Michael

Schranz gives Slovakia the lead with a lovely header! Slovakia 1-0 Ukraine

Hancko with a very good free-kick shot, but it was excellently saved by Trubin!

Free-kick in a dangerous area for Slovakia after Lobotka was fouled.

Brazhko has a shot at goal from outside the area, but it's saved by Dubravka.

Duda has a shot from outside the are go wide of the post.

Trubin follows that up with an even better save as he saves from a close range shot by Schranz!

Haraslin went on a mazy run and his shot at goal is well saved by Trubin!

Come on Ukraine! Lets be having them!

Ukraine play Slovakia in what is a must win game for Ukraine. The pressure is on Ukraine, after having lost their opening match and they will have to play the game of their lives, if they want to beat this strong Slovakia side. Slovakia will be brimming after beating Belgium and they are likely to sit deep and attempt to punish Ukraine on the counter attack. The starting line-ups for today's match are out and the big news for Ukraine is that Real Madrid's Lunin is dropped and he has been replaced by Benfica's Trubin. Further changes to the starting line-up is that Tymchyk has replaced Konoplia at right-back and more significantly, the young Brazhko has replaced the veteran Stepanenko in the midfield holding role. Brazhko(22 years old) was one of the few impressive Ukrainian players against Romania, when he came on as a substitute. Shaparenko quite surprisingly maintains his midfield holding role next to Brazhko, even though he is a natural attacking midfielder. Another big surprise, is that the veteran Yarmolenko starts ahead of Girona's Tsyhankov. The manager Rebrov has really rung the changes as he has introduced 4 new players to the starting line-up, including dropping some big names like Tsyhankov and Lunin. I am happy with Brazhko starting, he should provide some real steel in that midfield and hopefully the more creative Shaparenko has a better game today. Mudryk and Sudakov will be asked to provide the creativity once again, while Yarmolenko's experience will hopefully help Ukraine down the right wing. Ukraine will hope that his crosses reach the La Liga's top scorer Dovbyk. Dovbyk will lead the line once again as Ukraine's centre forward. In defence, Zabarnyi and Matviyenko will continue their usual strong partnership in central defence, while Zinchenko keeps his place at left-back, due to Mykolenko still being injured. Tymchyk has a chance to prove himself at right-back. While the keeper Trubin will be pumped up as Ukraine's starting keeper today. Ukraine: GK: Trubin, RB: Tymchyk, CB: Zabarnyi, CB: Matviyenko, LB: Zinchenko - CM: Brazhko, CM: Shaparenko, AM: Sudakov, LW: Mudryk, RW: Yarmolenko - CF: Dovbyk As for Slovakia, they start with the exact same side that beat Belgium in their opening match. The experienced Dubravka who had a very good match, starts in goal. The solid and well organised back line of Liverpool linked Hancko as well as Skriniar, Vavro and Pekarik, who were all excellent against Belgium. In midfield, Napoli's Lobotka is their metronome in midfield, he will be joined by the battling Kucka and Duda in midfield. In attack, Schranz, the scorer against Belgium, starts once again next to the superb Haraslin and Bozenik. Bozenik who used to play for Fortuna Dusseldorf, will be returning to his old stomping ground. Slovakia will no doubt play a patient game, seeing as they already gained 3 points with their win against Belgium. Their game plan is likely to be to stay disciplined and strong in defence and try to punish Ukraine on the counter attack. Slovakia: GK: Dubravka, RB: Pekarik, CB: Vavro, CB: Skriniar, LB: Hancko - CM: Kucka, CM: Lobotka, CM: Duda - RW: Schranz, CF: Bozenik, LW: Haraslin In my opinion I am very happy that Brazhko is starting in the midfield holding role, as he is excellent in that position. I am a bit surprised that Shaparenko maintains his position in the other midfield holding position. He works hard, but this is not his natural position and he didn't have a great game against Romania. Shaparenko's best position is in attacking midfield, as a creative player. But hopefully we have an improved performance by him. Lunin being replaced by Trubin is a very big call, but the manager Rebrov was clearly not happy with Lunin's performance against Romania. So he has called on another top class keeper Trubin and utilised the strength in his squad. Tymchyk starting ahead of Konoplia I don't mind, as he has had some good games for Ukraine previously. As for Yarmolenko starting ahead of Girona ace Tsyhankov, well that's another big call. But I am guessing that Rebrov is relying on Yarmolenko's experience and his excellent crossing ability, he will be asked to whip in the crosses for Dovbyk to get on the end of. I also take it that Yarmolenko will replace the dropped Stepanenko as captain of Ukraine for this game. This is not necessarily the line-up I would have selected, but it will be interesting to see how Ukraine perform in this heavy pressure match. Hopefully Ukraine deliver, but this will be a really tough and high pressure match for them in Dusseldorf. It's also interesting to note that the referee for today's match is no other than our English referee Michael Oliver. May the best team win in today's crucial match in Dusseldorf.

