Robert Bozenik starts on the bench for Slovakia against England in the round of 16 of Euro 2024.
So far, coach Francesco Calzona has only made one replacement in his tournament eleven and was still unlikely to start experimenting now. Since he took over two years ago, the head coach has overseen 10 wins in 16 matches and will put his team at its most productive for a massive knockout showdown.
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This means that Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will start in front of a back four led by Paris Saint-Germain captain and centre-back Milan Skriniar.
Juraj Kucka, Stanislav Lobotka and Ondrej Duda will be the midfield three, opposite Declan Rice and potentially Kobbie Mainoo, and the front three will likely consist of Lukas Haraslin, David Strelec and Ivan Schranz.
Dubravka said of facing England: “I would love to play against my Newcastle team-mates, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier. “It’s a country where I’m from and a league I play in and I’d like to play against them.
And he added: “Look at the team we have. There are many young players who already have experience and play in smart leagues. It is vital to have confidence in yourself. I’ve said it from the beginning: It’s vital to have this kind of healthy confidence.
“We achieved our first objective: it was vital to leave the group. The rival is tough now, but you have to do it with your strength and with the greatest ambitions.
Slovakia’s eleven: Dubravka; Pekarik, Varo, Skriniar, Hancko; Lobotka, Kucka, Duda; Schranz, Strelec, Haraslin
Substitutes: Rodak, Ravas, Obert, Rigo, Gyomber, Suslov, Bozenik, Tupta, Benes, Hrosovsky, De Marco, Duris, Bero, Sauer, Kosa
Time and date: 17:00 BST, Sunday 30 June 2024
Location: AufSchalke Arena, Gelsenkirchen
Television channel: ITV1