Having missed Euro 2020, Romania are back in action at the European finals for the first time in eight years. They currently hold the worst win percentage at UEFA finals, having won just once in a 3-2 win over England in 2000.
Ukraine are set to feature in their fourth consecutive appearance at the European Championships having clinched qualification via the playoffs in March.
The Blue and Yellow finished third in their group behind the Euro 2020 finalists Italy and England, eventually wining the play-off final 2-1 against an unpredictable Iceland side, who most recently beat the Three Lions' in their final warm up fixture.
The two teams will fancy their chances of escaping a group which is shared with Belgium and Slovakia, who also kick off their Euro 2024 campaign this Monday.
Romania Vs Ukraine Form Guide
Having impressed in qualifying, topping Group I with 22 points, Romania travel to Germany full of confidence and have been tipped as a surprise package for Euro 2024.
A pivotal reasoning for manager Edward Iordanescu’s success is his defensive line, who have kept six clean sheets in their last ten matches. During these games, Romania lost just once in a thrilling 3-2 encounter with Colombia.
However, the Romanian attack is rather bleak, failing to score in both of the warmup friendlies prior to the tournament against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein.
Ukraine themselves boast a strong defensive record with four clean sheets in their last ten matches and have shown no fear going head-to-head with European giants such as England and Italy.
During their 4-0 thrashing of Moldova last time out, Ukraine demonstrated their abilities to score goals with Heorhii Sukadov and Artem Dovbyk at the heart of everything in the final third.
Defeats are a rare sight for Ukraine with just two in ten matches, falling victim to Italy in Rome and the other loss coming in a recent friendly to neighbours, Poland.
Romania Vs Ukraine Predicted Line-Ups
Iordanescu is expected to set up Romania in a compact formation who will sit behind the ball and will look to pose a threat on the counter.
The back four will look to utilise their aerial prowess to martial Ukrainian danger of Artem Dovbyk, while the midfield will sit deep to limit the space in between the lines for Ukraine’s ball players.
Ukraine are likely to deploy a similar system with five midfielders which is favoured by manager Serhiy Rebrov. But the wide midfielders of Mykhailo Mudryk and Victor Tsyhankov will be given license to roam forward and stretch Romania.
A double pivot will be integral to break a low block with forward passes as well as add extra defensive cover when off the ball.
What to expect?
As Romania cruised their qualifying campaign, it would be rude to ignore what a well drilled and systematic team they are. But Iordanescu will acknowledge Ukraine’s pace and quality and will try to limit their chances in transition.
With four points usually being enough to qualify for the knockout stages, Romania will deem a point as a positive result and will look to slow the game down. On the ball, expect the defenders to take their time playing out from the back and off the ball, while Romania are likely to sit in and try to frustrate them.
Whereas, Ukraine have thrived due to slowing the game down to suit them but if it remains goalless, expect Ukraine to speed the tempo up in a fixture where they are deemed favorites.
The most anticipated outcome is that the added quality of Ukraine will shine through, and they will break the Romanian resistance and clinch a vital three points to launch their Euro 2024 campaign.
