Slovakia’s problems ahead of the match against Kosovo

Slovakia are considered favorites against Kosovo in the playoff semi-final for qualification to the FIFA World Cup.

But Slovakia’s problems are mounting ahead of the match on March 26 in Bratislava.

The Slovaks have problems with the national team, and even bigger ones at the federation. As for the national team, the problems concern players’ injuries. Slovak outlet “Sport24” wrote on Tuesday that head coach Francesco Calzona is going through one of the most difficult periods since taking charge of Slovakia.

The Slovaks’ main question is about captain Milan Shkriniar. The experienced Fenerbahçe defender has not played since February 19 because of an injury. The 31-year-old recently began individual training, while he was on the bench in the Turkish giant’s last three matches.

The Slovak outlet wrote that the key player in defence could be called up for the match against Kosovo without having had enough minutes on the pitch, and that playing him could be a major risk.

Slovakia’s squad will be announced on Thursday. Another major concern is Stanislav Lobotka, Napoli’s experienced midfielder. He has not played in the last two matches.

According to media outlets close to Napoli, coach Antonio Conte judged that Lobotka was not in the right physical condition to play against Lecce at the weekend.

Lukash Haraslin, who plays for Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic, was substituted in the 58th minute of the match against Slovacko at the weekend after complaining of an injury. Slavia Prague’s Ivan Schranz was substituted in the 31st minute of the match against Zlin.

Leo Sauer, who is seen as Haraslin’s replacement, has not played since February 8 because of a muscle injury.

Meanwhile, Tomash Suslov has played four matches for Verona after being out for six months because of a knee injury.

Robert Bozhenik is a confirmed absentee. He has a shoulder injury.

The Slovak outlet has not ruled out the possibility that Lobotka and Shkriniar will be called up and play, given the importance of the playoff for World Cup qualification.

The situation facing the Slovak federation is more serious. Its financial situation is considered very difficult. Slovakia’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, Rudolf Huliak, had even declared that the federation risked bankruptcy within three months.

But the federation’s president, Jan Kovaçik, who won another term a week ago, has denied this. He had complained that the federation had not received the funds it expected from the state.

Former federation president Frantishek Laurinec has spoken about the situation at the federation.

“The current situation at the federation is very bad, almost critical. It will be difficult to get out of it. A positive change could be achieved by qualifying for the World Cup. It would bring in revenue that could resolve the current financial problems,” Laurinec told “Pravda”.

He added that the Slovak federation has always suffered from a lack of funds.

In Slovakia, head coach Calzona’s salary of 70,000 euros a month has also become a topic of discussion. The Italian’s salary has been considered very high. Calzona nevertheless qualified Slovakia for “Euro 2024”. The Slovaks even made it through the group stage, while they were eliminated by England only after extra time in the round of 16.