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THE CLASH OF GIANTS

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GERMANY VS FRANCE 

The Allianz Arena in Munich is prepared to host an electrifying start to Germany and France’s Euro 2020 campaigns on Tuesday, June 15. Both teams will be looking to begin their campaigns with a bang and make an instant impact on the tournament. Drawn in the infamous “group of death” along with defending champions Portugal and underdogs Hungary, both Germany and France won’t want to take any risks.

 

 

Germany come into Euro 2020 winning seven of their eight qualifying matches and topping the group. They last played Latvia in a warm-up friendly and defeated them 7-1 and must be brimming with confidence coming into the tie. France also topped their qualifying group, scoring 25 goals in qualifying stages, winning eight of the 10 games played. They defeated Wales and Bulgaria in the preparation.

The Germans haven’t defeated France since World Cup 2014 with Les Bleus winning three of the last five contests between the two European giants.

 

 

The current world champion team France is one of the favourites to repeat their previously achieved feat when they won the World Cup in 1998 and Euros in 2000. On the other hand, their predecessors, the 2014 World Cup winners Germany have blown hot and cold, their qualifying campaign being balaned out by a 6-0 loss to Spain and a 2-1 home loss to minnows North Macedonia.

 

TEAM NEWS

Germany’s outgoing boss Joachim Loew will have a fully fit squad at his disposal with the exception of Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka. Goretzka has returned to training but has been ruled out of their first group stage game. Despite missing a star player, Germany has a star-studded midfield available to outshine the French.

 

 

Gundogan and Kroos are likely to feature in the midfield running the tempo of the game. Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller have been recalled to the squad after a three-year absence and both will most probably find a spot in the opening game’s starting lineup.

 

Loew will use his attacking wingbacks to keep the French wingers on their toes and force them to fall back to their bases and defend. A high pressing line can be a dangerous approach for the Germans with the likes of speedster Mbappe and Griezmann running at them, but Loew still might go with it to try and keep the French midfield quiet.

Germany Probable Lineup: Neuer; Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger; Kimmich, Gündogan, Kroos, Gosens; Havertz, Muller, Gnabry

 

The World Champions are moving in stride and their only injury concern is the Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema who limped off the field during their last friendly against Bulgaria. The 33-year old returned to international football after a five year exile. According to manager Didier Deschamps, his substitution was a precautionary measure and there’s nothing serious.

 

 

Deschamps prefers to play a 4-3-3 with Griezmann as the centre-forward acting as a False 9 using his brilliant dribbling and ball control to trouble the backline. Les Bleus will target the high German backline with the pacy Kylian Mbappe ready to burst forward and midfield maestro Paul Pogba ready with his pinpoint passes to feed the 22-year old.

 

The omnipresent N’golo Kante will provide extra cover to their defence and further secure Lloris’ goal.

France Probable Lineup: Lloris; Hernandez, Kimpembe, Varane, Pavard; Kante, Rabiot, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele

 

GAME CHANGERS

Joshua Kimmich will be the key to three points for Germany, both with his attacking and defensive inputs. Kimmich can play as a right back, right wing-back as well as a midfielder, protecting the defence.

 

 

Loew will most likely start him in his un-preferred position i.e on the flank, where he can provide inverted supporting runs to Gnabry and Muller and create chances from the wide areas. He can also be converted into a defensive midfielder in the later stages if Germany is in a position to sit back and hold a lead.

Antoine Griezmann has been Deschamps’ most lethal weapon against Die Mannschaft, having scored a brace in two of their last three clashes. The previous edition’s highest goalscorer can be a menace on counter-attacks with his quality finishing with either foot as well as his gifted close control on the ball.

 

 

The 30-year old is a hard-working team player who drops deep and helps the team build attacks as well as win the ball back in defensive transition. He has been one of the most complete French players of his generation and has been a reliable pick for his coach Didier Deschamps.

 

PREDICTION

Despite playing at home, Germany will have a tough time tackling the terrifying French side. As the most favourite side to life the trophy, France will like to begin the campaign with a win against fellow European giants Germany and take an advantageous position in the group of death. In recent years, Germany has been often exposed to counter-attacks, something that has been a speciality of Deschamps’ world champion team in recent years.

FootTheBall predicts France 2-1 Germany

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