Euro 2024: Football prediction Romania vs Ukraine - star player speaks out
With quality players like Zinchenko, Mudryk, and Dovbyk, Ukraine is confident of securing three points in their opening match against Romania at 8 PM on June 17th, at the Allianz Arena.
Romania is on a strong upward trajectory after a successful qualifying campaign, winning 6 and drawing 4 matches to overtake Switzerland at the top of the group and secure a place in the Euro finals for the first time since 2016.
The yellow-shirted team's greatest strength lies in its solid defense, having conceded only 5 goals in the qualifying rounds.
In friendly matches against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, and Liechtenstein, Romania conceded only one goal.
Placed in Group E alongside Belgium, Ukraine, and Slovakia, coach Edward Iordanescu's team hopes to spring a surprise if they can maintain their recent good form.
Since taking over in 2022, coach Iordanescu has significantly improved Romania's standing. However, their performance in major European tournaments has been rather poor.
Romania's win rate in European Championship finals is only 6%, with only one victory over England at Euro 2020 in 16 appearances.
In contrast to their opponents, Ukraine is in its fourth consecutive European Championship. Despite losing 8 out of 11 matches so far, the Eastern European team surprisingly reached the quarter-finals of the tournament held three years ago.
Coach and former renowned striker of Ukrainian football, Serhiy Rebrov, boasts many experienced players currently playing in top European leagues.
Captain Zinchenko built his reputation playing for both Man City and Arsenal. Mykhailo Mudryk is steadily improving at Chelsea.
Striker Artem Dovbyk had a stellar season with Girona, scoring 24 goals in 36 appearances. Alongside him is winger Tsygankov, who is being pursued by several big clubs.
With their powerful attacking firepower and highly impactful star players, Ukraine will know how to break down Romania's defense.
Force information
Romania: Fully staffed.
Ukraine: Vitaliy Mykolenko is injured, so Zinchenko will be moved from midfield to play as a left-back.
Predicted lineup
Romania: Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; M. Marin, R. Marin; Man, Stanciu, Mihaila; Dragus
Ukraine: Lunin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Zinchenko; Shaparenko, Stepanenko, Sudakov; Tsygankov, Dovbyk, Mudryk.
