Match Prediction: Slovakia vs Romania UEFA European Championship 2024
Slovakia, led by talents like Milan Škriniar, will head into this match full of determination, knowing victory might be enough for them to advance to the last 16 stage. With a sturdy defence of their own and skilled players such as Nicolae Stanciu and Vlad Chiricheș, Romania will be giving it all in this one, knowing that defeat will greatly dent their chances of reaching the latter stages of the European Championships.
How Did They Qualify?
Slovakia were impressive throughout the qualifiers, finishing second in their group behind Portugal after a thrilling 4-2 win against Iceland. Despite lacking star players, their resilient and structured approach allowed them to score 17 goals while conceding only eight throughout their campaign in a six-team group.
After missing out on the tournament's previous edition, Romania confirmed their place at UEFA Euro 2024 with a crucial win against Israel. The match was close until Ianis Hagi scored the winning goal in the 63rd minute. Throughout the qualifiers, Romania conceded only five goals, won six games, and drew four, all thanks to its solid defence.
Team Analysis
Slovakia's game plan is generally to be compact, not give too much away, and keep hold of the ball until an opportunity arises. Slovakia was slightly better in its offence in the group stages than Romania, with one more goal scored, but they did finish the group in second place. No player scored more than three goals in its qualifier group, meaning the goals were evenly spread throughout the team.
The Romanians are also famous for not conceding goals and holding back, so it would be interesting to see two teams with similar philosophies face off. While Romania scored one less goal than Slovakia, they topped their group and conceded only five in their ten matches. Their defensive record stands as one of the best during the campaign, and they hope to use that as one of their strengths on the main stage.
Players to watch
Marek Hamšík's retirement from international football in 2022 left a noticeable gap in Slovakia's squad. His exit has left the team to depend on the experience and skills of two talented veterans.
- Milan Škriniar: This defender spent six seasons with Inter Milan before moving to French powerhouses PSG. It is very clear that if this team are likely to succeed in this tournament, they will need to be tight defensively, and Skriniar will be crucial to ensuring that happens.
- Ondrej Duda: This 29-year-old Slovakian midfielder plays for Hellas Verona in Serie A and has been part of the Slovakia national team since 2014. Duda is a talented and versatile player who will likely play an instrumental role in breaking down Romania’s defence.
While Romania might not boast star talents of the calibre of Marek Hamšík in its squad, it does have players capable of causing problems for the opposition.
- Nicolae Stanciu: This captain of the Romania national team is their attacking midfielder/winger for Saudi Pro League club Damac. As the team captain, many will feel it is his responsibility to lead his team to victory, and his performance throughout their qualifying campaign has proved just how dedicated he is to this cause.
Prediction
The matchup between Slovakia and Romania is set to be a close contest. While Slovakia might have a slight edge because of skilled and experienced players like Milan Škriniar, Romania's strong defence could make it a challenging game. Considering the strengths of both sides, backing a draw or a narrow win for either team seems like a reasonable option.