Euro 2024

SLOVENIA was in party mode for weeks on end after they qualified for the Euros for the first time in 24 years – but the knockouts feel a world away.Never in their history have they escaped the groups in a major tournament, winning just one of nine games at that stage – a 1-0 victory over Algeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.Slovenia’s recent results show they should not be underestimatedCredit: ReutersThat year also saw them paired in a group with England and they narrowly missed out on reaching the last-16 thanks to a narrow defeat to Fabio Capello’s Three Lions.The Slovenians will be out for revenge over England on June 25.Manager: Matjaz KekIn his second spell as boss and has been in charge since 2018 – lost just two qualifying games despite having to overcome the death of his father.Key man: Jan OblakA reliable figure between the sticks for Atletico Madrid and his country, Oblak is a one of the best goalkeepers in the world.read more on the eurosLikely line-upHow they attackUnder Kek we expect to see Slovenia playing a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 shape.They are typically well structured as they build up their attack with the wide attacking players staying outside when the ball is deep and one of the two midfielders dropping deep towards the ball.Slovenia play an expansive 4-4-2BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSlovenia build-up with the two forward players positioned relatively close to one another in the attack. The defenders and the full-backs along with one of the midfielders are positioned to help progress the ball.Most read in Euro 2024In attack, when Slovenia are pushing forward and playing in the opposition half it is not unusual to see the two wide players come inside to play in narrow attacking positions.In doing this, they almost end up playing with two advanced midfielders behind the two strikers.They like to get players up to support their strikerInside the ten stunning Euro 2024 stadiums including historic final venueWhen Slovenia sustain an attack, they narrow their shape in the opposition half with more players in the channel or central spaces as they look to overload.While Slovenia can be structured in the way they build the attack they and also have a significant threat on the counter attack via RB Leipzig and Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko.He is extremely fast and if the opposition are too high against the ball, Slovenia can break through.Benjamin Sesko has the speed to run in behindAs Slovenia regain possession their two forwards find themselves 2v2 against the opposition defenders. A simple through pass is enough to release the striker in on goal.How they defendIn defence, Slovenia are not a team that will press high.Instead, they will drop into a deeper defensive block against the ball in a 4-4-2 shape.The idea is to make it difficult for the opposition to play through them.Slovenia are compact and opponents need to break down two banks of fourThe defensive block for Slovenia against Portugal looks to stop the opposition from being able to play into the spaces between their defensive and midfield lines.As the opposition move into their half in the wide areas we tend to see Slovenia look to slide their defensive block across the pitch.They are quick to move and support team-mates and they deny spaces for the opposition.If the ball goes into wide areas, the Slovenian compact unit shifts across the pitchAgain in the match against Portugal, Slovenia slide across and deny the opposition space.Even when they are looking to build up more slowly, the Slovenian side refuse to press high against the ball.They will hold a medium to deep defensive block and their strikers will remain disciplined in terms of not pressing.They hold a medium block and their strikers will try to block passes centrally to the midfieldersAs Denmark are in possession deep their defenders are trying to pull Slovenia out to create space. Instead, the Slovenian forwards retain their deep position and refuse to press.PredictionSlovenia are tipped to finish bottom of the group due to the lack of quality across their squad.However, they are perhaps being underestimated after finishing joint-top of qualifying Group H with Denmark, who are tipped to make it the knockout stages with England.Plus, Slovenia beat Portugal 2-0 in a friendly in March.If Oblak and Sesko are on form, then they will think they can make it through in either second or as one of the best third-placed teams.Latest oddsWilliam Hill have the Slovenians as 200/1 outsiders – only Albania, Slovakia and Georgia have longer odds.But they’re 7/4 to make the knockout stages.Glam WagsOblak has reportedly begun dating Serbian tennis player Olga Danilovic.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe made the fourth-round at the French Open this year and has one career title to her name.And defender Miha Blazic recently tied the knot with influencer Weronika, who has a 108,000 followers on Instagram.Weronika is going out with Miha BlazicCredit: @wera_marzedaOlga Danilovic is rumoured to be dating Jan OblakCredit: GettyAmelia Kurtic dates midfielder JasminCredit: Instagram More

