Ukraine vs England: Line-ups
Ukraine
England
Success on the Cards for England
#1
Picking up just three points from a possible nine in the group stage certainly did not spell success, but Shevchenko surely cannot care less about the manner in which his side have progressed as they seek a semi-final appearance at a major tournament for the first time ever.
#2
The only previous quarter-final outing for Ukraine at the World Cup or Euros saw them bow out to eventual winners Italy in the 2006 tournament, and with their 15-year wait for another last-eight appearance finally over, Shevchenko will endeavour to take inspiration from his celebrated playing days and navigate his side to an odds-defying win once more.
#3
Having navigated what may prove to be their most difficult test en route to the final, England supporters are understandably licking their lips at the prospect of another Wembley outing for the July 11 final, as a very winnable fixture with the Czech Republic or Denmark – both of whom still command great respect – awaits in the final four should England produce the goods in Rome.
#4
By keeping a clean sheet against Die Mannschaft in the last 16, England followed in the footsteps of the Germans in 2016 by not conceding in any of their first four Euros matches, but a nail-biting weekend could be in store, as all three of England’s quarter-final appearances at the tournament have been decided by a penalty shootout.
#5
Ukraine and England have not locked horns since playing out a goalless draw in a 2013 friendly, and the only time these sides previously met in the Euros came one year before that, during which a Wayne Rooney winner propelled the Three Lions to a 1-0 group-stage success.
DPP Verdict
With Ukraine set to deploy a similar system to that of Germany, England’s three-at-the-back formation ought to come good once again. While Shevchenko’s men deserve credit for making the last eight, it is fair to say that they have fluked it somewhat, and this time around, expect England to get the job done ahead of another Wembley outing in the semi-finals.
