- Date: Friday June 14 – 20:00 BST
- Location: Allianz Arena, Munich
- Teams: Germany vs Scotland
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Hosts Germany take on Scotland in opening match of Euro 2024
Germany will look to make a strong start to the tournament, however, they face a potentially tricky first match against Scotland in Munich.
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Germany
Germany are a team in transition and the start of Julian Nagelsmann’s reign has featured friendly defeats against Turkey and Austria. They face a challenging start against a buoyant Scotland side who will be looking to cause an upset against a side who will be under pressure to deliver both results and performances as host nation. Germany are historically strong contenders in tournaments and the weight of expectation will be there, both from the point of view of a host nation and as a traditional international heavyweight. They have won the Euros on three occasions. Going into the tournament they have received a boost in the form of experienced midfielder Toni Kroos making himself available for selection. The Real Madrid star had retired from international football after Euro 2020.
However, Germany still have a number of top quality players to call upon, including İlkay Gündoğan, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, the experienced Thomas Muller, and Kroos and they should have enough to win the group and make a strong challenge for the tournament.
Wins over France and the Netherlands in the latest round of friendlies suggest that Nagelsmann’s side are moving in the right direction and that the return of Kroos may well turn out to be a great move for all concerned.
Scotland
Scotland will kick off the tournament against hosts Germany on June 14 and, given their recent performances under Steve Clarke, will have every right to go into the match with realistic hopes of causing an upset against an opponent who are carrying a weight of expectation. Germany will be favourites against Scotland, and are a talented side, but they are in a period of transition and will have added pressure as tournament hosts.
Scotland have been extremely well organised under Clarke, and acquitted themselves superbly in a tough qualifying group, qualifying ahead of Norway, Georgia and Cyprus, behind Spain. As well as the hosts, seasoned international opposition in Hungary and Switzerland mean it will be a tough task to qualify from Group A. However, the Scots deservedly beat Spain in their qualifying campaign and are capable of causing any team problems. Midfielders John McGinn and Scott McTomminay are quality players, however, the great strength of Clarke’s side is the fact that they are greater than the sum of their parts. A reality check possibly game in the return match against the Spanish in qualifying where they lost 2-0 and a 3-1 home defeat to England, which shows that they still have some way to go. However, they are a dangerous side who are capable of upsetting the odds.
Since qualification, however, Clarke’s side have struggled to get results. The latest round of friendlies saw a heavy defeat to the Netherlands, where the Scot’s more open, attacking approach was exposed and a disappointing home defeat to Northern Ireland. However, Clarke has done an excellent job and will be determined to find the right formula ahead of the finals.
Prediction
The bookies make Germany favourites. They will be under huge pressure to deliver and Scotland are a well organised, determined team with a sprinkling of quality. However, we think that the Germans have turned a corner and will get the job done, Germany to win.
Munich
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