© Breaking The Lines 2017-2021. All Rights Reserved.

Could Germany Return to the Winners’ Circle at EURO 2024?

May 24, 2024
Opinion

Memories fade quickly in football. Germany has, in recent times, become something of a laughingstock on the international scene, failing to go beyond the group stage at the last two World Cups. Remember, this is a team that won the World Cup in 1990 and 2014, triumphed in the EUROs of 1996 and otherwise made the semi-finals (at least) in seven major tournaments from 1992 to 2016.

 

But maybe a corner has been turned. Bayer Leverkusen went 51 games unbeaten, Borussia Dortmund are into the Champions League final and Bayern, well, Bayern are as strong as ever. So, could Germany finally end their long wait for a major trophy on home soil this summer?

 

Home Comforts

 

Those that bet on EURO 2024 have done their bit to further Germany’s chances – backing the hosts into a price of 5/1, which is third only to England (3/1) and France (7/2). The guides for sports betting on the tournament won’t be slow to remind punters that host nations] generally have an excellent record at the EUROs – the home side reaching the semi-finals at least in eight of the last ten editions.

 

So, there’s a tide of support coming in for Germany, based not only on the performances of their players in domestic football in 2023/24, but also thanks to the national teams’ improved results of late. They’ve beaten a France side not far from full strength in Lyon back in March, before defeating EURO 2024 dark horses Holland just three days later.

 

 

 

Julian Nagelsmann’s stock may have fallen somewhat having been sacked by Bayern Munich in 2023, despite winning the Bundesliga title, but he appears to have hit the rest button to some tune with the national team. Blending pragmatism with the luxury of letting his attacking players be creative, Nagelsmann might have hit on the right blend at just the right time.

 

The Balancing Act

 

Nagelsmann will deploy an experienced back seven at the EUROs, which will allow a creative front four to flourish. Marc-André ter Stegen will likely get the nod ahead of Manuel Neuer in goal, while in front of him, Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah will bring solidity and confidence given the success of Real Madrid and Leverkusen respectively this term.

 

Joshua Kimmich will likely play as a more orthodox right back than we might be used to seeing from him, while on the left Maximilian Mittelstadt will be hoping to take his Stuttgart form onto the big stage. Toni Kroos will retire after EURO 2024 – wouldn’t he love to end his career on a high, with either Ilkay Gündogan or Robert Andrich alongside him as the double-pivot in midfield.

 

 

 

That’s a solid back seven, which should help to solidify the Germans – something that has been lacking in their big tournament efforts in recent years. Ilkay Gündogan will be given the licence to roam from central areas, while in attack there could yet be a place for late bloomer Niclas Füllkrug – eleven goals in 15 appearances at international level a hint of what the 31-year-old is capable of.

 

It’s not a perfect squad, by any means, but injuries and round pegs in square holes mean that a similar accusation can be levelled at England, France, and others. With home advantage on their side, who knows how far this Germany side can go.

EmailLinkedIn