Euro 2020: Germany In Focus

NOT FOR over a decade have England and Germany met at a major tournament, but the historical context of this rivalry remains as deep as ever. Gareth Southgate, whose missed penalty kick at Euro 96 saw England crash out of their own tournament at the hands of their fiercest adversaries, knows this better than anyone else.

Both England and Germany have underwhelmed at Euro 2020 so far, albeit for different reasons. While the former have struggled to find top gear in an attacking sense, the latter have looked erratic and out of control at times. Will everything be alright on the night? Here’s what Southgate and his players should expect from the visitors to Wembley on Tuesday evening.

 

What sort of team are they?

This is a large part of Germany’s problem right now – nobody, not least Joachim Low, seems to know what sort of team they are. Against France in their first Euro 2020 fixture, Germany struggled to turn possession into goalscoring opportunities. Then against Portugal, they created those opportunities, but at the cost of defensive resolution, conceding two in a 4-2 win.

Those defensive vulnerabilities were on display once more against Hungary when Germany’s lack of athleticism through the centre of the pitch was exposed. Indeed, the midfield pairing of Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan isn’t the sharpest and so there’s a good chance Southgate will target this area with the likes of Jude Bellingham, whose energy could be key.

Germany are suffering for being in the midst of a generational transition. That transition will accelerate after Euro 2020, when Low steps aside as manager, but until then Germany must find a way to bridge the gap between the generation that won the 2014 World Cup and a new generation. This leaves them in ideological no man’s land for the time being.

 

BET £10 GET A £5 FREE BET ON THIS GAME. CLICK FOR FULL DETAILS

 

Who are their key players?

While there is some debate in Germany over the position he should play, Joshua Kimmich is the beating heart of this team. The 26-year-old will likely be deployed as a right wing back against England – others believe he is more effective in central midfield – but he will still pull the strings from this area.

Robin Gosens has emerged as a genuine difference-maker for Germany at this tournament, but he will only thrive on Tuesday night if England allow him space in behind to exploit. So far, Southgate has been unwilling to unleash the attacking threat of his full backs and is unlikely to change this stance given Gosens’ quality.

Kai Havertz has proved his worth as a versatile forward during this tournament, but it’s Thomas Muller who continues to set the tone for the German attack. The Bayern Munich man is carrying an injury, but should still be fit enough to play at Wembley, which is bad news for England given Muller’s track record against them.

Thomas Muller has declared himself fit for Germany's game against England on Tuesday #EURO2020 | #GER #ENG pic.twitter.com/DtjiymXjFW

— Goal (@goal) June 27, 2021

 

Why should England be worried?

England should always be worried by Germany. There’s just something about the nation that knows how to get the job done at major tournaments. Even when Low’s side looked set to crash out of Euro 2020 at the group stage, they were able to dig deep and find what they needed to get through.

If England get drawn into a shootout, Germany could outgun them. Southgate’s side have yet to concede a goal at this tournament and so there is not yet known how they would respond to falling behind. They have also scored only twice in three games – are England capable of racking up the goals if required?

It’s only now that the true measure of this England team will be taken. Germany have at least faced high calibre opposition at Euro 2020 in France and Portugal. Low has a better idea of where his side is at this moment in time. Southgate, on the other hand, will find out a lot about his players, and himself, from this encounter.

PENALTY MISSED ❌

Gareth Southgate misses the first sudden death penalty. Advantage Germany.#Euro96Relived pic.twitter.com/KbBM1LcQmL

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 28, 2020

 

Score prediction: England 1-2 Germany (click to see the odds of this result)

 

 

BET £10 GET A £5 FREE BET ON THIS GAME. CLICK FOR FULL DETAILS