Two teams which experienced very contrasting starts to their Euro 2024 campaigns, Slovakia and Ukraine, face off in an intriguing Group E clash on Friday.
A memorable 1-0 win over Belgium, courtesy of two fortunate disallowed Belgian goals, put the Slovakians within touching distance of a place in the knockouts.
Meanwhile, Ukraine suffered a demoralising 3-0 defeat at the hands of unfancied Romania.
All is not lost for Serhiy Rebrov’s team, far from it, and it is certainly plausible that the two sides beaten on matchday one go on to both win in this round of games.
But, with Belgium up next, Ukraine know that one more hammer blow could be terminal for their hopes of a second trip to the Euros knockouts.
It is hard to see Francesco Calzona making many changes to his Slovakia team.
Denis Vavro was an injury worry to face Belgium but made the starting XI while Ondrej Duda came off with cramp late on, but is not yet said to be a worry for this game.
A disastrous start threatens to derail Ukraine’s campaign but Slovakia were a little fortunate to beat Belgium. If that luck doesn’t hold, they lack the firepower to be considered favourites.
Credit: standard.co.uk
