Ukraine meets Austria at the National Arena Bucharest – Bucharest, in their final UEFA Euro 2020 group encounter on Monday, 21st June. This game will be very crucial for both teams, considering their group standing, having the same 3 points so far.
Although, both teams have won and lost a game, a win on Monday will spur the lucky side into the round of 16. And judging by their performances so far in this tournament, this encounter will undoubtedly be a huge clash.
With the Netherlands almost certain to win their last group game against the North Macedonians (who are yet to get a point in this tournament), a draw looks to be favourable to both teams as the Ukrainians can cement the second spot with a point, considering their one-goal advantage over Austria. Just like Austria’s possibility of qualifying into the round of 16 as one of the four best losers seems on the card as well.
TEAM NEWS
On the injury scene, Austria reporter, Jordan Maciel disclosed that Austria’s Valentino Lazaro missed this morning’s training session with a thigh problem. While Julien Baumgartlinger, who sat out the Netherlands game with an adductor problem, was involved.
Ukraine will still be without the service of their winger Oleksandr Zubkov, who got injured against the Netherlands in their opening match.
WHO SAY WHAT
The players have been speaking on the encounter, as Christoph Baumgartner, Austria forward reveals that: “You don’t go into the game thinking a point would be enough for both teams. I have never done that. That doesn’t happen at this level, I don’t think, both teams will try to seize the game. Ultimately, it comes down to scoring more goals than our opponents. It has been our highlight after another. This is a final for us, but the nerves were more intense before the first game. Now it’s more like excitement, almost hunger for the game.”
Konrad Laimer on Ukraine: “They are a physical team. They run hard and are dangerous from set-pieces. The most important thing is to keep a clean sheet, then things will look very good for us. I’m not a fan of playing for a draw; we will play for the win.”
Assessing how the Austrians can cause the Ukrainians much problem on Monday’s encounter, Laimer, Austria midfielder reviews that: “We need to make more runs behind the lines (against Ukraine) to keep their defence occupied; that’ll help us get into the game. That spark, the final pass was missing (against the Netherlands). We all need to raise our game in the final group match.”
Georgiy Bushchan, Ukraine goalkeeper admits: “ We haven’t done anything to make people too proud of us just yet. Love and hate are just a step apart. It’s great we gave (our fans) some excitement but now we have to prepare for our final (group) match with cool heads.”
Yarmolenko has been praised for his performance against North Macedonia after his goal and assist was enough to seal three points for his team, as Austria’s player Dragovic says: “He’s incredible.” While Austria’s defender Kryvtsor also praised Yarmolenko, saying “He’s a real leader of the team.”
POSSIBLE LINEUP
UKRAINE: Bushchan; Karavayev, Mykolenko, Matviyenko, Zabarnyi; Shaparenko, Zinchenko, Stepanenko; Yaremchuk, Yarmolenko, Malinovskiy.
AUSTRIA: Bachmann; Alaba, Dragovic, Hinteregger; Ulmer, Lainer, Schlager, Lainer, Sabitzer; Arnautovic, Kalajdzic.
POSSIBLE SCORELINE
Ukraine vs Austria – 1:1
