Introduction
After witnessing a bunch of quality fixtures in the round of 16 of the European championships till now. We are now down to the last matchday of it with another high voltage clash up on the cards to take place. Football fans all around the world will be waiting eagerly for this fixture. As this being held in the knockouts spices it up even more. Former world champion Germany lock horns with the Three Lions at Wembley in what is going to be an enticing fixture. Both the teams will play all out in this fixture with an eye to seal a quarterfinal berth. England has not won a major trophy for long and no wonder that they are hungry to win one. They have an excellent blend of youth and experience in the squad along with quality impactful players.
Gareth Southgate’s men have not so been quite impressive enough in the group stage. They definitely need to play up to their ranks if they are to fare good against this strong German side. This England team has great potential and playing up to their ranks may see them outclass any team on any given day.
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Germany, on the other hand, has sneaked into the knockouts with a win against Portugal and a draw against Hungary. Frankly speaking, they didn’t play any eyecatching football in the tournament still now and have to lift their game in the knockouts. This is the last tournament of the Die Mannschaft under worldcup winning coach Joachim Loew. Certainly, the players would like to bid adieu to him by gifting him with this year’s Euro trophy. They have a good squad and excellent players in all positions on the field. They now need to execute the right plan and find a way to get past the tricky English side.
If the Germans play as they played against Portugal, they can blow apart any team on their way. It remains to be seen which team can hold their nerves better in the game and emerge victorious in it. It’s now all to play for at the Wembley stadium, tighten your seatbelts as we are going to witness a very competitive contest between these two sides.
Why To Watch Out For
Certainly, there is nothing to prove about the greatness of this clash and absolutely no reason in the world can justify why you should miss it. Two top-ranked sides in Europe are going head to head against each other in the knockouts of the Euros. What can anyone need more to explain to a non-football fan about the importance of this match? Germany is the favorite going into this clash and they should be. The team has had many below-par performances over the past few years and this time they need to pull above their ranks if they are to achieve something.
This tournament will be the last one for Loew who would like it to finish off with a major trophy. Since their exit from the group stages of the 2018 WC, nothing has gone good for the Die Mannschaft’s. But this time they have a good squad with the proper mindset of winning and most importantly have a fighting spirit. They would undoubtedly want to defeat England today at their own den and progress further in the last tournament under Loew.
England also has a point to prove to their fans that they can also do something extraordinary. Each time, in a major FIFA competition, they have bowed down in the knockouts playing some half-hearted football. But this time around, they have an excellent squad depth which can frighten many 6 opponents. They have almost two backups in every position and that what’s makes them a complete team. The main problem is with their scoring goals upfront and that’s where Southgate needs to focus upon the most.
England will surely address these major concerns ahead of the Germany game and will try to progress further in the tournament. Now it’s up to Southgate’s men to deliver it on the big stage when it matters the most. Let’s see now who comes out on top in this battle of two European giants. The match is slated to start at 21:30 IST or 16:00 GMT.
Recent Form
Germany
The Die Mannschaft’s are traveling to Wembley after playing out a frustrating 2-2 draw against Hungary in the last matchday. They did everything possible they could do to win but were undone by the indomitable fighting spirit of the Hungarians. They were twice ahead but bottled in the last to concede a silly equalizer both times. Hungary broke the deadlock thanks to an excellent strike from Adam Szalai in the 10th minute of the match. Germany leveled through Kai Havertz just after halftime and again Hungary took the lead from an Andras Schafer strike. Tensions arose in the German camp and they were able to salvage some pride only after Goretza scored.
They can’t afford to slip up even a percent in these types of knockout fixtures. Against Hungary though, they were completely the dominant side maintaining about 79% of the possession. They took a whopping 18 shots at the opposition goal but failed to find the back of the net. There was pure evidence of the team lacking creativity in the final third. Midfield is also underperforming but it is balanced by good performances from Kroos and Kimmich. Joachim Loew needs to properly sort out the problems before the England game or otherwise, they have to suffer. The only game where we saw the real Germany was against Portugal. If they can play again with such high intensity, they are destined to progress further. Let’s see if they can beat the powerful English side who are defensively sound and decent in all aspects.
