The entire group E will enter the fray this Monday. If Belgium has no other choice than victory against Slovakia to confirm its status as favorite, Romania has an opportunity to strike a big blow from the start.
Second place in Group E is already at stake in this first clash. On paper, the Romanians had a better qualifying campaign, finishing undefeated and taking 4 points against Switzerland, declared outsiders for a good result. Without having a generation considered “exceptional”, the Carpathian players did a superb job. Except that history does not speak in their favor. Only once have they made it out of the groups, and since they were absent from the last edition – as well as from the World Cup since 1998, the lack of experience could weigh heavily.
Ed Iordanescu East “proud of work and dedication” of its players, but that might not be enough when challenging a Ukrainian team which certainly had to fight in the play-offs to get its ticket, but which has a team more experienced in European games, and which was above all quarter-finalist of the latest edition.
A hardly forgettable course which could put the Ukrainians in a position of strength here. We often speak of “extra soul” when a team limits itself to narrowly achieving results. Ukraine are specialists, and after seeing the exit up close in the qualifiers, have nothing to lose here.
Even a draw would be a good result for Zbirna, who will perhaps aim for a victory over Slovakia to seek a better third place. But the qualifications gave rise to real hope of getting out of the groups among the teammates of Ianis Hagi. Among the best defenses of the elimination phase (5 goals conceded in 10 matches), the Romanian team will necessarily have to remain solid on their support to start. But this could lead to fears of a closed match…
The famous Belgian “golden generation” is slowly fading away, and still not the slightest major title on the horizon. Quarter-finalists of the last two editions, the Red Devils seem to be hitting their glass ceiling. Luckily, they have an “affordable” group, and their first match should serve as a crash test.
Faced with an opponent who owes a large part of his qualification to the weakness of the competition, there is no need to envisage anything other than victory. But the manner will be monitored. Especially after the disaster of the last World Cup, approached as an outsider for the trophy, concluded in the anonymity of the group stage, against a backdrop of a locker room on the verge of explosion.
And Slovakia in all this? Some well-known elements, like the Parisian Milan Skriniarbut a formation seeming too weak to resist a Belgian team regenerated since the arrival of Dominico Tedesco. However, we are perhaps a little too harsh on this team, which twice held off Portugal in qualifying, losing by only one goal each time. Guarantee of quality ?
The Slovaks will nevertheless face a known dilemma. Closing the game and openly aiming for 0-0, which would be an excellent result? Surprising 8th finalist in 2016, the Sokoli will want to do as well, and taking a point against the Belgian favorite would be a first step. And since they don’t have a blazing attack, this is probably their best option. It remains to be seen whether their ambitions will be greater…