ONE of the Euros’ minnows who will be competing at a major tournament for only the second time in their history.But for anyone expecting the Balkan state to just roll over in what is looking like a group of death, then consider how they got to Germany in the first place.Albania will be determined to do their country proudCredit: EPAThe Red and Blacks, who are managed by former Arsenal left-back Sylvinho, topped a qualifying group that involved Czech Republic and Robert Lewandowski’s Poland, losing only once.Premier League interest centres around West London, with Brentford goalie Thomas Strakosha likely to start between the sticks. And they have Chelsea striker Armando Broja up top desperate to prove his credentials to potential buyers.Manager: SylvinhoJust the mere mention of his name evokes memories of that thunderbolt for Arsenal at Chelsea in 2000.read more on the eurosThe first Brazilian to play for the Gunners, where he made 55 appearances, he went on to win a stack of trophies at Barcelona from his left-back position – and six caps for Brazil.He retired in 2010 after a brief spell at Manchester City, before coaching at Lyon and Corinthians back in his homelandSylvinho, 50, took over at Albania last year, and has already achieved his No1 goal by qualifying for Euro 2024.Sylvinho has been working wonders at AlbaniaCredit: AFPKey man: Elseid HysajA Serie A stalwart married to a former Miss Albania, Lazio full-back Hysaj became the youngest player to wear his nation’s armband when captaining the team against Qatar in 2016.Most read in FootballThe 30-year-old could be on his way out of Rome this summer as he has one year left on his contract.Likely line-upAlbania set up in a solid formation that allows them to get plenty of men behind the ball.Hysaj is a superb outfit on the left and Strakoshka has plenty of experience between the sticks.Broja’s movement will be absolutely vital in stretching opposition defences and creating space for team-mates.How they attackAlbania caught everyone by surprise by winning their group in qualification for this tournament ahead of the likes of Poland and the Czech Republic but despite this strong performance they are still likely to struggle this summer.This is especially true given that they have been drawn in group B with Spain, Croatia and Italy.In the attacking phase we can expect to see Albania build from deeper positions.When they are in possession of the ball in deeper areas one of the central midfielders will drop to form a three with the central defenders.This helps Albania to play through pressure.One of the deeper midfielders drops in while the two full-backs push on to play in higher positions against the ballAs they move into the middle and final thirds they are not a team who tend to rely on attacking through crosses from wide positions.Instead, they will look to make runs ahead of the ball to open spaces that will allow passes to be played centrally to the striker or the wide players as they come inside.The full-back starts in possession but comes inside and then passes to the left-sided attacker. It opens up a passing lane that allows the pass to be played through for the striker to run on toAs they enter the final third and threaten the penalty area a midfielder and two wide players will join the striker.They look to attack into the penalty area at angles to provide options and threat.The through ball releases the attacking player in the channel on the far side. Immediately the near side wide player will look to make a run off the ball to attack the space in the penalty areaHow they defendAlbania are more effective and much more solid and strong when they drop into a medium or deep defensive block to cut off space. They have players who are aggressive and strong against the ball but when they try to press higher they can lose structure and be played through or around.When they press in a higher structure their wide attackers can be caught too high, as opposed to forming a more effective block with the three midfield players.As Sweden have the ball with their goalkeeper we see the wide attackers have pushed to almost the same line as the striker.When they defend in a medium defensive block they will block spaces and passing lanes in central spaces. Ylber Ramadani brings a sense of solidity to the Albanian structure given his willingness to work and fill gaps consistently.As Sweden play out wide to the near side here we see Albania are well positioned centrallyAs the opposition move into the final third we then see Albania crash back to defend in a deep block with little space in or around the area.The Albanians will then look to win first contact on any crosses before then attacking in transition.Albania defend the area in a deep and effective block. They win the ball back and end up scoring from this positionPredictionAlbania will face one of the best third-place teams if they somehow manage to top the group.By finishing second, they would probably face Hungary or Switzerland in the last 16 which would offer them a chance to make a shock run to the quarter-finals.With favourites England likely to be lying in wait, that may be as far as the Balkan outfit go.READ MORE SUN STORIESLatest oddsAlbania are rank outsiders to go all the way.William Hill have priced them at a whopping 500/1.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

