EURO 2024: Will the home team soar in the opening match?

SUPERIOR CLASS

From the audience's perspective, it seems that the Scottish team is not very lucky that they, and not any of the other 22 teams, have to play the opening match of EURO 2024 against the host team Germany. Having continuously disappointed in recent major tournaments, and even in friendlies throughout last year, the German team has turned up at the right time with an unbeaten streak in 2024. Now, they are determined to fly in the opening match to gain momentum.

Kai Havertz (Germany, left ) and Andy Robertson (Scotland) - two stars expected to shine in the opening match of EURO 2024

In addition to the mental aspect, Germany also needs to win to confidently test technical solutions in the remaining two matches (with the rather "easy" format of a 24-team finals, just winning the first match is almost completely reassuring). Statistics company Opta calculated that Germany has a 58% chance of winning, but according to the results of a survey by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), up to 74% of participants predicted that Germany would win (19% draw, 7% Scotland win).

This is only Scotland’s fourth appearance at the EURO finals. They have won just two of their nine group games in previous tournaments and have never made it past the group stage. This time, Scotland are up against a very strong opponent in their opening game. The difference in class between the two sides (at least on paper) is obvious.

The Scottish team was underestimated compared to its opponents.

It may sound strange, but in the eyes of the Scots themselves, the stronger the opponent… the better. Because at least that will be the motivation for Scotland to compete with a higher performance than their real ability. Scottish journalist Alex O'Henley commented that this will be the biggest match in a generation of Scottish football: opening the match against a championship candidate, and at the same time a special team. At the 1998 World Cup, Scotland also had to open the match against the reigning champions Brazil, and they played very well (but still lost, because of an own goal). Now it is the same: the whole football world will be glued to the opening match of EURO 2024, and the Scottish players will try their best, instead of being the background for the "main actors" on the field!

ALL EXPECTATIONS ON M C T OMINAY

Midfielder Kai Havertz will shoulder the goal-scoring burden for Germany, in the role of a modified striker. The German attack will be flanked by Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Captain Ilkay Guendogan will play as an attacking midfielder, with Toni Kroos behind him. This attack will take turns threatening the Scottish goal.

When it comes to "plan B", coach Julian Nagelsmann deploys striker Niclas Fullkrug or all-round midfielder Thomas Mueller. All are very familiar. We only need to say more about Wirtz - one of the best young faces in the world today. He just shone to help Leverkusen win the Bundesliga, and won the title of best player of the season.

38-year-old veteran Manuel Neuer will still guard the German goal, but in front of him is a defense that is not too highly rated. Nagelsmann will have to choose between Jonatan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck to partner Antonio Rudiger at center back. The full-backs will be Joshua Kimmich and Mittelstadt. It has been 8 years since Germany last kept a clean sheet in a major tournament (against Slovakia at EURO 2016). Can Scotland hope to breach such a defense? For now, Scotland's hope is pinned on... midfielder Scott McTominay.

Yes, McTominay is just a holding midfielder at United, but when he plays for Scotland, he stands taller and attacks more. McTominay was also a "phenomenon" at United, scoring regularly last season. In the EURO qualifiers, he also scored the most goals in his group (more than Erling Haaland for Norway).

But for now, McTominay will have to defend more than attack while waiting for his chance. Apart from McTominay, Scotland's strengths are concentrated on the left wing, where Billy Gilmour, Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney are present.

GERMANY HAVE 88% CHANCE OF GOING ON

According to the statistics firm Opta, Germany has a 56% chance of finishing first in the group stage; 24% chance of finishing second; 13% chance of finishing third and 7% chance of finishing bottom of the group. According to the rules, only the bottom team is eliminated while 4/6 third-placed teams will have a chance to advance to the knockout round. This means that even if they only finish third in the group, Germany's chances of advancing are higher than their chances of being eliminated. The chances of hosts Germany making it through the group stage are 88%. Scotland is the team with the highest chance of finishing bottom of their group: 34% chance; 30% chance of finishing third; 24% chance of finishing second; 12% chance of winning the group. Scotland has a 56% chance of making it through the group stage.

Book of Poetry

Striker Tien Linh: GERMANY CAN BE DIVIDED

A rejuvenated Germany team still dominated Scotland. However, their heavy reliance on talented midfielder Toni Kroos could be a downside for the hosts. Germany open their title bid at home with a tough game. They could end up sharing the spoils.

CENTRAL DEFENDER NGOC HAI : COTLAND CANNOT CREATE A SHOCK

I think the opening match will bring us a lot of emotions. The away team is not under pressure, not constrained, so they will play spontaneous football, but spontaneous football… within the framework. The German team will face many difficulties, but with the spirit of a great team, they will win. Although Scotland really wants to create a surprise, they do not have enough strength to create a shock.

Tieu Bao (recorded)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/euro-2024-chu-nha-bay-bong-ngay-tran-ra-quan-185240613235401627.htm