We won't underestimate Slovakia, Gary Cahill tells FATV

Thursday 16 Jun 2016
Gary Cahill celebrates during England's victory over Wales

England defender Gary Cahill says the Three Lions are expecting a tough encounter when they take on Slovakia at Euro 2016.

The Three Lions know that a point in Saint-Etienne will be enough to secure a last-16 spot, with a win guaranteeing the top place in Group B.

England v Slovakia

UEFA Euro 2016
Group B
8pm (BST), Monday 20 June
Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne
Live on ITV

 

And Cahill wants to end the group stage on a high – though he's wary of underestimating a Slovakian side that is not yet sure of its own progression in the competition.

"We've put ourselves in a position where it (top spot) is in our hands, and we know that we need to win the game," the Chelsea man told FATV on the squad's pre-match visit to the Stade Geoffroy Guichard.

"To do that, we need to perform in the same way that we've done in the last couple of games – and I'm sure we will. We're very much looking forward to it and hopefully we'll come out of the traps flying.

"To top the group gives us the best chance to move forward in this competition, and that's our goal. We all know that and we're all aware of that.

"We want to finish top and we feel we're good enough to do that, so we have to go out and show that."


Slovakia currently have three points, having bounced back from their campaign-opening loss to Wales by beating Russia.

And Cahill says there's been plenty of evidence from the competition's first two rounds of matches to suggest tonight's game will not be any easy on.

"I've watched loads of games in this tournament and every single game has been tough," he affirmed. 

"You see games that you think on paper will be a convincing win and it takes until the last five or ten minutes to get a result, and it's been like that time and time again. Loads of goals have been scored in the last ten minutes, which shows how difficult this competition is and how hungry everyone is.

"They (Slovakia) are fighting for their lives. They need to get a result to stay in this competition as well, so we expect a tough game."

By Jim Lucas in Saint-Etienne