Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Slovakia could line up for Friday’s Euro 2024 clash with Ukraine in Group E.
Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona may be tempted to select an unchanged lineup for Friday’s Euro 2024 clash with Ukraine in Dusseldorf.
Calzona could not have wished for a better start to his first major tournament in the Slovakia dugout as he watched his side pull off an upset to claim a narrow 1-0 victory over Belgium – a country ranked 45 places above them in the FIFA World Rankings.
Buoyed from keeping a clean sheet against the Red Devils, Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will retain his place between the posts for the second group match.
The experienced shot-stopper will be guarded by a central defensive pairing of captain Milan Skriniar and Denis Vavro, while Feyenoord’s David Hancko is poised to operate on the left side of a back four.
On the opposite flank, Hertha Berlin’s 37-year-old right-back Peter Pekarik is set to keep his spot as he continues to edge closer to equalling Slovakia’s all-time appearance record which is currently held by Marek Hamsik, who is working as part of Calzona’s backroom staff at the tournament.
Ondrej Duda was withdrawn in the closing stages of the opening game due to cramp, but the midfield is expected to be fit to start at the Dusseldorf Arena.
The Hellas Verona man should be joined in the Slovakia engine room by Juraj Kucka and Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka, with the latter set to operate in the number six role.
Lukas Haraslin and Monday’s match-winner Ivan Schranz will provide the width, although the latter is treading a disciplinary tightrope after picking up a booking against Belgium.
Robert Bozenik will have the responsibility of leading the Slovakia line, with the forward looking to add to his seven-goal international tally.
Slovakia possible starting lineup: Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Haraslin, Bozenik
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