illia Zabarnyi and Mykola Matvienko.
The backline is expected to offer protection to Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin, who is set to retain his place despite producing a subpar display against Romania.
Ruslan Malinovskyi was one of five substitutes used in the opening game, and the Genoa midfielder could be brought into the side to add fresh legs to a midfield that should feature Taras Stepanenko and Heorhiy Sudakov.
Girona’s Viktor Tsygankov was withdrawn just after the hour mark against Romania, but he could get another chance to impress after starting each of the last seven competitive international games that he has been available for.
Tsygankov will look to cut inside from the right flank, while Ukraine’s threat from the left wing will come from Chelsea attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk.
While Artem Dovbyk endured a tough outing on Monday, he is still expected to get the nod over Roman Yaremchuk, which will give him the opportunity to show the sort of form that saw him finish the 2023-24 campaign as La Liga’s top scorer.
Ukraine possible starting lineup: Lunin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Zincheko; Sudakov, Stepanenko, Malinovskyi; Tsygankov, Mudryk, Dovbyk
>Click here to see how Slovakia could line up for this contest