Group E is delicately balanced ahead of Wednesday’s final round of fixtures with Slovakia and Romania both targeting a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024.
By Graham Ruthven
Slovakia produced the biggest shock (by ranking) of the tournament so far by beating Belgium in their first game while Romania also upset the odds by putting three goals past Ukraine in an emphatic 3-0 victory.
Francesco Calzona has named an unchanged team for Slovakia’s two Euro 2024 fixtures so far and could stick with the same lineup for Wednesday’s match in Frankfurt, although Dávid Hancko’s fitness is a concern after coming off injured against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Romania’s threat on the counter attack will be key to their game plan against Slovakia with Valentin Mihăilă’s pace something that could see the 24-year-old keep his place in the team after starting against Belgium.
Stanislav Lobotka has caught the eye, controlling matches for Slovakia in central midfield. The Napoli star is averaging 73.5 touches per match and is the all-round central operator that could allow Slovakia to dominate Wednesday’s crucial group decider. Slovakia need Lobotka to be in top form.
Romania will also look to the centre of the pitch for a difference-maker with Nicolae Stanciu the mercurial playmaker capable of producing something out of nothing, just as he did by scoring from distance against Ukraine. The 31-year-old will look to get in between the lines and unsettle the opposition defence.
Defensively, Slovakia have a strong spine in the shape of Milan Škriniar and Martin Dúbravka with Radu Drăgușin the bedrock of the Romanian backline. Wednesday’s match could come down to the strength of the two defences and who can hold their nerve. A mistake at the back could prove decisive.
After two games, Romania are averaging the third-lowest average share of possession (36.9%) of all the teams in Euro 2024, highlighting their favoured approach of sitting deep, absorbing pressure and hitting out on the counter attack. Slovakia are ranked only 15th for average possession per match, hinting at a cagey encounter between the two Group E rivals.
Slovakia and Romania already have three points on the board which means a draw could be enough to send them both through to the round of 16. However, this depends on what happens in the other Group E fixture between Ukraine and Belgium, who are in the same position, both sitting on three points each. Slovakia and Romania’s meeting might be a slow burn, but it could ultimately finish in chaos.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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