Slovakia Manager: England is a Difficult Opponent, We’ll Stick to Our Style

On July 1st, in the Round of 16 of the European Championship, England will face Slovakia for a spot in the quarter-finals. Ahead of the match, Slovakia’s head coach Kálczona held a press conference.

About England

Kálczona: When England plays as a unit, they’re formidable. We have to be very careful; they have one of the best squads, with both physicality and technique. They left top players at home because they have an abundance of options. We need to exploit their weaknesses, but we must remain vigilant, as they can hurt us at any moment.

About Lobbertka

Kálczona: In three games, twice named Man of the Match. He’s the cornerstone of our team. He’ll be up against the world-class Jude Bellingham, but he himself is world-class. He’s had many great matches, and I’m sure it will be the same tomorrow. We need to function as a unit, Lobbertka can’t do it all on his own.

About Tactical Approach

Kálczona: I’m fortunate to have a very focused team, and we want to play attacking football. But we also need solid defense. In a game like this, you have to focus on the details. I trust my players 100%, and they’ll deliver a great performance. We have our own playing style, our own spirit. I’ll make some adjustments, but not significant ones. We’ll stay true to our football philosophy.

About Squad Selection

Kálczona: Vavro is ready for some warm-up; he’s had inflammation in his body for the whole year. He could only train individually, but he’s now recovered and in good shape.

About the Match

Kálczona: In such circumstances, mental and physical well-being are crucial. I believe we’ve achieved that because we’re facing a very strong opponent. Perhaps we can be more composed since we’re the underdogs. But that doesn’t mean we’ll enter the game with a losing mindset. We’ll try to win, and I’m neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic. I trust my team, and I believe we can play our football, regardless of who the opposition is.