Bozenik will be returning to the home ground of his former club. I bet he'll be pumped up to be back.

They've no doubt got the old bagpipes out then. I bet the bar owners are all chuffed with their presence, they must be raking it in with their profits!

This will be a big test for Belgium, they really need the win, but if Romania play as well as they did in their opening match, then there's a decent chance the Romanians could win again and shock the Belgians. Belgium will need to be on their "A game", if they want to get their desired result in this match.

I think it's clear that TAA should definitely be dropped for the next match. I mean Gallagher is an option to start in his position, but I'd personally have Bellingham play next to Rice, with Foden just in front of them in attacking midfield. Saka on the right wing and either Palmer or Gordon on the left. I think either would do a good job for England, but I definitely prefer Palmer. Palmer was the 2nd leading scorer in the Premier League last season, only behind Haaland. Palmer scored 22 league goals and also had 11 assists in the league last season. Not only is he extremely naturally talented, he has a real footballing brain, his footballing intelligence is remarkable for one so young. Palmer for me, would be a major asset in unlocking opposition defences for England. Kane has to start upfront, despite some of the criticisms that seem to have come his way. He is our number one goal-scorer, England just need to support him more and we will get even more out of him. At the back, Walker has been excellent at right-back. Stones has been generally good in central defence as well, while Guehi has been a bit of a revelation next to Stones in central defence. Guehi has looked very solid and he has impressed me in both of England's matches so far at these Euros. At left-back, I am not Trippier's biggest fan, I'd much prefer Luke Shaw, but it seems like Shaw is still nursing his injury. So Trippier is our only real option at left-back right now. While Pickford has been solid enough as our keeper. In general, I'd really like these changes to be made, but most of all, I think it's time to give someone like Palmer a chance. You can't not give someone like Palmer zero playing time, especially when we've struggled in the attacking 3rd at times so far in this tournament. Give the kid a chance Gareth!

Have the Ukrainian and Slovak fans descended on Dusseldorf yet @Tommy?

R.I.P.

I have to agree with this. Performance wise, they've definitely been the two best performers. Both of these national teams look well balanced and they play attractive football. I said from before Spain's match with Croatia, that I felt they were being underrated by most people. Spain are just a joy to watch, they could definitely potentially go very far and maybe even win it. Pedri, Williams, Yamal and Fabian Ruiz all really impressed today.

Another good shot by Fabian Ruiz is well saved by Donnarumma!

They turned up in their first match against Croatia as well. They are a delight to watch, there's a lovely flow to their game and many of their players have excellent technique.

A superb long range shot by Fabian Ruiz is excellently saved by Donnarumma!

Interesting to think that Pepe, who's still playing for Portugal, was a 25 year old defensive stalwart for the Portuguese national team, when Yamal was born.

Williams produces a powerful header from Morata's cross right in front of goal, but his header flew narrowly wide. Williams should have done better with that, as it was a big chance for Spain to take the lead.

Pedri with a lovely header at goal is brilliantly saved by Donnarumma!

This should be a more entertaining match. This Spanish have great technique and they past the ball about superbly. Italy are also one of those very efficient sides with a solid defence.

I'll play whatever, although it does seem that some here don't want me to defend my Comunio title and dominate once again.

They did look it a bit. Also at the end of the match, a few of them were huffing and puffing. That didn't seem to be the case with the Danish players.