After Slovakia's impressive opening victory over Belgium, they'll be looking to build on that momentum when they take on a struggling Ukraine side in their second Group E match at Düsseldorf Arena on Friday.
Coach Francesco Calzona and his team are well aware of the pitfalls that can await teams at major tournaments. At the 2021 Euros, Slovakia started strongly with a win over Poland, only to suffer defeats against Sweden and Spain and exit the competition early. This time around, they're determined not to let that happen again. Winning their first match has given the team a boost of confidence, but they know they can't afford to let up against Ukraine.
Their opponents, on the other hand, are reeling from a disastrous 0-3 loss to Romania. The team, which reached the quarterfinals in the last tournament, was rocked by some costly mistakes from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Another defeat could spell elimination for them, and coach Serhiy Rebrov is considering making some changes to try and turn things around. One possible move could see the experienced 34-year-old captain Taras Stepanenko replaced by the younger 22-year-old Volodymyr Brazhko in defensive midfield. Brazhko was instrumental in helping Ukraine qualify for the tournament through the playoffs.
Slovakia's squad boasts a wealth of experience, with an average starting lineup age of over 30 against Belgium. Key players like defender Peter Pekarik (37) and midfielder Juraj Kucka (35) will be looking to continue their strong form alongside goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (35). In contrast, Ukraine's team against Romania was significantly younger, with an average age nearly four and a half years lower.
Historically, the teams have had a pretty even record against each other. In their previous encounters, Slovakia has secured three wins, Ukraine two, and three matches have ended in draws. The most recent match in 2018 saw Slovakia come out on top with a convincing 4-1 victory.
This match at Düsseldorf Arena is shaping up to be a crucial one for both teams. Slovakia will be looking to use their experience and recent success to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the knockout stages, while Ukraine needs a win to keep their hopes of progressing in the tournament alive. It's sure to be an exciting contest with plenty at stake for both sides.