EURO 2024, Romania 3-0 Ukraine: Paying the price for individual mistakes

* PRE-MATCH PREDICTIONS

Romania are on the rise after qualifying directly for EURO 2024, while their opponents had to go through the play-offs. Participating in their sixth European Championship, their first since 2016 when they finished bottom of their group with just one point, Romania are aiming to reach the knockout stages in 2024.

Romania finished their qualifying campaign in fine form, pipping Switzerland to top Group I with an unbeaten record, winning six and drawing four of their 10 games against Germany. Having conceded just five goals in qualifying, their defensive prowess has been highlighted in recent friendlies: apart from a 2-3 defeat to Colombia, the Tricolori have conceded just one goal in draws against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Liechtenstein.

A win would give either Romania (left) or Ukraine a huge advantage in the race for a place in the last 16.

Of course, being drawn in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine will make Romania face much tougher opponents, but coach Edward Iordanescu's side still feel they have a chance of making it to the last 16.

Since taking charge in 2022, Iordanescu has significantly improved the position of the Romanian team. In fact, the 45-year-old is the first coach to take his country to the EURO finals since his father, the legendary Anghel Iordanescu, did so in 2016.

Meanwhile, despite not being in the 2022 World Cup, Ukraine are now making their fourth consecutive appearance at the EURO, a tournament they have rarely performed well in. Having lost eight of their 11 games so far, and failed to score in six of their nine group stage games, they reached the quarter-finals three years ago.

The Romanian team is in good form.

This time, Ukraine are aiming to repeat the same feat to boost morale back home despite a difficult qualifying campaign. Finishing third in the group behind England and Italy meant they had to go through the play-offs thanks to their previous performance in the UEFA Nations League. And Serhiy Rebrov's side then overcame Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland to reach Germany.

Ukraine’s preparations for EURO 2024 have been disappointing. After a goalless draw with Germany, they were beaten 3-1 by Poland. But a 4-0 win over Moldova lifted their spirits ahead of their Group E opener.

Some debate remains over the identity of Romania's No. 1 striker for EURO 2024, with Denis Alibec, George Puscas and Denis Dragus all vying for a starting spot. In goal, veteran goalkeeper Florin Nita is hoping to replace Atletico Madrid's Horatiu Moldovan, who has not featured for the Spanish side since joining in the winter transfer window.

Captain Nicolae Stanciu is a sure starter in midfield, having scored 14 goals in his international career to date. But tricky winger Olimpiu Morutan is absent through injury, giving Parma duo Valentin Mihaila and Dennis Man a chance.

Ukraine will aim for 3 points against an equal opponent.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's first-choice left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko will miss out with an ankle injury, so Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to move from midfield to fill in. Mykhailo Mudryk and Viktor Tsygankov will join Ukraine's attack, while Shakhtar Donetsk star Heorhiy Sudkov will lead the line in midfield.

With two goals and three assists, Andriy Yarmolenko was involved in five of Ukraine's eight goals in qualifying, but Artem Dovbyk, who won La Liga's top scorer award last season for Girona, is likely to start up front.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/euro-2024-romania-0-0-ukraine-cuoc-doi-dau-nong-bong-xu-dong-au-185240617184243293.htm