England vs Slovenia: Why Three Lions' left side is a cause for concern in final Euro 2024 Group C game
Heading into Euro 2024, Luke Shaw's frequent injuries raised worries among England fans about the left-back position. The challenges faced by Phil Foden playing further forward on that side only added to the difficulties Gareth Southgate is facing with his team's defense.
In Slovenia, England will face a team that excels on the flank.
The Three Lions' last Group C match was expected before the tournament to be their easiest of this round. But following lackluster showings against Serbia and Denmark, Slovenia should not be taken lightly - and it looks like they could exploit England's vulnerabilities.
It seems that Kieran Trippier, who usually plays on the right, will fill in at left-back once more. Shaw has been absent from training sessions lately. The player from Newcastle, along with whoever Southgate chooses to play on the left side - whether it's Foden or someone else - will have a tough task ahead of them.
They will require Declan Rice's assistance, as well as another midfielder, to shift their focus to England's midfield balance, which has been off track up to this point.
Slovenia is not easily defeated.
Slovenia has only been defeated in two out of their last 23 games.
Slovenia showcased their strong right side in the 1-1 match against Serbia. Zan Karnicnik, playing as a right-back, scored the opening goal. If it wasn't for a last-minute equalizer, Slovenia would have secured their first-ever victory at the Euros.
Karnicnik took three shots during the game. His coach, Damir Krznar, described him as a bold defender in an interview with Sky Sports before the competition started. Krznar, who led Celje to win the Slovenian title last season, praised Karnicnik's skills in attacking plays.
If Karnicnik is not as confident defensively, he can rely on the assistance of Petar Stojanovic in front of him. They work together effectively.
Krznar believes that Karnicnik may encounter difficulties in defense, but he is a smart player who can avoid being in one-on-one situations.
He excels at making choices both when pressing forward and retreating, strategically waiting for backup. This makes him a standout player. Additionally, his positioning is enhanced by having Stojanovic, a former full-back now playing as a winger, alongside him. Stojanovic currently plays for Sampdoria in Italy.
"They are a strong team with Karnicnik and Stojanovic leading the way. They both performed exceptionally well in the qualifying rounds."
Check out this passing network image to see how well the duo collaborate on the field. Pay attention to how Slovenia's gameplay centers around Karnicnik (Right Back) and Stojanovic (Right Wing).
Slovenia is concentrating their offensive strategies on the right side, with 41 percent of their forward movements happening in that area.
This also happens to be the area of the field where England is subjected to the most attacks - Serbia and Denmark directed 42 percent of their offensive plays towards that side.
Up until now, Trippier and his teammates have mostly managed to handle the threat. However, the key factor to watch out for might be the speed at which Slovenia launches their attacks, especially if there are no surprises in their approach.
"Slovenia's defensive organization is top-notch," Krznar praises, also noting the exceptional skills of goalkeeper Jan Oblak keeping the opposition at bay. "They have a quick offensive game and can pose a significant threat from their solid defensive formation."
Southgate will be concerned about the possibility of a counter-attack. The focus has been on England's struggling press since they drew with Denmark. If their attempt to regain possession fails against Slovenia and they lose the ball in an advanced position, they could be in trouble.
Karnicnik snagged four interceptions during the game against Serbia, while Stojanovic successfully completed eight dribbles. Slovenia is primed and ready to make a strong impact, like a tightly wound spring about to be released.
And with Benjamin Sesko on their team, they have a skilled player who can score goals from any opportunities they generate.
England is close to moving on to the next stage of the tournament, but in order to do so with momentum and regain confidence, they must stop Slovenia's attacks on that side of the field.
