EURO U21 2025: Slovak footballers lost with Italy (reactions)

Trnava. He was perhaps the most precious guest. The legendary Italian goalkeeper and world champion Gianluigi Buffon stood on the VIP stands of the Trnava arena. Applauded and showed a raised finger. His team is progressing.

On the other hand, most players Slovakia She stayed on the ground, covered her faces. Tears also fell. Slovakia’s football players in the second match at European Championships under 21 years of age have lost with Italy 0: 1.

« We regret it because we had the quality to overcome them. We did not score and it decided, » described Winger Adrián Kaprálik. The situation in the A. Group is clear after two rounds.

Slovaks can no longer advance. Furthermore, the Italians and the Spaniards go to the quarterfinals. Both favorites won their matches.

« We played great, but we didn’t score. The Italians defended well. Maybe we wanted too much and that tied us, » Kaprálik added. His team lost both matches in the tournament. In the second match, Žilinčan jumped into the game as a substitute. It is disappointed from the fall.

« What should I feel? Sadness, » the Kapralik nodded.

Video: Kaprálik after losing to Italy

The Slovaks had a predominance in most statistics. They had thirteen shooting attempts, but only one headed for the gate.

Lively than in Bratislava

« The last thirty minutes played everywhere. I think fans were happy with our game, but we don’t have the results, » Kaprálik sighed.

Shortly before the match there was busy stadium. The taverns full, many had to wait a long row for beer.

More than 15,000 people came. The national team under 21 moved from the Brick Field to the Anton Malatinský Arena in Trnava. The atmosphere was a little livelier than before in Bratislava on Saturday evening.

From the beginning, fans have encouraged, screamed and applauded even more. Slovak players also started more active than the opponent.

Already at the beginning, however, they were frozen by the goal of the Italians, which was preceded by more individual mistakes.

Stupid goal, Kaprálik admitted

« They got a bad goal, literally stupid, » Kaprálik described.

The Italians were enough for one successful event and the Slovaks were punished.

“Light loss of ball and misunderstanding among our players. Unfortunate reflection. We haven’t organized so well in defense.

Maybe I could wait and go into slip. These are moments where you have to decide in a second, ”explained the tracker Adam Obert.

Video: Cesare Casadei and his goal to 1: 0

Coach Jaroslav Kentoš made one change compared to the first match when he put Maria Sauer in the basic line -up instead of Dominik Hollý.

« We lacked happiness or balance in the end, » described Mario Sauer. The older of the brother couple of representatives only a few days ago transferred from Žilina to FC Toulouse.

Video: Mario Sauer after losing to Italy

« Football can be unfair, we were better than the opponent, it will hurt, » added M. Sauer.

Thirteen fouls to Suslova

The events of the Slovaks were mainly played by Tomáš Suslov. Verona was very active and the Italians usually stopped him only by foul. It was a frequent picture. Suslov took the ball and the opponent sent him to the ground in the bud.

Many times. Thirteen times. He gave out, went to the stop and was all conquered. The last minutes were barely walking and crooking.

The Slovaks tried to equalize, attacked the Italians and won the balls. They had more of the game, but the final phase did not come out.

« We are very sad because we did not deserve it after such a performance, » said Adam Obert. « I think we have pleased the fans, although the result has failed, » added the leader of the Slovak defense and tracker Cagliari Calcio.

Rigo had the best grade

The young Slovaks felt they were better than the Italians.

« I think we all perceive that this is a big disappointment. After excellent performance, we certainly deserved more than playing. All fans and players perceive it, I think we left everything on the pitch, » said midfielder Tomáš Rigo.

According to Metrica Sofascore, he was the best player of the Slovaks, he got a stamp 7.9. He had the most touches and scored up to four key passes.

« Unfortunately, football is sometimes like that and today it just didn’t want us. They were two or three times at our gate, otherwise we only attacked the whole match. It’s about efficiency. » He thinks Rigo.

The Slovaks will end their work at the championship on Tuesday, when Romania calls on the Brick Field.