With both teams suffering defeats in their opening games, it’s now or never for Ukraine and Northern Ireland. These two nations will have marked this encounter down as a must-win prior to the tournament, in a group containing perennial favourites Germany, and a Poland side littered with quality from back to front.
Fortune favours the brave for Northern Ireland
It’s painfully obvious that Northern Ireland must play with more attacking intent or else they risk exiting the tournament with a whimper.
Mustering just two wayward attempts at goal – the joint lowest total for shots on goal in a European Championships match since 1980 – manager Michael O’Neill must find a solution to strike a happy balance between defending stoutly and posing questions in the final third.
From a defensive perspective Northern Ireland were resolute and extremely well organised against Poland, suffocating the influence of lethal front man Robert Lewandowski to the point where he failed to register a shot on target.
But as Northern Ireland defended with virtually everyone behind the ball, there was no focal point at the tip of Northern Ireland’s attack, as their key attacking players such as Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis were so focused on the team’s defensive rearguard action.
O’Neill must tweak his lineup and release the shackles. His side must feel like they can trust themselves in possession, allowing his attacking lynchpins to take up more advanced positions, or else they risk going home with much regret.
WATCH | Michael O'Neill tells the world's media that tomorrow's game will be played "like a cup final". #DareToDreamhttps://t.co/VL4NonXm76
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) 15 June 2016
Killer instinct in attack key for Ukraine
For those who didn’t watch Ukraine’s match against Germany, a 2-0 win to the world champions would have been seen as a comfortable victory for the Germans – it was anything but.
Ukraine were menacing, and if it wasn’t for Manual Neuer’s brilliance between the posts and a spectacular goal line clearance from Jerome Boetang, Mykhaylo Fomenko’s side could have easily taken something from the encounter.
A lack of certainty in front of goal is something the Ukrainians will be keen to reverse as they seek reward for the incisive style they displayed against the Germans.
With Andriy Yarmolenko likely to wreak havoc on the flanks, and with the craft of Yevhen Konoplyanka playing in between the lines, Ukraine have some dynamic attacking artillery that is sure to stretch Northern Ireland’s defence to the absolute limit.
An early goal would be the ideal tonic for the Euro 2012 hosts as it would throw Northern Ireland’s pragmatic tactics into chaos and allow their speed merchants to come into their own once the game opens up.
Last chance saloon for both Ukraine and Northern Ireland
This is a pivotal match for both Ukraine and Northern Ireland with the loser seemingly condemned to an early exit from the tournament.
A draw or defeat simply won’t suffice with tough final group stage encounters on the horizon – in particular Northern Ireland who could face the daunting task of facing Germany needing to win to stay alive in the competition.
With both nations’ long unbeaten streaks snapped at the worst possible time, it poses the question; will both managers will stick with their tried and tested formulas that proved so successful in qualifying, or will the potential ramifications of this duel force changes from within?
Football, for some, is a matter of life and death, and for the fans of both Northern Ireland and Ukraine, today’s crunch game epitomises that feeling, especially with both countries yet to leave their mark on the tournament at all.
As we have seen so far in Euro 2016, teams who are tactically sound and play with a burning desire and an unbreakable spirit have shone; whoever embodies these qualities will go a long way to triumphing in this do-or-die fixture.
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