THEY are reigning champs and have a habit of defying the odds – yet little is expected of this Azzurri side.At least they qualified, given a nasty recent habit of missing major tournaments.Italy come into Euro 2024 with plenty of question marksCredit: RexBut even that was not exactly comfortable as they finished narrowly above Ukraine and well below table-toppers England.Veteran boss Luciano Spalletti, 65, will have to use all his experience given the lack of quality at his disposal.Up front, in particular, is an issue with former West Ham flop Gianluca Scamacca likely to start No 9.Sandro Tonali’s betting suspension hampers them in midfield.read more on the eurosThey won it last time but the view back on the Boot is if they make it out of the group, they will have done just fine.Manager: Luciano Spalletti The veteran tactician won’t stand for any nonsense.Spalletti has already clamped down on the time his squad spends on the PlayStation.But the 65-year-old is no dinosaur tactically and his teams are not to be taken lightly.Most read in FootballLuciano Spalletti struggled in qualfyingCredit: APKey man: Gianluigi DonnarummaThe only genuine superstar in the squad has had an up-and-down year at Paris Saint-Germain.But the big man remains elite – as England know only too well from the last final.Likely line-upItaly have a solid back three in front of Donnarumma, with width coming from their wing-backs.Jorginho and Nicolo Barella will be tasked with controlling the centre of the park and getting the ball to Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini.Scamacca and Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori are two options up front.The former is a physical threat while Raspadori is two-footed and offers solid technique but has never been a prolific goalscorer.How they attackUnder Spaletti, we can expect to see an Italian side that are effective and dogged from a defensive perspective but who are also flexible and fun to watch in possession.They will build from the back using intelligent structures to play through the opposition press.Italy will typically use Napoli right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzi as a third central defender.And Federico Dimarco, who plays as a left wing-back, will move higher and come inside.Dimarco moves into a midfield position from wing-backItaly are patient and composed and they create patterns that help them to play through pressure.They are not limited to one style of play.When the opportunity comes they can attack in a much more direct way.Federico Chiesa is released to run into space as the midfield progress the ball quicklyAs the Italians win possession centrally they often take the high risk option and quickly look for opportunities to release runners wide. As they progress and attack into the final third we will see Italy shift the ball into wide areas.They want to create chances to attack the opposition full-back and break into the opposition area.Zaniolo takes possession wide we see Di Lorenzo make a long run around the outside to provide widthHow they defendItaly are not as deep a defensive side as we have perhaps seen in the past.Instead they will look to be proactive and modern in the way that they look to press and work out of possession. Their two wide forwards, who can look to play in a more narrow position, in particular will work and press along with the forward player to disrupt the opposition attack.Italy press the Ukraine defence high and as a wave The striker goes first and presses alone and as soon as the opposition play a poor pass we see the second player join in. When the ball is forced wide the third player then joins and Italy have the opposition pressed in.When they do move high and look to press in the opposition half we will typically see them press and work in a man-to-man style.This means they take away passing lanes and options for the opposition players.Italy press high and the opposition player in possession does not have an easy option to play intoPressing and marking man to man in this way can be dangerous if the opposition can play through the initial press. Italy, however, are willing to be aggressive in terms of continuing to man mark when the ball is played through.Even when the opposition beat the intial press, the Italians work hard to force their rivals backwards.England pass their way through the initial press but the player receiving the ball is forced to play backwards as they cannot turnPredictionItaly struggled in qualifying and face a huge test to get out of their group.Should they manage to top the pile ahead of Spain, Croatia and Albania, they would face one of the best third-placed teams in the last 16.Germany would be potential quarter-final opponents with Portugal and the Netherlands potentially lying in wait in the semis.Finishing second would likely see Italy take on Hungary or Switzerland – providing neither stun Germany – and a potential last-eight clash with England in what would be a fiery grudge match.READ MORE SUN STORIESLatest oddsItaly are among the favourites to win Euro 2024 despite their poor qualifying campaign.They are 16-1 with William Hill – behind England, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. 