SLOVAKIA

COURAGE, INVENTION AND UNITY WILL BE KEY

Slovakians can enjoy the fact that their team has made it to consecutive European Championships – not least as 2016 was their first appearance in this competition – but, in truth, the past two years have hardly been inspiring.

The good news is that their main target of reaching Euro 2020 was accomplished, via play- off victories over the Republic of Ireland and their northern neighbours. The bad news is that their overall form is far from hot. Slovakia began the qualifying campaign with former Czech international Pavel Hapal in charge, but a monotonous style of play resulted in some depressing results across 2020: Nations League home defeats to Czech Republic ( 1- 3) and Israel ( 2- 3) led to relegation from League B.

Under Hapal’s hapless guidance, they squeezed through their Euro 2020 play- off semi- final on penalties in Bratislava, but it was clear that the team was struggling.

So, four weeks before the final away to Northern Ireland, Slovakia’s FA made the bold decision to sack Hapal and appoint Stefan Tarkovic as interim coach. The match in Belfast was more of a battle than a sexy footballing display, but crucially, Slovakia won, as substitute Michal Duris found a goal in extra time.

So, they’re here at least, but now it’s all guesswork. Since both coaches have used several combinations of players, only a few of whom can claim to have played well throughout, it’s tough to predict how Slovakia will look at Euro 2020.

Tarkovic has taken the gig permanently since that brief yet successful caretaker stint. He hasn’t had much time to make his side tournament- ready, and there’s a fear that the Falcons will be easy fodder for their trio of tricky Group E opponents.

With a squad lacking in star names, Slovakia need their key players to continue delivering when things get tough. Martin Dubravka is reliable in goal, although his lack of football at Newcastle this season is as unfortunate as it was unexpected, and Milan Skriniar and Marek Hamsik bring quality and top- level experience.

In Euro 2020 qualifying, as well as in the 2020- 21 Nations League, Slovakia frequently lacked ideas at the sharp end – although that is hardly surprising, given their shortage of quality options up front. Competing among the very best national teams in Europe, there will be no place for feeble football here. Courage, invention and unity will be key if Slovakia hope to outfox their group rivals.

LESSON FROM QUALIFYING

Hamsik & Co earned just one point from their clashes against Croatia and Wales, and lost 4- 0 at home to the former. Facing strong opponents in Group E, Tarkovic and his players may be under the cosh but they won’t be under pressure – so can the underdogs prove they’re not here merely to make up the numbers?

STRENGTHS

In goal, Newcastle’s Dubravka and Fulham’s Marek Rodak are high- quality options with proven track records, while even further down the pecking order, Dominik Greif and Dusan Kuciak are also very able. Sadly, it hasn’t helped that both Dubravka and Rodak haven’t played week in, week out in 2020- 21.

WEAKNESSES

The majority of Slovakia’s goals in 2020 were scored by midfielders, and their attack was a huge problem in general. There’s no doubt that they lack potency up front and don’t have a reliable, natural goalscorer. Duris, their probable starting striker, has scored two goals this season across 22 league appearances... in Cyprus.

MOST LIKELY TO...

Pretend the bad thing never happened. Group rivals Sweden spanked Slovakia 6- 0 in 2017, for their joint- heaviest defeat. At least, it would have been, but the match in Abu Dhabi was actually classed as an unofficial international. What match?

LEAST LIKELY TO...

Look like this in four years’ time. Slovakia will have one of the oldest squads this summer, and it’ll surely be the final European Championship for Dubravka, Hamsik, Duris, Peter Pekarik, Juraj Kucka and Tomas Hubocan, all of whom are aged between 32 and 35. In fact, just four of the 20 outfield players in the squad that beat Northern Ireland were under 26.

WHAT THEY HOPE WILL HAPPEN

They pull off the memorable giant- killing that can deliver a last- 16 spot. Anything beyond that would be a seen as a bonus.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN

This determined unit can grab a point or two in the group phase, but progress into the knockouts would be very surprising.