Slovakia – Ukraine. Predicted line-ups and latest news, – June 21, 2024

The second round of UEFA Euro 2024 Group E will start with a match between Slovakia and Ukraine.

The teams finished the first round with diametrically opposite results. The Slovaks managed to hold out for a 1-0 victory over Belgium, while the Ukrainians crushingly lost to Romania 0:3. A win will put Francesco Calzona's team into the play-offs.

For Serhiy Rebrov's charges, a defeat against the Slovaks will 99% end their participation in the tournament, so they also need to win and hope that Romania will beat Belgium to have hopes of getting into the play-offs.

Before the match, Ukraine midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi spoke to the press about the atmosphere in the changing room after the defeat to Romania:

"The fact that it was on raised tones - one hundred per cent. But what we talked about in the changing room after the match will stay there. Everyone needs to think about what was said and make the right conclusions. We have experienced players who can help young performers, the same Andriy Yarmolenko is already playing his fourth Euro. We have heard a lot of, let's say, kind words".

On the Slovakian side, midfielder David Gantsko spoke to the press, who assessed the upcoming opponent in the following way:

"Immediately after the match we told ourselves that even if we win three points with the biggest favourite of the group, nothing is confirmed. The Ukrainians lost the match with a result that nobody expected. Their playing system is very good and we have to be very careful and show the best possible game."

Speaking about the players who can play in this meeting, despite the fact that all players are preparing for the match, Rebrov will not be able to count on Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is still recovering from an injury in the match against Moldova. He was replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko in the game with the Romanians, and most likely, the Arsenal defender will play there and against the Slovaks.

Calzona will be able to count on all the players, so he may resort to some rotation of the squad. Milan Skriniar will wear the captain's armband, while centre-back David Ganczko, Denis Vavro and Slovakia's second most capped player Peter Pekarik will join him.

Boavista's Robert Bozhenik, who made his debut at major tournaments on Monday, will continue to lead Slovakia's attack and the 24-year-old will be hoping to add to the seven goals he has scored for his country.

Focusing on these facts, the Dailysports team has prepared predicted line-ups for the Slovakia vs Ukraine match for you.

Predicted line-up of Slovakia

Dubravka - Pekarik, Vavro, Shkrinjar, Hancko – Kucka, Lobotka, Duda – Schranz, Haraslin, Bozhenik.

Predicted line-up of Ukraine

Lunin - Zinchenko, Matvienko, Zabarnyy, Konoplya - Sudakov, Stepanenko, Malinovskiy - Mudryk, Dovbyk, Tsygankov.

The match between Slovakia and Ukraine will take place on 20 June in Dusseldorf. The starting whistle will sound at 15:00 CET.