Euro 2024: Team Analysis and Predictions
As Euro
2024 approaches, football enthusiasts worldwide are eager to assess the
strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams. Let's take a closer look
at some of the key contenders:
France:
Didier
Deschamps' squad faced some challenges in recent friendlies, including a defeat
against Germany and a narrow win over Chile. Despite missing key players like
Antoine Griezmann, emerging talents like Warren Zaïre-Emery show promise.
France remains a formidable team to beat.
England:
Gareth
Southgate's team showed resilience with a late equalizer against Belgium after
a loss to Brazil. The performance highlighted the importance of having players
like Harry Kane fit for the tournament.
Germany:
The Euro
2024 hosts, Germany, enter the competition with renewed confidence following
victories against France and the Netherlands. Led by Julian Nagelsmann, the
team's midfield strength and emerging talents like Florian Wirtz make them
formidable opponents.
Spain:
Despite a
draw against Brazil, Luis de la Fuente's Spain showcased superb performances,
particularly from young talents like Lamine Yamal. The team aims to learn from
setbacks and capitalize on their strengths in the upcoming tournament.
Portugal:
Roberto
Martínez's Portugal suffered its first defeat but remains a strong contender
with key players like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. The team's focus now
shifts to addressing weaknesses and preparing for the challenge ahead.
The
Netherlands, under Ronald Koeman, displayed a mixed bag of results and
formations in recent games against Scotland and Germany. Despite a convincing
4-0 victory over Scotland, the Dutch side faced a challenge from the visitors
who dominated proceedings for much of the match. However, the Oranje showcased
their ruthlessness with three late goals. In their game against Germany,
although taking an early lead, they struggled defensively, conceding twice.
Koeman's squad looks potent but needs defensive solidity for the upcoming
tournament in Germany.
Belgium:
Belgium,
coached by Domenico Tedesco, ended the international window unbeaten in 12
games. However, their performances were not entirely convincing. A goalless
draw against Republic of Ireland and a lucky 2-2 draw with England raised
questions about their form. Despite possessing talent like Kevin De Bruyne,
defensive errors remain a concern for the Red Devils, casting doubts on their
contender status for Euro 2024.
Italy:
Italy, led
by Luciano Spalletti, returned from their international tour with two wins,
showcasing their pressing and work ethic. Players like Nicolò Barella and
Lorenzo Pellegrini proved their quality, although concerns persist regarding
the striker position. Genoa’s Mateo Retegui impressed with two goals, but depth
in the striking department remains a worry for Spalletti as they prepare for
the Euros.
Croatia:
Croatia,
after lifting the ACUD Cup, displayed versatility in formations and strategies.
Switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation proved successful, showcasing their
adaptability. Despite a tedious semi-final, they emerged victorious in the
final against the hosts, Egypt, with a convincing 4-2 win, indicating their
readiness for Euro 2024.
Austria:
Austria,
managed by Ralf Rangnick, demonstrated a strong start, securing a
record-breaking goal against Slovakia and a convincing 6-1 win over Turkey.
Despite missing key players, their attacking style and clinical finishing were
evident. With a fifth consecutive win, Austria's confidence is high as they aim
for success in the upcoming tournament.
Denmark:
Denmark,
led by Kasper Hjulmand, showed a mixed bag of results with a goalless draw
against Switzerland and a 2-0 victory over the Faroe Islands. Despite
experimentation with different systems, criticism arose, questioning Hjulmand's
choices, especially regarding Christian Eriksen's selection. However, Hjulmand
defended his decisions, emphasizing the need to prioritize winning games.
Hungary:
Hungary,
under Marco Rossi, secured two wins during the international break, defeating
Turkey 1-0 and Kosovo 2-0. While facing challenges in the first half against
Kosovo, halftime changes sparked a resurgence, showcasing Hungary's resilience
and current unbeaten streak in international football, led by captain Dominik
Szoboszlai.
Switzerland:
Switzerland,
managed by Murat Yakin, experienced a draw against Denmark followed by a 1-0
victory over Ireland, with Xherdan Shaqiri's impactful return to the starting
lineup. The win provided a much-needed boost after a string of winless games,
highlighting promising debuts by Vincent Sierro and Dereck Kutesa.
Romania:
Romania's
performances, drawing 1-1 with Northern Ireland and losing 3-2 to Colombia,
revealed defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of attacking prowess. Despite
glimpses of quality, particularly Ianis Hagi's goal against Colombia,
improvements are necessary for Edward Iordanescu's team ahead of Euro 2024.
Poland:
Poland
celebrated qualification for Euro 2024 with playoff wins against Estonia and
Wales. Displaying ruthlessness and unity, they thrashed Estonia 5-1 and
triumphed over Wales in a penalty shootout. Michal Probierz's team showcased
determination, transitioning from individual talent to a cohesive unit,
providing Robert Lewandowski the opportunity to shine in what may be his final
major tournament.
Serbia:
Serbia
faced criticism for what some perceived as a political move in their fixture
against Russia, leading to a 4-0 defeat in Moscow, followed by a narrow 1-0 win
against Cyprus. Dragan Stojkovic's team showed glimpses of potential but lacked
fluency.
Czech Republic:
Czech
Republic enjoyed a successful international window under Ivan Hasek, securing
two 2-1 victories against Norway and Armenia. With an unbeaten streak and a
squad featuring players like Tomas Soucek and Patrik Schick, they aim to make
an impact at Euro 2024.
Scotland:
Scotland's
form raised concerns after a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands and a 1-0 defeat
against Northern Ireland. Steve Clarke's team struggled defensively and
offensively, highlighting the need for improvement before facing Germany in the
summer.
Slovenia:
Slovenia
impressed with a 2-0 win over Portugal, showcasing a resilient defense and an
energetic attack led by Benjamin Sesko. Assistant coach Bostjan Cesar praised
the team's performance, earning recognition from Portugal manager Roberto
Martínez.
Turkey:
Turkey's Euro
2024 hopes were dampened by back-to-back defeats, including a humiliating 6-1
loss to Austria. Vincenzo Montella's side struggled to convert chances into
goals, raising concerns about their attacking options and overall performance.
Ukraine:
Ukraine's
victory over Iceland not only holds geopolitical significance but also
showcases their rich talent. With world-class goalkeepers and promising players
like Georgiy Sudakov and Oleksandr Zinchenko, coach Sergiy Rebrov aims to
refine the team's consistency for a strong showing at Euro 2024.
Slovakia:
Slovakia
faced challenges due to key player absences but showed improvement in their
draw against Norway, with young center-back Adam Obert shining. Coach Francesco
Calzona seeks to overcome hurdles and elevate Slovakia's performance despite
his dual roles.
Albania:
Albania
suffered defeats against Chile and Sweden but displayed resilience, creating
chances despite setbacks. Coach Sylvinho remains optimistic, emphasizing the
need to capitalize on opportunities to make an impact at Euro 2024.
Georgia:
Georgia's historic qualification for Euro 2024 was marked by spirited victories against Luxembourg and Greece. Coach Willy Sagnol lauded the team's determination and the unwavering support of Georgian fans, setting the stage for an exciting debut at the major tournament.