UEFA Euro 2024 Group Stage
25 June, 2024 - Indian Date
Fußball Arena München
MATCH TIMES
India
9:30 PM
UAE
8:00 PM
Saudi Arabia
07:45 PM
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LIVE STREAMING
Slovakia possible starting lineup: Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, BozenÃk, Haraslin
Romania possible starting lineup: Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; R Marin, M Marin, Stanciu; Man, Dragus, Mihaila
Match Preview
In the most hotly contested group at Euro 2024, third-placed Slovakia are set to face leaders Romania on Wednesday at Deutsche Bank Park in their final group stage game. The winner of this match could secure the top spot in Group E and advance to the knockout rounds.
All four teams in Group E have three points after the first two matches, marking the first time in Euros history that all teams in a group are tied on points at this stage. Slovakia and Romania both lost their previous matches, with Slovakia falling to Ukraine and Romania being defeated by Belgium.
This is Slovakia’s third consecutive Euro tournament appearance, and they aim to avoid a repeat of their 2020 exit at the group stage with three points. They started strong with a victory over Belgium, featuring standout performances from players like Kevin De Bruyne and Amadou Onana. However, a recent 2-1 loss to Ukraine has put them in a precarious position, needing at least a draw against Romania to have a realistic chance of advancing. Slovakia will finish first if they win and Ukraine does not beat Belgium. Conversely, a loss coupled with a Belgium win or draw will eliminate them.
Under manager Francesco Calzona, who has been at the helm since August 2022, Slovakia has seen a resurgence, including 10 wins in their last 15 games. They only lost twice during their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, both defeats coming against Portugal. Despite a recent loss to Ukraine, they were unbeaten in their previous four matches, winning three of them.
Romania, on the other hand, will advance to the round of 16 with a win or a draw against Slovakia. They will top the group if they win and Belgium fails to defeat Ukraine. However, a loss for Romania, combined with a Ukraine win or draw, will see them eliminated. Romania’s 2-0 loss to Belgium highlighted a quality gap, but they had moments of good play. Managed by Eduard Iordanescu since January 2022, Romania had an impressive qualifying campaign, finishing ahead of Switzerland and conceding just four goals in 10 games.
Romania’s form before the tournament was mixed, with no wins in their four games leading up to Euro 2024. Nonetheless, they lost only once in the 15 matches before the tournament and conceded just nine goals in that period. Their victory against Ukraine showcased their ability to counter-attack effectively, absorbing pressure and transitioning quickly to attack.
Slovakia has no injury concerns heading into the match, and manager Calzona is likely to stick with the same lineup that played against Ukraine. Key players include goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, captain Milan Skriniar, and midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, supported by Ondrej Duda, Juraj Kucka, and striker Robert Bozenik.
Romania might see Valentin Mihaila start again after his inclusion against Belgium, although he was substituted for Ianis Hagi during that match. Goalkeeper Florin Nita, center-backs Radu Dragusin and Andrei Burca, and midfielders Marius Marin, Razvan Marin, and Nicolae Stanciu are expected to play crucial roles, with Denis Dragus likely leading the attack.
This decisive match will determine which team progresses in the tournament, with both Slovakia and Romania vying for a place in the knockout rounds and potentially the top spot in Group E.