Slovakia Vs Azerbaijan

Slovakia will seek to secure consecutive victories in the UEFA Nations League C on Sunday night as they host Azerbaijan in Kosice. After a promising yet painful Euro 2024 campaign, the Falcons will aim to build on their positive momentum in this competition, while Azerbaijan, under new management, looks to recover from a disappointing start.

Match Preview: Slovakia's Promising Form

Slovakia enters this match riding a wave of optimism after a solid display at Euro 2024. Despite their campaign ending in heartache after a narrow defeat to Gareth Southgate's England in the knockout stages, they have shown they can compete at a high level. Manager Francesco Calzona will now focus on leading his team to success in the Nations League, with the ultimate goal of securing promotion to League B.

In their first match of the Nations League C group stage, Slovakia managed a narrow but hard-fought victory over Estonia on Thursday. Playing in Tallinn, the Falcons recorded a 1-0 win thanks to a crucial goal from 22-year-old Tomas Suslov. The young forward, who has been making waves in European football, took full advantage of a rare start to fire Slovakia to an important victory. Suslov’s performance underscored Slovakia's ongoing strategy of integrating younger players into the team while balancing experience.

Slovakia's recent success has been built on a strong midfield led by seasoned players like Stanislav Lobotka and Ondrej Duda, both of whom played pivotal roles in their Euro 2024 campaign. However, Calzona has also been keen to use the Nations League as an opportunity to blood fresh talent. One such player is Adam Obert, a young center-back who has shown immense promise despite limited playing time with Cagliari in Italy's Serie A. Obert’s performances have excited Slovakian supporters, providing hope that he can be a long-term asset for the national team.

Calzona himself is no stranger to Italian football, having served as an assistant coach for Cagliari during the 2020-21 Serie A season. His familiarity with the game at the highest level has been a key factor in Slovakia's progress under his leadership. Thursday’s victory over Estonia marked his 11th win in 23 games as Slovakia's head coach, a testament to his steady hand at the helm. Now, the 55-year-old will look to guide his side to another victory, with the aim of climbing to the top of Group 1.

The Slovakians will draw confidence from their last home match, a commanding 4-0 victory over Wales in June. That match, played in Trnava, saw goals from Juraj Kucka, Robert Bozenik, and Laszlo Benes, with the Welsh defense, and goalkeeper Danny Ward, unable to cope with Slovakia's attacking threat. If Calzona’s side can replicate that performance on Sunday, they will be in an excellent position to take control of the group.

Azerbaijan's Struggles and New Leadership

Azerbaijan, meanwhile, comes into the match looking to regroup after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Sweden on Thursday. The game, played in Baku, saw Azerbaijan miss a golden opportunity to take the lead late in the first half. Ramil Sheydaev, a key player for Milli Komanda, had the chance to score from the penalty spot but was unable to beat Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson. That missed opportunity proved costly, as Azerbaijan were punished in the second half.

Sweden capitalized on Azerbaijan’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal, with Alexander Isak netting twice and Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres adding a third. Azerbaijan managed to score a late consolation through former Wolverhampton Wanderers player Renat Dadashov, but by then, the result was beyond doubt. The defeat highlighted the gulf in quality between Azerbaijan and the stronger teams in the group.

Azerbaijan’s performance on Thursday was reminiscent of their struggles in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, where they finished second-to-last in their group, only ahead of Estonia. Their inability to compete consistently at this level has been a long-standing issue, and they have yet to qualify for a major international tournament. The Nations League offers a fresh opportunity to rebuild, but their opening defeat suggests that they have a lot of work ahead of them.

One factor that could help Azerbaijan turn things around is their new manager, Fernando Santos. The 69-year-old Portuguese tactician is a highly respected figure in international football, having guided Portugal to Euro 2016 glory and the inaugural UEFA Nations League title in 2019. Santos brings a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to a team in desperate need of leadership. Azerbaijan will hope that under his guidance, they can begin to reverse their fortunes and become more competitive on the international stage.

However, Santos faces an uphill battle. Azerbaijan’s form in recent away matches has been dismal. Excluding a trip to Estonia in October 2023, where they secured a rare victory, Azerbaijan has lost their last three competitive away games by an aggregate score of 14-1. Heavy defeats in Austria, Sweden, and Belgium during the Euro 2024 qualifiers underscore the challenges facing Santos as he tries to improve his team’s fortunes. Azerbaijan’s defense, in particular, has been a cause for concern, with the team leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Tactical Outlook and Key Players

From a tactical perspective, Slovakia is expected to control the game on Sunday, with Calzona likely to set his team up to dominate possession and create chances through their midfield maestros, Lobotka and Duda. These two players are the heartbeat of the Slovakian team, dictating the tempo and providing the creative spark in the final third. Slovakia’s ability to break down Azerbaijan’s defense will hinge on the movement and interplay between their midfield and forwards.

Tomas Suslov will be one to watch after his match-winning performance against Estonia. The young attacker is quick, technically gifted, and unafraid to take risks in front of goal. His willingness to shoot from distance and take on defenders will be crucial against an Azerbaijan side that is likely to sit deep and defend in numbers. Slovakia will also look to exploit set-pieces, an area where they have traditionally been strong.

In defense, Slovakia will rely on the experience of their backline, but Adam Obert’s role could also be significant. The young center-back has shown that he can handle pressure despite his inexperience at the senior level. If given another opportunity to start, Obert will need to be at his best to keep Azerbaijan’s forwards at bay.

For Azerbaijan, the key will be staying compact and disciplined defensively while trying to hit Slovakia on the counter-attack. Fernando Santos is known for his pragmatic approach, and he will likely instruct his team to remain organized and frustrate Slovakia. The onus will be on Ramil Sheydaev and Renat Dadashov to provide the cutting edge in attack, but both players will need to be more clinical than they were against Sweden.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

Given the contrasting form of the two teams, Slovakia enters this match as heavy favorites. They have home advantage, a more talented squad, and momentum from their recent victory. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is in a period of transition under a new manager and will need time to adjust to Santos’ methods. While Azerbaijan has the potential to cause problems on the break, it’s hard to see them getting a result against a well-organized Slovakian side.

Slovakia’s blend of youth and experience, coupled with their attacking options, should prove too much for Azerbaijan to handle. A comfortable home win seems the most likely outcome, with Slovakia taking another step towards securing promotion to League B.

In conclusion, this UEFA Nations League clash provides an intriguing matchup between a Slovakia side on the rise and an Azerbaijan team trying to find its footing under new leadership. The Falcons will be eager to continue their winning ways and assert their dominance in Group 1, while Azerbaijan will look to spring a surprise and gain their first points of the campaign. However, based on current form, Slovakia appears well-placed to secure victory and maintain their push for promotion.