Host nation Germany opens the competition Friday versus Scotland. Ironically, the match will be played at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena where Julian Nagelsmann once managed the iconic German club before an ignominious dismissal. A Euro championship would do wonders for the young manager’s redemption arc. The Germans, despite their home advantage for the tournament, remain fragile despite some encouraging recent results under Nagelsmann. Die Mannschaft did not make it out of the group stage in the last two World Cups and was knocked out in the Round of 16 in Euro 20. The Germans, like Arsenal, will attempt to use Kai Havertz at striker for lack of better options. Former Manchester City and current Bayen Munich star Leroy Sane is nursing an injury, a damaging blow as the speedy Sane is one of the few players with pace on the German side.
Spain’s opening match on Saturday could be one of the more challenging this weekend as La Roja faces an aging but still dangerous Croatia. Spain is always a threat with its technically proficient possession-based style though it joins Croatia and Italy, along with Albania, in what is regarded as this tournament’s “Group of Death.” Manchester City star Rodri is a dominant figure in a Spain’s midfield which is the strength of the team. The Spaniards lack scoring punch, however, evidenced in an unhealthy dependency on team captain and former Chelsea and current Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata. Spain’s 16-year-old Lamine Yamal is poised to become the Euro’ youngest player ever to appear in the tournament.
Getting Ready 💪🏾🔥 #euro2024 pic.twitter.com/camKdpK0Tr
— Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸 (@LamineeYamal) June 14, 2024
England takes to the pitch on Sunday versus Serbia. The Three Lions are favored by many to take home some long awaited silverware to their island nation. England came tantalizingly close when it lost in penalties to Italy the last time this tournament was staged. The star-studded English roster includes Bundesliga scoring leader Harry Kane, Premier League Player of the Year Phil Foden and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham who was voted the outstanding player by fans for a Real Madrid side which swept to Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles this past season. England has multiple weapons in attack, the potential to be quite good in midfield and an injury riddled back line which could prove its downfall.
An imposing France squad is led by perhaps the world’s best player in Kylian Mbappe. The young Frenchman, currently in transition from PSG to Real Madrid, is co-favorite with Kane to walk off with the tournament’s Golden Boot. The ageless Olivier Giroud, a former Premier League star for Arsenal and Chelsea, is expected to start alongside Mbappe in the 37-year-old’s likely last appearance for his country. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate should start at center back for the Frenchmen but Arsenal center back William Saliba, one of the Premier League’s best defenders, has surprisingly found it difficult to crack Manager Didier Deschamps lineup. France opens against Austria on Monday.
A dangerous Portugal squad includes the timeless Cristiano Ronaldo returning from the sands of Saudi Arabia to compete in his sixth European Championship. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and Manchester City teammates Bernardo Silva and Ruben Diaz lend a Premier League flavor to the Euro 2016 winners.
Defending champion Italy is a longshot for this tournament though their 2021 win was a surprise as well. The Italians have said goodbye to legendary defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Georgio Chellini while former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca will need to have a big tournament if Italy is to pose a threat.
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