Administrator Stan Posted June 25 Administrator Share Posted June 25 Kick-off 17.00 (BST) VS Venue - MHP Arena, Stuttgart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Well this is going to be a huge match for Ukraine against one of the strongest teams at the Euros in terms of star names they have in their team. Ukraine preferably need a win to ensure qualification, but stopping Belgium's fire power is going to be a huge challenge. I was thinking that maybe Ukraine could start this game by playing with 3 central defenders(has worked very well in the past for them) and look to counter Belgium with Ukraine's fast paced players such as Mudryk and Sudakov. However, after listening to Rebrov at Ukraine's press conference, he talking like he wants Ukraine to attack Belgium. So that would suggest that he is going to stick with 2 central defenders. On the team news front for Ukraine, the good news is that it is being reported that Mykolenko is now fit to start for Ukraine, after he has recovered from his injury. That will be a big boost for Ukraine as it will strengthen that left-back position, particularly defensively. It is being suggested that Zinchenko, who deputised for Mykolenko in Ukraine's first 2 matches at left-back, will be moved to his preferred position of central midfield. Who he will replace in the midfield position is the question, as both Brazhko and Shaparenko, who played in the midfield positions against Slovakia, both performed very well in that match. But the odds are that it is the younger Brazhko who will have to give way. Because there is no way that Rebrov will drop Shaparenko after his man of the match performance against Slovakia, where he scored a goal and assisted Ukraine's 2nd goal. Unfortunately for Ukraine, Girona winger Tsyhankov, who missed Ukraine's win over Slovakia due to injury, looks likely to not be fully fit to start this game either. Which is a shame, because he has become a key player for Ukraine and Girona in recent years. Hopefully he will be fit enough to at least come off of the bench, to help influence the game late on, if need be. So Ukraine are likely to start with Trubin as their 1st choice goalkeeper. Trubin was excellent against Slovakia, while Lunin didn't have his best game against Romania. So Trubin has kind of earned his place as Ukraine's number 1 keeper at these Euros. In defence, most reports are saying that Rebrov is going to stick with a back 4, with 2 central defenders. So in central defence, it will be Zabarnyi and Matviyenko once again, who marshal the back line. At right-back, Tymchyk is likely to keep his position, as he had a good game against Slovakia, where he even hit the post for Ukraine in that game. Tymchyk will have the job of trying to keep Arsenal's Trossard quite. At left-back, Ukraine will hail the return of Mykolenko. His defensive presence was definitely missed in Ukraine's games so far at these Euros. But on his return to the starting line-up, Mykolenko will have the unenviable task of stopping Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku. In midfield for Ukraine, I actually think that Rebrov could drop Zinchenko and start the young defensive midfielder Brazhko once again. Brazhko is a tough tackling midfielder who has a high work-rate, someone Ukraine will need, if they are to stop De Bruyne in this match. I think that Brazhko is stronger and a better ball winner than Zinchenko and for this reason, I think Rebrov will start Brazhko. Shaparenko, man of the match against Slovakia, will start alongside Brazhko. Shaparenko cannot be dropped, as he played excellently against Slovakia. In attacking midfield, Sudakov will start once again. Sudakov has shown flashes of brilliance, but he's not done enough for Ukraine so far in this competition. Ukrainian fans will be looking for him to stamp his mark and have a big impact soon. On the wings, Mudryk is an obvious starter on the left-flank. His pace and dribbling skills could be vital for Ukraine. While on the right-wing, due to the fitness issues of Tsyhankov, the experienced Yarmolenko is likely to start once again. As well as his ability on the field, Yarmolenko offers leadership qualities, that Ukraine are in need of. In attack, despite Yaremchuk's excellent performances of coming off the bench and scoring vital goals(Like he did against Slovakia and the play-off match against Bosnia), I think Rebrov will stick with the La Liga's top scorer, Dovbyk. So I am going to make an educated guess and say Ukraine's starting line-up against Belgium will be the following: Ukraine: GK: Trubin - RB: Tymchyk, CB: Zabarnyi, CB: Matviyenko, LB: Mykolenko - CM: Brazhko, CM: Shaparenko, AM: Sudakov -RW: Yarmolenko, LW: Mudryk - CF: Dovbyk For Belgium, they are likely to start with Wolfsburg keeper Casteels in goal. While in defence, Fulham's Castagne is likely to start at right-back. At left-back, Theate of Rennes, is likely to start ahead of Carrasco. In central defence, the experienced Vertonghen is likely to partner Leicester City's Faes in central defence. In midfield, the holding midfield positions are likely to go to Aston Villa's Tielemans and Everton's Onana. In attacking midfield, the play-making role will obviously go to the world class Kevin De Bruyne. On the wings, Arsenal's Trossard will start on the left-wing, while Manchester City's Doku, will start on the right-wing. The centre-forward role will be the responsibility of Lukaku once again, as the manager prefers him over RB Leipzig's Openda in that position. Belgium: GK: Casteels - RB: Castagne, CB: Vertonghen, CB: Faes, LB: Theate - CM: Tielemans, CM: Onana, AM: De Bruyne - RW: Doku, LW: Trossard - CF: Lukaku This will be a very tough game for Ukraine, given that they really need the win to definitely