In what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Group E fixtures at Euro 2024, Slovakia and Romania are set to clash at Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday. Both teams are locked in a battle for a place in the knockout rounds, with the group standings tighter than ever. Remarkably, all four teams in Group E—Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, and Belgium—are level on three points after two games, making this one of the most competitive groups in the tournament's history.
Match Preview
This unprecedented scenario, where all teams have an equal chance to progress after two matches, has set the stage for a dramatic finale. Slovakia, currently in third place, and group leaders Romania are both in a position where a win could see them finish first in the group and secure a coveted spot in the knockout stages.
Slovakia's Journey So Far
For Slovakia, this is their third consecutive Euros, having previously qualified for the 2016 and 2020 editions. In 2020, they were eliminated at the group stage with just three points, a fate they are eager to avoid this time around. The Falcons kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over Belgium. Despite Belgium's recent struggles, their squad is packed with talent, including the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Amadou Onana.
However, Slovakia's second match ended in disappointment with a 2-1 loss to Ukraine. The Falcons initially took the lead in the 16th minute but were unable to hold on, conceding twice to a resurgent Ukrainian side. This result has put Slovakia in a precarious position, needing at least a draw to have a realistic chance of progressing.
To secure a spot in the round of 16 by finishing in the top two, Slovakia must defeat Romania. They will top the group if they win and Ukraine fails to beat Belgium. Conversely, a loss to Romania coupled with a positive result for Belgium would see Slovakia's Euro 2024 journey come to an end.
Francesco Calzona, who has been at the helm since August 2022, has overseen a period of significant improvement for Slovakia. Despite a rocky start with no wins in his first five games, Calzona has led his team to 10 victories in their last 15 matches. During the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Slovakia lost only twice, both times to Portugal.
Recent form has been encouraging, with Slovakia going unbeaten in four games prior to their defeat against Ukraine. They have conceded just two goals in the tournament so far, and a clean sheet against Romania would mark their best defensive record in the group stages of the Euros.
Romania's Path to the Decisive Match
Romania, on the other hand, will secure a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16 with a draw on Wednesday. They will top the group if they win and Belgium does not defeat Ukraine. However, a loss combined with a positive result for Ukraine would eliminate them from the competition.
The Tricolours suffered a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in their last outing. Despite showing moments of promise, the quality gap between the two sides was evident. Romania's manager, Edward Iordanescu, who took over in January 2022, has transformed the team, guiding them to an impressive qualification for Euro 2024. They topped their group, finishing ahead of Switzerland, and remained unbeaten, conceding just four goals in 10 games.
Heading into the tournament, Romania's form was less than ideal, with no wins in their four pre-tournament matches. However, they have lost just once in their last 15 games before Euro 2024, conceding only nine goals in that period.
Their opening match against Ukraine showcased their tactical prowess, as they executed a perfect counter-attacking strategy to secure a 3-0 win. This victory not only boosted their confidence but also set a new record for their largest win at the Euros.
A win or a draw against Slovakia will see Romania through to the knockout stages for the first time since Euro 2000, where they reached the quarter-finals. Interestingly, their 2-0 loss to Belgium matched their joint-largest defeat at the Euros, previously recorded against the Netherlands in 2008. If Romania manages to score against Slovakia, they will equal their best group stage goal tally of four, achieved at Euro 2000.
Key Players to Watch
For Slovakia, much will depend on the performance of their captain and defensive stalwart Milan Škriniar. The Inter Milan defender is crucial to Slovakia's hopes of keeping a clean sheet. In midfield, Marek Hamšík remains a key figure, providing creativity and experience. Upfront, Robert Bozenik will be looking to add to his goal tally and fire Slovakia into the knockout rounds.
Romania's hopes will rest on the shoulders of their talismanic forward George Pușcaș. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial if Romania are to secure a positive result. In midfield, Răzvan Marin's vision and passing range will be key to unlocking the Slovakian defense. At the back, Vlad Chiricheș will need to marshal the defense and keep Slovakia's attackers at bay.
Tactical Battle
The tactical battle between Francesco Calzona and Edward Iordanescu will be fascinating to watch. Calzona's Slovakia are known for their organized defense and quick transitions. They will likely set up to absorb pressure and hit Romania on the counter-attack. The key for Slovakia will be to stay compact and take their chances when they come.
Romania, under Iordanescu, have shown they can adapt their approach depending on the opposition. Against Ukraine, they were content to sit back and counter, but against Slovakia, they might adopt a more proactive approach, pressing higher up the pitch and looking to dominate possession. The midfield battle will be crucial, with both teams needing to win the second balls and control the tempo of the game.
