Ukraine team manager Serhiy Rebrov hopes for a corresponding reaction from his team. “We have to show a completely different Ukraine against the Slovaks.” At least a look at the statistics gives hope: Ukraine has not lost two games in a row since 2020. In order to go into the final game against Belgium with a certain chance, this series must continue.
The Ukrainians should be particularly concerned that, despite a team packed with stars such as Olexandr Zinchenko (Arsenal), Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Chelsea striker Mykhailo Mudryk, Viktor Syhankov and La Liga top scorer Artem Dovbyk (both Girona), they were barely able to create chances in the first game and were too clumsy in front of goal. But things were also lacking at the back. The defense was unable to stand up to the straightforward Romanian strikers.
“You have disappointed our fans”
“They know that their performance was bad. We represent a big country that has been fighting for its own freedom for two years. They have disappointed our fans,” said Rebrow about his stars. One of them is Dowbyk, who did not want to look for any excuses. “You have to fight for the results on the pitch, not on paper. We still have two games left and can still improve our situation.” However, Slovakia, who won 1-0 against Belgium, will pose a big challenge. “It will be even more difficult against them than it was against Romania,” the striker suspected.
Second matchday
Friday, 3 p.m.:
Slovakia – Ukraine
Düsseldorf, SR Oliver (ENG)
Possible setups:
Slovakia : Dubravka – Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko – Kucka, Lobotka, Duda – Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
Ukraine: Lunin – Konoplja, Sabarnyj, Matwikenko, Sintschenko – Braschko, Schaparenko – Zyhankow, Sudakow, Mudryk – Dowbyk
Dowbyk expressed particular respect for Slovakian central defenders Denis Vavro and Milan Skriniar. “With Lukaku, they defended excellently against one of the best strikers in the tournament,” said the Spanish legionnaire.
Slovaks remain cautious
For Slovakia, attacker Tomas Suslov is facing a special match, as his father is Ukrainian. The 22-year-old Verona player was surprised by the Ukrainian defeat, but it does not necessarily bring him any advantage.
“The result can make them even more dangerous. We don’t expect an easier game than against Belgium. If we want to be successful, we have to at least do the same thing again,” said Suslov. A good performance in the areas of organization, pressing and counterattacking was the basis for the successful start.
“We don’t expect anything”
The necessary luck was also needed in the finish when Lukaku’s equalizer was disallowed due to a much-discussed handball by Lois Openda. “It was great to beat the third-placed team in the world rankings. But we’re not expecting anything,” said Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
This also has to do with past experiences. In 2021, the team was eliminated after a 2-1 win against Poland and two subsequent defeats against Sweden (0-1) and Spain (0-5). “Of course we have learned from that,” emphasised midfielder Ondrej Duda. Team boss Francesco Calzona is also hoping for this, saying the following in Düsseldorf on Thursday: “There is nothing to celebrate for us yet. We have not yet achieved our goal.”
