Gareth Southgate will hope his players can put aside recent form to return England to form in Gelsenkirchen for Euro 2024 against Slovakia on May 14. After a 0-0 draw against Slovenia, England now have the opportunity to regain momentum against Slovakia at Euro 2024 in Gelsenkirchen.
He has resisted calls for wholesale changes and instead makes one change by selecting Kobbie Mainoo over Conor Gallagher as his partner alongside Declan Rice. Here’s a look at the possible England National Football Team vs Slovakia National Football Team Lineups.
England
England are eager to keep alive their Euro 2024 dreams against Slovakia but will need more than style and flair on show against them. Gareth Southgate remains committed to his plans despite not finding success in any of their three group matches so far.
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will start in front of a defense that features John Stones, Marc Guehi and Kieran Trippier. Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo will partner Declan in midfield while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka will provide support for Harry Kane.
Ondrej Duda remains a doubt for Slovakia after suffering an injury during their 1-1 draw against Romania, but Francesco Calzona does not have any concerns over his side’s chances of progression further in this competition. Slovakia may not be one of the more impressive sides in open play but their inventive set pieces helped them get this far in this tournament. Their approach will likely involve pressuring England before switching play out wide to Ivan Schranz or Lukas Haraslin wingers – potentially featuring.
Pickford
England are determined to get their Euro 2024 campaign underway after an inauspicious start, but before they can dream of progressing further they must first secure one point against Slovenia in round 1.
Gareth Southgate has resisted any temptation to make wholesale changes following England’s defeat to Iceland in their initial warm-up game. Kieran Trippier replaced Aaron Ramsdale at left-back while Trent Alexander-Arnold held on in midfield despite an experimentation period with Declan Rice as central defensive partner which may now have run its course.
Luke Shaw from Manchester United has made it back into contention after an extended four-month layoff due to a calf injury, though not quite ready for starting duties. It is likely he could provide cover as either Harry Maguire or John Stones are selected by Trippier or Southgate respectively as centre back options.
Walker
Gareth Southgate remains staunchly committed to his England squad despite their disappointing opening match of this tournament, but Phil Foden left camp early to attend to his daughter’s birth – but should return in time for this crucial encounter.
Francesco Calzona has chosen to select an experienced side for Slovakia’s crucial match against Romania at Gelsenkirchen on Monday night, although Ondrej Duda did experience discomfort while playing against Romania but should be available.
Pickford leads his side on, supported by John Stones, Marc Guehi and Kieran Trippier in defence. Midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice are paired by Trent Alexander-Arnold while Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka provide Harry Kane’s support in attack.
Stones
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will step in for Connor Gallagher and start alongside Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice, and Phil Foden in England’s starting eleven against Serbia on Tuesday evening. England won Group C by beating them 1-0 before drawing with Denmark and Slovenia.
Slovakia are led by Francesco Calzona and tend to engage opponents in pressing them before switching play to their open wingers, particularly striker David Strelec who could look to add to his two Euro 2024 goals.
Dubravka leads his Slovak teammates, which include goalkeeper Milan Skriniar and Stanislav Lobotka on defense, midfielder Ondrej Duda plays alongside Juraj Kucka, ex-Fiorentina man David Hancko, Ivan Schranz, Lukas Haraslin up front as well as Robert Bozenik and Tomas Suslov sitting on the bench – Robert is on a separate page than Tomas Suslov.
Guehi
Gareth Southgate’s side advanced to the final four after an outstanding penalty-shootout victory against Switzerland. England seemed doomed after Breel Embolo gave Switzerland an early advantage during extra time; but they came back strong thanks to Bukayo Saka’s timely equaliser and were flawless in the shootout.
The Three Lions will be without Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi for their quarterfinal match against Slovakia due to his two yellow cards in this tournament, meaning Ezri Konsa will come into the side to partner John Stones at centre back while Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka continue as wing backs.
Southgate has refrained from making any major adjustments following his side’s last-16 victory, instead opting for just one change with Kobbie Mainoo replacing Conor Gallagher in midfield alongside Declan Rice. Phil Foden will return on the left of the forward line.
Trippier
Kieran Trippier looks set to start for England against the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 semifinal. He should provide cover for Luke Shaw who may not start, as Southgate appears likely to keep with the same back four as seen during their remarkable quarter-final win against Switzerland.
Southgate also has the option to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold on the left in a flat back four, though Trippier may start for his extra defensive nous and leadership qualities.
Fox Sports in the US and Fubo TV in Spain will air the match live. Fans who reside outside these two countries can stream it using VPN software – VyprVPN, NordVPN, and TorGuard are recommended as the top streaming VPN services.
Rice
England’s lack of an organized possession pattern was brutally exposed by Slovakia. A long throw from Kieran Trippier was flicked on for David Strelec to draw in defences before sending in a cross which Ivan Schranz prodded home for an easy goal.
Southgate made two changes after England’s goalless draw with Slovenia, reintroducing Phil Foden and replacing Bukayo Saka with Cole Palmer on the right wing. Newcastle winger Eberechi Eze may partner Declan Rice at base midfield but Foden and Kane will likely bring more creativity to their team’s play.
Francesco Calzona seems intent on sticking to their winning formula for underdogs Napoli defender Martin Dubravka, former Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar and midfield maestro Stanislav Lobotka should feature. Unfortunately for hosts they may struggle due to a lack of ideas and rhythm.
Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, earned his inaugural senior England call-up after moving up from Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Mainoo is an adaptable midfielder who is capable of playing either as a holding or box-to-box midfielder. He excels at passing into tight spaces and boasts great vision; furthermore he is an outstanding ball carrier, covering lots of ground.
Southgate may start Mainoo alongside Rice and Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park, with Arsenal’s Phil Foden serving as an obvious replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold as No 6. But Southgate also has other options available to him, including Manchester City’s Noni Madueke, Chelsea’s Morgan Gibbs-White or Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon who was injured this week during an electric bike incident.
Bellingham
ESPN sources reported that in the run-up to Euro 2024, Bellingham was becoming increasingly disapproving among his German team-mates due to his arrogant and dismissive manner. adidas appears to have sold him on their pitch that he will restore English football following years of suffering.
That may be an exaggeration, but Birmingham City midfielder Jack Grealish certainly has an imposing frame and can often get involved in physical confrontations on the pitch. Furthermore, he boasts a champion’s mentality which helps revive teams when they appear disinterested or faltering.
Kieran Trippier and Noni Madueke make the starting XI, while Luke Shaw just misses out at left-back; hopefully he will feature against Slovakia next time around. Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White feature on the bench.
Saka
Slovakia was expected to struggle in this group stage following their defeat at Romania, yet Francesco Calzona has led his squad through each match without breaking a sweat and they’ve surprised everyone by performing so impressively in each contest they’ve participated in under his guidance.
Former Napoli caretaker manager Giampaolo Di Carlo boasts a number of talented players in his side, such as veteran defender Milan Skriniar and David Hancko as well as Ondrej Duda and Juraj Kucka from Verona – and RB Leipzig midfielder Benjamin Sesko might also make an appearance.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Peter Pekarik, Denis Vavro, and Norbert Gyomber have all been in top form for Slovakia this season. Striker Ivan Schranz and Lukas Haraslin are also performing well but both need to improve their finishing.
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