Andrew Todos’ Sweden v Ukraine preview: Ukraine to win on penalties?
Our Matchday Squad journalist will be covering Ukraine throughout Euro 2020
Ukraine have reached the Euro knockout rounds for the first time in their history thanks to a huge amount of good fortune. Having lost against Austria, other fixtures going their way meant a third-place finish was enough. Now they need to make up for their poor performance against the Austrians.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been way below his best this tournament. The issue seems to be with him being played on the right-hand side of the midfield, which as a left footed player has caused problems. Should Andriy Shevchenko move him to his favoured left, Zinchenko’s creative passing could begin to prove influential once more.
During the Austria match, many were bewildered with Shevchenko’s tactics, due to the fact that there didn’t seem to be any. The team looked dead on their feet and the manager blamed tiredness for the sub-par display. With a week break until the next game – it’s expected Ukraine can regain some sharpness and aim to play their controlling, build-up play style against the Swedes.
Oleksandr Zubkov may be fit after his injury on Matchday one, and there are no other known injury problems.
Luck seems to be on Ukraine’s side so they have the perfect opportunity to make amends, getting a second chance, after last Monday’s underwhelming display. 1-1 (Ukraine win on Pens).
