Lukas Vrablik’s Sweden v Slovakia preview: Slovakia to sit deep and rely on fast counter-attacks
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Our Matchday Squad journalist will be covering Slovakia throughout Euro 2020
It has been a successful start to the tournament for both Slovakia and Sweden. While Sweden held Spain to a draw, Slovakia managed to beat Poland 2-1. In this game, both sides have a big chance to make a decisive step into the next round.
Against Poland, Slovakia relied on a 4-6-0 system with Marek Hamsik in the number 10 role and Ondrej Duda as a false nine and it worked. Hamsik covered whole pitch and ran a magnificent 11.4 km throughout the game. He was as decisive for Slovakia as ever and led them to a victory. There is no doubt he will lead his country against Sweden too and nothing indicates the coach Stefan Tarkovic would change his game plan.
Slovakia looked a better side thanks to their strong defence, led by Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, rated as third-best player of the European Championship’s first round by UEFA. His performance helped to keep Robert Lewandowski quiet and he is going to have a similar task with Alexander Isak.
Again, Slovakia are probably likely to sit deep and rely on fast and dangerous counter attacks. Sweden played similarly against Spain, hence a game with not many goals could be expected. Slovakia should again field a 4-6-0 formation, given that striker Ivan Schranz should again miss out due to injury.
Given that both teams started the tournament well, I expect them to be very motivated and hungry to get points again. It will be a tense game, and I predict a 1-0 victory for Slovakia or a 1-1 draw.
