#2 Marek Hamsik
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Slovakia’s main threat and star-man, without a shadow of doubt, is undoubtedly vice-captain Marek Hamsik. Right from the time he had been a part of the fearsome trio at Napoli alongside Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, his quality was never questionable.
Against Russia in the group stages, Hamsik produced one of the finest individual performances at this year’s competition: firstly setting up Vladimir Weiss for Slovakia’s opener with a stunning long-range pass from inside his own half, before smashing in a certain goal-of-the-tournament nominee, an absolute bazooka that actually came off a short corner!
Playing in a not-so-familiar deeper midfield role under Kozak, Hamsik plays a pivotal role at both ends of the pitch by making vital interceptions and tackles, strangling the opposition for possession and pushing ahead full throttle whenever any counter-attacking opportunity arises.
Despite a shift to the central midfield, he remains their biggest goal threat and this is testament to the fact that Hamsik’s performances remain critical to Slovakia’s fortunes.
