Azerbaijan Vs Slovakia

Slovakia will be looking to get back on track in Group 1 of League C in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League when they face Azerbaijan on Monday night. Having made a strong start to the campaign, Slovakia are currently second in the group, level on seven points with leaders Sweden. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan finds itself at the opposite end of the spectrum, sitting at the bottom of the group without a single point after three matches. This match provides an opportunity for both teams to either strengthen their positions or regain some lost ground as the competition progresses.

Azerbaijan's Struggles in the Nations League

Azerbaijan came into this year's Nations League with hopes of improving on their recent performances. In the 2022-23 edition of the tournament, they narrowly missed out on promotion to League B, finishing second in Group 3 of League C, just three points behind Kazakhstan. That campaign gave Azerbaijan a sense of hope that they were on the verge of achieving greater things in European football. Unfortunately, those hopes have been dashed so far in the 2024-25 edition.

Under the guidance of new manager Fernando Santos, Azerbaijan has struggled significantly. Santos, who took over as the national team coach in June 2024, has yet to find the winning formula. Azerbaijan has lost all three of their matches in Group 1, suffering defeats to Sweden, Slovakia, and Estonia. These losses have left them at the bottom of the table, with no points and a mounting sense of frustration.

Santos’ arrival was supposed to mark a new beginning for Azerbaijan. Known for his previous managerial success, including winning the 2016 European Championship with Portugal, Santos was expected to bring a sense of stability and tactical acumen to the Azerbaijani side. However, his tenure so far has been marked by struggles, and he has not yet been able to instill a winning mentality in his players. Monday’s match against Slovakia represents another chance for Santos to turn things around and claim his first victory as Azerbaijan's manager.

Despite their current form, Azerbaijan has shown that they are capable of pulling off surprise results, particularly at home. Their last victory came in a friendly match against Kazakhstan on June 11, 2024, where they secured a 1-0 win. In terms of competitive matches, their most recent triumph was a 3-0 victory over Sweden in November 2023 during the previous Nations League campaign. While these results are few and far between, they demonstrate that Azerbaijan can pose a threat when things fall into place for them.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has recent positive memories against Slovakia, having beaten them 2-1 in the Nations League back in September 2022. That victory serves as a reminder that while Slovakia may be considered the stronger team on paper, Azerbaijan is not without the ability to cause an upset. Fernando Santos will be looking to draw inspiration from that result as his side prepares to face the Slovakians again.

Slovakia's Fight for Group Supremacy

Slovakia, on the other hand, enters Monday’s contest with high expectations. They have made a solid start to their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign, and they currently find themselves in a closely contested battle with Sweden at the top of Group 1. Slovakia is level on points with the Swedes, with both teams sitting on seven points after three matches. However, Slovakia’s inferior goal difference means they occupy second place heading into this crucial fixture.

The Falcons began their Nations League journey in impressive fashion, securing back-to-back victories against Estonia and Azerbaijan. These early wins gave them momentum and put them in a strong position in the group. However, their most recent outing ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Sweden on Friday evening, a match that showcased both Slovakia’s resilience and attacking capabilities.

In that game, Slovakia found themselves trailing 2-0 on home soil against a formidable Swedish side. It looked like a defeat was inevitable, but a spirited comeback led by striker David Strelec helped Slovakia salvage a point. Strelec scored twice in quick succession to level the score, and Slovakia ultimately held on to secure a draw. The result may have been a missed opportunity to claim all three points, but it also demonstrated Slovakia’s fighting spirit and ability to recover from difficult situations.

Manager Francesco Calzona, who has been in charge of the Slovak national team since 2022, will be well aware of the importance of Monday’s match. A win against Azerbaijan would keep Slovakia firmly in the race for top spot in Group 1 and potentially set up a decisive showdown with Sweden later in the campaign. Calzona has built a team that is tactically disciplined and hard to break down, qualities that will be crucial as they navigate the challenges of the Nations League.

Slovakia’s recent performances in international tournaments have been a source of pride for the nation. They competed in Euro 2024 earlier this year, reaching the round of 16 for just the second time in their history. In that knockout stage match, Slovakia came agonizingly close to pulling off a major upset against England. After 90 minutes of regular time, the match was tied 1-1, but England eventually scored in extra time to win 2-1 and eliminate Slovakia from the competition. Despite the disappointment, Slovakia's performance in the tournament was seen as a positive step forward for the team, and they will be looking to build on that success in the Nations League.

The 2022-23 Nations League campaign, however, was less successful for Slovakia. They finished third in Group 3 of League C, three points behind second-placed Azerbaijan. That campaign was viewed as a disappointment, as Slovakia had been expected to challenge for promotion to League B but ultimately fell short. This time around, they are determined to avoid a repeat of that disappointment and secure a higher finish.

Key Players and Tactical Approaches

As Slovakia prepares for their clash with Azerbaijan, key players such as David Strelec and Stanislav Lobotka will be central to their hopes of securing a positive result. Strelec, who was the hero in the match against Sweden with his two crucial goals, has emerged as a key attacking threat for Slovakia. His ability to find the back of the net in important moments will be vital if Slovakia is to break down Azerbaijan's defense and claim all three points.

In midfield, Lobotka provides both defensive solidity and creative flair. His ability to control the tempo of the game and link defense with attack will be crucial, especially in a match where Slovakia will likely dominate possession. Lobotka's vision and passing range allow Slovakia to build their attacks patiently, and he will be tasked with orchestrating play in the middle of the park.

Defensively, Slovakia will look to maintain their organization and discipline. Azerbaijan, despite their poor form, still possesses players capable of causing problems, particularly on the counter-attack. Slovakia's backline will need to stay alert and avoid giving Azerbaijan any easy chances, especially in transition. Goalkeeper Marek Rodák will also play a key role, as he has been a reliable presence between the posts for Slovakia in recent years.

Azerbaijan, for their part, will need to rely on a more pragmatic approach if they are to get anything out of this game. Fernando Santos is known for his ability to organize teams defensively, and he will likely set his side up to be compact and difficult to break down. Azerbaijan will look to frustrate Slovakia and capitalize on any mistakes, using quick counter-attacks and set pieces as their primary attacking outlets.

In terms of personnel, players like Ramil Sheydayev and Emin Mahmudov will be key for Azerbaijan. Sheydayev, as one of Azerbaijan's more experienced forwards, will be tasked with leading the line and providing a focal point for their attacks. Mahmudov, on the other hand, will be crucial in midfield, where his energy and ability to cover ground will be essential in disrupting Slovakia's build-up play.

The Stakes for Both Teams

As the 2024-25 Nations League campaign progresses, the stakes are becoming increasingly high for both Slovakia and Azerbaijan. For Slovakia, this match represents a chance to stay in contention for top spot in the group and a potential promotion to League B. With Sweden also pushing for the same objective, every point matters, and a slip-up against Azerbaijan could be costly. Slovakia will need to remain focused and avoid complacency as they aim to secure an important win on the road.

For Azerbaijan, the situation is more about pride and trying to avoid a winless campaign. Although they are already out of contention for promotion, a victory against Slovakia would provide a much-needed morale boost for the team and their manager. Fernando Santos will be eager to register his first win in charge of the national team and start building a foundation for future success.

Ultimately, Monday’s match promises to be an intriguing contest between two teams with very different motivations. Slovakia will be aiming for three points to keep their promotion hopes alive, while Azerbaijan will be desperate to end their losing streak and give their fans something to cheer about. As the Nations League continues to unfold, both sides will be looking to make their mark on the competition in this crucial encounter.