The European Championship qualifying match between Slovenia and Finland on Saturday night in Ljubljana is a really important match. Urheilu’s expert Miika Nuutinen expects better from Teemu Puki than in the previous qualifying window.
Finland will face Slovenia on Saturday 14.10. at 19:00 in Ljubljana in the European football qualifying match. The live broadcast on TV2, Areena and ‘s website starts at 18:30.
Huuhkajat celebrated a tasty 2–0 home win over Slovenia in the European football qualifiers in June. Saturday’s meeting in Ljubljana is a really important matchup for both countries’ EC dreams.
Slovenia is the favorite at home, but a draw would be a good result for Huuhkaj.
Sports expert Miika Nuutinen told what to watch in the match, among other things.
– Finland certainly has good opportunities, but Slovenia has improved its playing. There has been a lot of talk about the fact that they were not at all satisfied with their performance at the Olympic Stadium. I think that Slovenia is now a tougher opponent, Nuutinen begins.
Nuutinen returned to the events of the June match.
– Finland’s recent goal affected the image of the game. After that, Finland was content to be in a low block. Even the posts were on Finland’s side, even though the pressure was intense. The howling attacks were mainly counter-attacks. There were many situations where the pressure increased, and especially the left side of Finland (Richard Jensen, Ilmari Niskanen and Teemu Pukki) was in trouble from time to time, Nuutinen times.
Top goalkeeper Jan Oblak
Compared to the previous encounter, there was one big difference between the posts of Slovenia, because the top goalkeeper Jan Oblak is in playing condition again.
– We are talking about a player as important as Lukas Hradecky is for Huuhkaji. There is definitely a battle of goalkeepers ahead, Nuutinen referred to the meeting between Oblak and Hradecky.
Read also: The world star who enjoyed VIP treatment is the worst obstacle to Huuhkajie’s dream – Lukas Hradecky told about his moment in the doping test with Jan Oblak
Slovenia’s top pair has made a devastating mark at best.
– Benjamin Sesko and Andraz Sporar have developed their joint game as the qualifiers have progressed and have been absolutely unstoppable at their best. It is a big challenge for Finland to keep them under control. It will be interesting to see which players the head coach Markku Kanerva chooses downstairs, Nuutinen puntaroi.
Especially in special situations, Huhkajis have to be alert.
– Slovenia has created a lot of goal chances from special situations. Finland has to be careful and the challenge is perhaps tougher than against other countries, Nuutinen estimates.
Finland cannot afford to remain on the defensive in the same way as it did against Denmark.
– Slovenia’s dangerous top pair must be kept in check. Finland must be successful in its own attacks. If you think about the match against Denmark, for example, Finland has to stay on the ball for longer periods in order to keep the defensive moments shorter, Nuutinen stated.
In its previous European Championship qualifying match, in September, Finland lost 0–1 to Denmark on its home field at the Olympic Stadium.
Will Teemu Pukki raise his level?
In Huahkaj, eyes always turn Teemu Pukki, so this time too. Pukki was recently in a terrible mood in his club team Minnesota United. The four-goal MLS campaign was a tasty success.
Nuutinen sees that Puki has plenty of room for improvement from his performances in the previous EC qualifying matches.
– Pukki played modestly in the previous qualifying window. If you think about the recent history of the national team, then Pukki is quite a “talisman” for Finland, if you can say so. More is expected from Puki now, Nuutinen said.
How massively important is the match on Saturday ahead?
– The qualifiers are again at the watershed. A win or even a draw would give Finland an excellent position to fight for a place in the competition. We have to remember that Slovenia still has a match against Denmark to play, Nuutinen noted.
It is also worth keeping in mind that if two teams end up with equal points, the mutual matches will determine the placements in the group. So Finland has a 2–0 home win over Slovenia in its back pocket.
23.3. Denmark–Finland 3 to 1
26.3. Northern Ireland–Finland 0–1
16.6. Finland–Slovenia 2–0
19.6. Finland–San Marino 6–0
7.9. Kazakhstan–Finland 0–1
10.9. Finland–Denmark 0–1
Sat 14.10. at 19 Slovenia–Finland
Tue 17.10. at 19 Finland–Kazakhstan
Fri 17.11. at 19 Finland–Northern Ireland
Mon 20.11. at 21:45 San Marino–Finland
The best two of the group will qualify for the summer 2024 European Championships, which will be played in Germany.
shows all Huuhkajie’s qualifying matches live.
Sat 14.10.
Northern Ireland–San Marino
Slovenia–Finland
Denmark–Kazakhstan
Tue 17.10.
Finland–Kazakhstan
Northern Ireland–Slovenia
San Marino–Denmark
Finland will face Slovenia on Saturday 14.10. at 19:00 in Ljubljana in the European football qualifying match. The live broadcast on TV2, Areena and ‘s website starts at 18:30.