Saint-Petersburg: The Group E at the Euro 2021 will kick-off on Sunday with Poland facing Slovakia at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint-Petersburg on Monday. Spain will host Sweden at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville in the other game of the day.
It’s no surprise that the Polish side will be looking for the inspiring talismanic and astounding presence of their skipper Robert Lewandowski to find the net if they want to progress through to the next stage. However, the absence of Arkadiusz Milik due to a knee injury will be a major setback for the Poles.
Poland have been in prolific form during the qualifiers winning eight out of 10 games. Lukasz Fabianski, a seasoned campaigner between the posts will add solidity with his glovework while Piotr Zielinski will have the responsibility for dictating the tempo of the game.
Slovakia on the other hand, are playing in only their third major tournament with having a mountain to climb even in group stages. They will look to have a special plan to neutralize the threat of the dangerous Lewandoski. Acquiring a rather veteran squad, the Slovak side have also a few big names of their own too with Martin Dubravka in goal and midfielder Marek Hamsik.
The good news for them is the availability of Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan who had a great season domestically and the towering center-back will hope to continue the form on Monday’s match as well.
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The La Roja went for a major revamp especially after the demise of their golden generation who set the world alight winning the Euro back-to-back in 2008 and 2012. However, in the last couple of years, they found fresh new faces who can lead them to glory.
The biggest shocker was the exclusion of Sergio Ramos from the squad despite being in peak form with Real Madrid. Thiago Alacantra and Sergio Busquets hold the key place in a midfield trident while youngsters Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo will lead the front line. However, it’s the inexperience for the side which could act as a boomerang.
Sweden though have been a much-spoken side off-late are able to play a very shuttle style despite the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Dejan Kulusevski, a key player for the side, will miss the opening game after testing positive for COVID-19. However, they have the services of Emil Forsberg and Sebastian Larsson in the midfield to dictate the tempo.
In another game, Scotland will make their return to the Euros after a long gap hosting Czech Republic in Group D at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Led by Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, the Scottish side will look for an evening remember if they can pull out a win. Robertson will be a key player providing width on the pitch and whipping in crosses into the box.
Besides that they have the likes of Scott McTominay and Callum McGregor in the middle of the park alongside a very talented Billy Gilmour while going forward they have the service of experienced James Forrest of Celtic with Ryan Fraser to been floating on the wings.
As for the Czech side, they have an uphill task on their hands. Although they don’t have stellar names, skipper Borek Dockal will look to give a fight to their opponents. Tomas Soucek of West Ham United is one notable name in the squad with the silky and tricky forward Patrik Schick leading the charge in the attack.