England
The Three Lions will be high on confidence when they face the German side at Wembley tonight. They are coming onto this game after edging out the Czech Republic 1-0 to grab the top spot in the group. It is not so good for Kane’s side who are finding it very difficult to score past the opponents. Yet they are managing to find a goal somehow and keeping clean sheets which are contributing to their win. Against the Czech Republic, Raheem Sterling scored his second goal of the tournament to bag a sneaky win. Jack Grealish was the assist provider who played impressively throughout the match. England was the dominant side though and kept 56% of the possession of the ball. But they took only 8 shots among which a meager 3 were on target.
It is evident from England’s matches that they aren’t able to stroll in the park against easy teams also. They have to struggle their way out because of not creating enough chances in the opposition box. Southgate needs to pick the best XI out of his squad and make sure that the best players are there. He has been criticized much for not selecting the right playing XI and sticking with the same old players. Psychologically, England will have a slight advantage as they are playing at their home ground and having home support. Now it is up to them to live up to the expectations of the people and advance to the quarterfinals. Expect an excellent performance from the English side in their matchup against Hummels and Co.
Team News
Germany
The Germans don’t have any major injury headache going into the clash with the Three Lions. Their only concern is the injury of Lukas Klostermann who remains sidelined due to a thigh injury. Other than this, there are no known injury cases on the team. Joachim Loew has otherwise a fit squad to choose from.
Predicted Lineups
England
Gareth Southgate has recently been hit by a host of complications due to covid related isolations. After Billy Gilmour tested positive for COVID-19, Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell were also forced to isolate for a number of days. It is learned that after they have both tested negative, they can now come out of quarantine on Monday morning. Southgate can now include them in the squad for the Germany game. Harry Maguire has recovered from his injury and so the defense is well sorted ahead of the game. There are no known injury cases in the camp as of now.
Predicted Lineups
Players to Watch Out For
Germany
Toni Kroos
The German Sniper, as he is popularly called at his club RealMadrid, is the fulcrum of the whole German side. He controls proceedings from the midfield and is the driving force of the team as well. His midfield battle with Rice and Phillips could potentially decide the outcome of the game. An apt passer of the ball, Kroos is also excellent in performing defensive duties as well as creating the play. The man who has come after such a standout season at Madrid would also be trying to dish out a solid performance against England. Loew would certainly depend upon him to come good in this match.
Antonio Rudiger
The Chelsea man has been in sensational form for both club and country since Tuchel took over. He has been the main man behind providing defensive stability to his side. Though they have leaked goals of late, Germany wouldn’t be doing that against England hopefully. Rudiger and Hummels form a deadly partnership at the heart of the defense and they would be happy to find a misfiring England side in front of them. Rudiger is the undaunted king in winning aerial balls, performing excellent timely blocks and tackles and other aspects as well. Loew would depend upon him in such a high-intensity clash to keep the England attackers at bay tonight.
England
Kalvin Phillips
The young Leeds United star has started the Euro 2020 campaign on a high note after receiving the MOM award in the first match against Croatia. Since then, there’s no one stopping him and he has delivered decent performances one after the other for them. Phillips is an excellent inch-perfect passer of the ball as well as having quality defensive attributes also. It makes him a complete central defensive midfielder who plays as a bridge betwen the defence and attack. Against the strong German side, Southgate would hope that his midfield maestro remains in top notch.
Raheem Sterling
Many considered him as a surprise inclusion in Southgate’s squad for the Euros. But the Man City star is shutting off critics by delivering awesome performances in England colors. He didn’t have the best of seasons activity last year but he has turned up for England in a delightful manner. His runs down the wings and crossing abilities are an invaluable asset to his team. Though many believe that they hadn’t seen the best of Sterling yet, one wouldn’t be surprised if he delivers that tonight. He will be the main go-to man for the England coach when his side fights it out with Germany for a place in the quarterfinals.
Conclusion
In all respects, this match is going to be an enthralling and engrossing one. Germany would want to felicitate coach Joachim Loew in his last tournament as a coach with a trophy. For that to happen, they have to cross this hurdle first and then think of progressing further. For Southgate’s men, unquestionably, it’s their biggest chance to take a shot at the trophy.; Having one of the best squads in the competition, it’s now all up to them to deliver quality performances with the national side. Expect for a fierce as well as charming encounter to occur at Wembley tonight. Let’s expect an eventful clash to occur!! We at BTM would hope that the best team might win and go through to the quarterfinals.
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