ensure that they advance. It will be one heck of a game for Ukraine against Belgium in Stuttgart. Interestingly, there will be an English referee officiating in this match involving Ukraine once again. Michael Oliver of England was the referee in Ukraine's win over Slovakia. While today, it will be another English referee, Anthony Taylor, who will referee this Ukraine v Belgium match. All in all, this match should be an exciting game, as both sides really need the win to secure their place in the Round of 16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Tommy Posted June 26 Moderator Share Posted June 26 Fingers crossed for Ukraine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 5 minutes ago, Tommy said: Fingers crossed for Ukraine! Thanks Tommy, going to need it. Well contrary to most reports, the manager has indeed gone for 3 centre-backs and changed the formation from Ukraine's other matches in this tournament. I wanted him to play with this formation, because it has been very affective in the past. However, Rebrov has dropped Mudryk, Zinchenko and Yarmolenko and benched them. While Tsyhankov is not even on the bench, meaning he will play no part in this match as he is still not fit to play. There are rumours that Mudryk might be injured as well. So it's Trubin as keeper, with Tymchyk at right-back, Mykolenko at left-back and then a 3 man central defence of Zabarnyi, Svatok and Matviyenko. In front of them, there's a 3 man midfield of Brazhko, who will be the holding midfielder, while alongside him, Shaparenko and Sudakov will play the more creative roles in midfield. Moreover, Rebrov has gone for a 2 man attack, with Dovbyk being partnered by the hero of the last match, Yaremchuk! GK: Trubin RB: Tymchyk - CB: Zabarnyi - CB: Svatok -CB: Matviyenko - LB: Mykolenko DM: Brazhko MF: Shaparenko --------- MF: Sudakov ST: Yaremchuk ----- ST: Dovbyk It's a blow if Mudryk was dropped because of an injury, it was bad enough Tsyhankov being out with an injury. But Ukraine will have to make do and hopefully this formation and game-plan works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 I think this is Ukraine's youngest team yet and definitely the youngest team to start at these Euros. All the starting 11 are in their 20's, several in their early 20's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Yaremchuk earns an early corner for Ukraine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Ukraine are pressing early, just as they did in that great 2nd half against Slovakia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnersaurus Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 @Michael potential last 16 game against England if you finish third. How would you feel about that as our form has been poor in the tournament so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 2 minutes ago, Gunnersaurus said: @Michael potential last 16 game against England if you finish third. How would you feel about that as our form has been poor in the tournament so far? It would be a good game, but lets wait for Ukraine to get there first. There are a lot of possible permutations in this group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Yaremchuk with a shot from outside the area is saved by Casteels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Ukraine break again, but Dovbyk's shot goes wide of the post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 GK: Trubin (AGE: 22) RB: Tymchyk (AGE: 27) - CB: Zabarnyi (AGE: 21)- CB: Svatok (AGE: 29) -CB: Matviyenko (AGE: 28) - LB: Mykolenko (AGE: 25) DM: Brazhko (AGE: 22) MF: Shaparenko (AGE: 25) --------- MF: Sudakov (AGE: 21) ST: Yaremchuk (AGE: 28) ----- ST: Dovbyk (AGE: 26) This is the Ukrainian team today, with their ages in brackets. They youngest team to play at these Euros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Ukraine break but Dovbyk passes back to Sudakov who skies his first time shot. Dovbyk should have passed to Yaremchuk instead there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Mykolenko whips in a cross, but Yaremchuk gets a header which goes over the bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Svatok fouling Lukaku and letting him know it's going to be tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Free-kick for Belgium in a decent position here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 De Bruyne with a clever effort from the free-kick, as he whipped a shot aimed at the near post, but it goes just wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Ukraine with some nice passing, eventually the ball finds Sudakov, whose shot is saved by Casteels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Sudakov got caught badly there, that must hurt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted June 26 Author Administrator Share Posted June 26 Looked nasty by Onana but totally accidental on Sudakov. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Huge chance for Ukraine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Stan Posted June 26 Author Administrator Share Posted June 26 Yaremchuk should shoot. Bad decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Shaparenko with a lovely through ball, eventually finds Yaremchuk in front of goal, but instead of shooting, he decided to square the ball and pass it to Dovbyk, but his pass went to waste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Ukraine are creating chances, they just need to find the end product here. But there's been some excellent passing and movement from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Sudakov has a shot from a free-kick saved by Casteels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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