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THE usual suspects remain the key men for Croatia… as they have been over a decade.A clutch of players have either more or close to 100 caps for the Balkan side.Croatia have a very experienced squadCredit: GettyThose include defender Domagoj Vida, midfielders Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric and, of course, captain Luka Modric.Another, Ivan Perisic, is doing his best to be fit after suffering a complex anterior cruciate ligament injury at his former club Tottenham in September.Impressive boss Zlatko Dalic has been along for most of the ride too, having taken them to a World Cup final and third-placed finish since taking over in 2017.A lack of young blood – barring Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol – could cost them though.read more on the eurosManager: Zlatko DalicConsidered a national treasure for his brilliant tournament performances, he spent much of his club career in Croatia, Albania and the Middle East.Dalic finished second to England in the Euro 2020 group stage but lost to Spain in the last 16.Performances on the biggest stage have kept Dalic in the job but a tricky group means he has his work cut out this time.Zlatko Dalic has been manager of Croatia since 2017Credit: GettyKey man: Luka ModricThe 2018 Ballon D’Or winner may no longer be an automatic starter for Real Madrid, but he is for his country and is on 174 caps.Most read in FootballJust don’t tell the 38-year-old it’s coming home.Luka Modric gets involved all over the fieldLikely line-upCroatia have an extremely settled line-up with plenty of tournament experience.The midfield three bring bags of quality and creative spark.A solid – if unspectacular back four – is not blessed with pace, meaning Josip Stanisic and Josip Juranovic will be tasked with not leaving the centre-backs exposed.Kramaric will lead the line and look to get on the end of crosses from Perisic – if fit – and Mario Pasalic.How Croatia could line up at the EurosHow they attackWhile Croatia have been fantastic in recent World Cups, they have been less impressive in the Euros.They come into this tournament playing 4-3-3 and their midfield of Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic is one of the most experienced and technically gifted in the world.In the attacking phase of the game, at least two of those players sit deep to help Croatia to progress the ball through pressure.Against Wales, Modric and Kovacic dropped into deeper positions to form a two at the base of the midfieldAs they move the ball into the opposition half, the three central midfielders help Croatia attack with the two wide forwards making movements into the channels or even into the central areas.This will then, in turn, create space wide that they can play into and exploit.Against Armenia, Croatia have narrowed the pitch and can spread to a full-back overlappingWith a quick switch of play into the wide areas, they are then able to attack into space.As the Croats attack to the last line and look for ways to break into the opposition penalty area, the midfield is again key.Croatia will play with a target man looking to receive the ball and link play with the midfielders.As striker Bruno Petkovic takes a pass, Lovro Majer’s run from deep allows Croatia to break through the last line and into the penalty areaHow they defendAlthough Croatia will play in a 4-3-3 this summer, the way that they press sees them move into more of a 4-4-2 with one of the midfielders or wide attackers typically released to work higher along with the striker.They will then be positioned in two lines of four behind this initial press and will be difficult to play around or through.A second player joins the striker in the press with two banks of four behind themDalic’s side can be extremely aggressive against the ball but they tend to only react in this manner when the opposition are in possession when there has been a clear trigger.If an opponent takes a poor touch or plays a poor pass then the Croatians, led again by the midfield, will counter press and be aggressive.Here, the Welsh player has taken a poor touch and immediately we see the Croatian press collapse around the ball as they look for an opportunity to quickly regain possessionThis fluid approach out of possession for Croatia will translate to a higher press if the opposition take a poor touch or make a mistake when they are building the attack. The game intelligence and experience throughout the Croatian squad is key in these situations as they understand when to hold a deeper block and when to jump and press high.As the Turkish player takes a poor touch in build-up, we immediately see Croatia squeeze the opposition in and look to regain possessionPredictionCroatia find themselves in the group of death – with Spain, Italy and Albania.If they can come out on top, they would face one of the best third-place teams in the last 16 and likely have to go through Germany in the quarter-finals.Spain and the Netherlands are also in that half of the draw, while England could lie in wait in the final – a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi.If they finish second, Hungary and Switzerland are potential last-16 draws, with England, France and Belgium all littering a tough route to the final.READ MORE SUN STORIESPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
Latest oddsThere are a group of six teams being favoured by the bookies, including England, Spain and Belgium.Croatia are just outside that core with odds of 40/1 at William Hill. More