AGONA Profile: Slovenia, the biggest Nations League challenge for Greece
The AGONA Profile takes a closer look at the Slovenian national team, who will compete against Greece in League C of the 2020/2021 UEFA Nations League.
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Greece have certainly been placed in an intriguing Group 3 of League C. At first glance, the Greeks should have enough quality to defeat Kosovo, Moldova, and Slovenia, but nothing can be taken for granted. During the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, Kosovo impressed with several strong showings and still have a chance to make the competition through the playoffs, while the Slovenians have often proven themselves to be dogged opponents for any team to face. Moldova, on the other hand, should be comfortably beaten.
Slovenia will give Greece a stern test. Somewhat unpredictable opponents, the Slovenians are capable of beating supposedly strong opponents on their day, but they can also lose games which they were expected to win. Since the team began competing as an independent nation in 1991, Slovenia have qualified for three major international tournaments, participating in UEFA Euro 2000, the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the 2010 World Cup. In late 2009, Slovenia were widely predicted to be brushed aside by a slick Russian side including the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Yuri Zhirkov and Roman Pavlyuchenko, but they caused a shock by qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa on the away goals rule.
They have struggled for consistency in recent campaigns. Two years ago, Slovenia failed to win a single game in the inaugural Nations League, drawing three and losing three against Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Norway. In the following calendar year, the Slovenians subsequently missed out on Euro 2020, finishing in fourth spot of Group G behind Poland, Austria, and North Macedonia. Nevertheless, while they didn’t qualify for the tournament itself, Slovenia did catch the eye at times in qualifying as they defeated Poland, Israel, and Latvia in individual games. Slovenia are traditionally a lot stronger at home than on the road.
HEAD COACH
Matjaz Kek, 58, has been at the helm of the Slovenian national team since November 2018. So far, he has managed ten matches with Slovenia, claiming four victories, two draws and four defeats with a positive goal difference of +5 (16-11). It’s worth pointing out that Kek also coached his country between 2007 and 2011.
Kek has also previously coached Maribor, Al Ittihad, and Rijeka. In the past, he used to be a player before he turned his hand to coaching, enjoying a somewhat modest career in his homeland and Austria.
KEY PLAYERS
Benjamin Verbic is a tricky customer. A left-winger by trade, Verbic is one of the leading lights of the Ukrainian Premier League with Dynamo Kyiv, standing out with his direct approach, productivity, and competent technical skills. So far, the 26-year-old has registered ten goals and two assists with Dynamo Kyiv in the 2019/2020 season, almost always included in the starting line-up. Verbic has three goals in 24 appearances for the senior Slovenian national team.
Andraz Sporar, 26 years of age, has shot to fame this season. Initially, he began the campaign with Slovan Bratislava, helping his club defeat PAOK in the qualifying stage of the UEFA Europa League. In the winter transfer window, Sporting Lisbon came calling, signing the striker for a grand total of six million euros from Slovan. To his credit, Sporar has made a promising start to life in Portugal, scoring twice in the Liga NOS and once in the Europa League aggregate defeat to Basaksehir. Sporar has netted two goals in 19 games for Slovenia since making his debut in 2016.
Atalanta attacking midfielder Josip Ilicic is the main attacking threat from midfield for Slovenia. Valued at 22 million by Transfermarkt, Ilicic is in the form of his life in Italy, gaining 15 goals and eight assists in 21 Serie A matches to date. Ilicic, able to play as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker, will surely be the biggest danger for the Greek defence. The experienced 32-year-old has popped up with eight goals in 60 matches for his country.
