Slovenia’s defensive mentality makes them hard to break down. Players like Jan Oblak are adept at making key saves that keep the team organized.
Southgate is finding Trent Alexander-Arnold on the left wing to be less than effective, so he could consider Cole Palmer or Jarrod Bowen for additional pace on that wing.
Here we will discuss the main points or top players of England National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups.
England
England struggle to break through Slovenia’s resilient defence. Foden and Kane both shoot directly at Jan Oblak while Saka has his goal disallowed for offside. Mainoo adds some urgency but ultimately they lack an offensive edge.
Gareth Southgate has made just one change to his side that started the opening two matches, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold with Connor Gallagher in midfield. Kieran Trippier continues at left-back despite Luke Shaw returning to training, while Gallagher should partner Declan Rice as central midfielder – an excellent presser that should enhance England’s work without the ball. England still have hopes of qualifying for the last-16, though their hopes of topping their group are probably long gone – Slovenia need a win against one of those title hopefuls just to guarantee third spot!
Pickford
Everton have taken notice since their summer acquisition of Pickford as their primary goalkeeper. He proved his worth at Euro 2020 after saving a penalty save in their shootout win against Denmark; which earned him even greater national prominence than anticipated.
He’s since kept three clean sheets in four league starts – an impressive feat. Additionally, he’s excelled at possession and in the air; making him a reliable option against tall opponents.
Everton defender John Stones should maintain his place in the squad while Kyle Walker will compete with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall for a right-back position. Dominic Solanke rejoins after an absence of seven years; Kobbie Mainoo and Noni Madueke may make their debuts alongside Jude Bellingham and Curtis Jones in midfield; unfortunately Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa was left out due to an injury.
Walker
Interim England manager Lee Carsley has made major decisions since taking over from Gareth Southgate, with several players dropped from his side that lost against Greece in September. Carsley may employ a 4-2-3-1 formation that was employed against Finland in October in hopes of better results than their goalless draw.
The Slovenia national football team represents Slovenia internationally in League B of the UEFA Nations League, where it has avoided relegation by finishing third overall. Their main rival is neighbouring Croatia; both nations engage in what has become known as their Neighbourhood derby rivalry.
Italy have qualified for two major tournaments, the UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup, yet have never advanced past group stage in either competition. Their best performance came during the latter, when they stunned Italy 1-0 to cause an unlikely upset at the finals.
Stones
Stones was taken off at half-time in England’s friendly against Iceland due to a minor ankle injury, although it does not appear serious enough for him to miss any significant time at tournament. He may still play but his minutes may be limited.
Trent Alexander-Arnold remains in the starting XI, while Kieran Trippier retains his left back position despite Luke Shaw returning to training this week. Conor Gallagher will start in central midfield over Kobbie Mainoo and Ezri Konsa while Dominic Solanke was included despite suffering a calf strain during Bayern Munich’s Champions League win against Paris Saint Germain; hopefully adding some zest and creativity to Three Lions attacks.
Guehi
Marc Guehi has been capped seven times and should start alongside John Stones at centre back for England. Ezri Konsa remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury sustained against Manchester United so Kyle Walker should take over his position in defense.
Guehi has impressed me every week at Palace and he seems perfectly equipped for international football – quick, adept at man marking, reading the game well – although he could use more experience in the air as well as having someone of similar stature beside him to support.
Lee Carsley will likely make changes to his starting eleven following an underwhelming display against Greece in Helsinki. Bukayo Saka has rejoined Arsenal while Curtis Jones must stay behind due to family matters; Dominic Solanke may get another shot as he continues his impressive form at Tottenham.
Trippier
Kieran Trippier should retain his place at left-back despite Luke Shaw’s return to training, although Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento may come into the team. Angel Gomes could rejoin Declan Rice in central midfield; Jude Bellingham or Ollie Watkins can serve as bench options.
Lee Carsley has been given a chance to make his mark as interim England manager, and will want the Three Lions to beat Finland at home in Helsinki in order to advance in their UEFA Nations League campaign and strengthen his chances of replacing Gareth Southgate permanently.
After making it to the last eight of the 2024 European Championship and nearly winning an iconic trophy during extra time in the final, national side is riding high with momentum.
Rice
England controlled possession in the RheinEnergieStadion but struggled to break through Slovenia’s disciplined defense. Phil Foden and Harry Kane forced easy saves from Jan Oblak while Bukayo Saka had his goal disallowed for offside.
Gareth Southgate’s substitutions – Mainoo for Trippier and Palmer for Rice – provided more urgency, but ultimately were unable to break down Matjaz Kek’s solid defense. RB Leipzig sensation Benjamin Sesko still hasn’t scored at the tournament but should provide an attacking outlet.
Kek’s side are organised in a 4-4-2 midblock and strive to impede England’s build-up play and progression routes into players such as Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham. Additionally, their team are highly-drilled and feature an excellent keeper in Oblak.
Gallagher
The Three Lions have struggled offensively while being solid defensively, but Slovenia, led by Sesko’s rising stardom, won’t allow them to play without limits.
Southgate may experiment with his team for this critical Group C fixture at Rhein Energie Stadion, with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely being replaced with Conor Gallagher in midfield and Anthony Gordon or Manchester United youngsters Adam Wharton or Kobbie Mainoo likely starting on the left wing.
English success in their two games so far should ensure they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, but in order to live up to their status as favourites they’ll need to produce better performances against Slovenia and Denmark and Sweden – something which requires them to win big against Slovenia in particular!
Saka
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka tallied one goal and an assist during Saturday’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest, making five crosses and creating four chances to demonstrate his value to this Arsenal side under Mikel Arteta.
He may miss this week’s UEFA Nations League match against Greece due to an apparent injury sustained when tackled by Panathinaikos’ Vangelis Pavlidis of Panathinaikos Panathinaikos’ Vangelis Pavlidis on Tuesday in Helsinki – not returning for their game with Finland – while interim manager Lee Carsley confirmed it’s likely his participation will be uncertain for their trip against Greece.
If Saka is unavailable, that could open the door for Chelsea’s Ethan Nwaneri or Fulham’s Reiss Nelson to make their England debuts – which would be devastating for Arsenal given his stellar form since joining them this summer.
Bellingham
Matjaz Kek’s side must uphold their underdog status against one of the favourites to advance to the last eight, even with only two wins from seven matches on record in Group C – they must strive to avoid an embarrassing exit!
Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to have outlived his experiment as a central midfielder, with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher likely taking up that position alongside Declan Rice. This will free Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham up for supporting Kane in attack.
Kyle Walker and John Stones will start in central defence, joined by Trippier on the left flank and Jack Grealish who returns from injury as right flankers; fullback Bukayo Saka from RB Leipzig joins Phil Foden who missed out on Finland due to injury.
