- Martin Skrtel believes this is the ‘right’ time for Slovakia to play England
- His comments are part of a broader positive discussion emerging from Slovak circles
- Listen to It’s all about to begin! EUROS DAILY: It’s time to support England!
Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel believes this is the best time for Slovakia to play England.
Skrtel, who played at Anfield between 2008 and 2016, is unimpressed with what he has seen from England so far at Euro 2024.
Slovakia are optimistic about their chances when they face England, whom they have never beaten, in the last 16 of the European Championship on Sunday evening.
After captain Milan Skriniar promised to ‘torment’ the Three Lions and declared his side was better, Skrtel threw his hat into the ring on Sky Sports News.
“I watched two games against Denmark and Slovenia and I have to say I was surprised and also a little bit disappointed,” he said.
Martin Skrtel believes this is the right time for Slovakia to play England
Former Liverpool defender is ‘disappointed’ in England as he knows they have ‘quality’
England will play Slovakia, who have never beaten them, in the last 16 of the European Championship on Sunday evening
‘I expected a little more from the England side and I think they could do much, much better.
‘We know they have quality and the tournament is just starting now, because it’s only about one match.
“It will be very difficult for us, but if I can say this is the right time for us to play against England because our team is performing very well and is full of confidence.
“If we can beat England (ever) it would be this time,” said Skrtel, who played 104 times for Slovakia and captained and played at two major tournaments.
A theme of optimism has emerged in the Slovak camp after finishing in third place from Group E.
They proved they were a strong contender with a win in the opening match against Belgium, but then lost to Ukraine and drew with Romania.
Captain Skriniar said: ‘I believe we will torment them. We have to try to play our game. The whole team believes we can surprise them.
‘We have the weapons to defeat them. Of course they are definitely better than us, but with teamwork we can beat them.
Skrtel collected 104 caps for Slovakia and participated in two major tournaments with them
Slovakia captain Milan Skriniar looks forward to ‘tormenting’ England on Sunday
‘They have a star-studded squad, but as a team we are better.
“We’ve been together for a month now, but it feels like we just met yesterday. We’re happy to be together, we spend time together off the pitch.
‘They will be under a lot more pressure and that can work to our advantage.
‘I felt from their previous performances that they rely a lot on individual quality and know that they have players who can decide games. But as a team we can handle it.’