[Football Perception] Euro 2020 - Group F (Group of Death) France, Germany & Portugal

My final post of the ⚽ Euro 2020 perception series incoming! As group G is Group of Death, so I will show you my perception of three teams (France, Portugal, Germany), not two like the other posts. 😉

Group F is considered the Group of Death ⚔️, which features France (the reigning World Cup champions), Germany (three-time Euro winners), Portugal (the defending European champions), and Hungary (who has several stars like Willi Orban, Dominik Szoboszlai, etc.). Germany and Hungary will have home advantages as all the matches of the group will take place in Munich and Budapest. However, that won’t be a big deal with France – who welcomed back Karim Benzema and Portugal – who features a superb Cristiano Ronaldo 🌟.

France

Coach: Didier Deschamps

Appointed: July 8, 2012

Significant teams managed: AS Monaco, Marseille, Juventus

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Mike Maignan, Steve Mandanda

Defenders: Lucas Digne, Léo Dubois, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Koundé, Clément Lenglet, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Kurt Zouma

Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Thomas Lemar, Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Moussa Sissoko, Corentin Tolisso

Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder, Karim Benzema, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram

Players to watch

Defensive player: Jules Koundé

It’s hard to choose a defensive player that worth watching the most because every player in France’s backline is on the same level. However, Jules Koundé may be the most interesting player, and the reason is he has been underrated through seasons. He won the Europa League 2020 with Sevilla and if he won the Euro with Les Blues, he will promote himself to the world.

Creative player: Paul Pogba & N’Golo Kanté

There is an interesting fact that France hasn’t lost when Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté play together (14 wins and 4 draws). That will be the winning recipe for Les Blue, and Deschamps will continue to use it this summer. Let’s see if it is effective!

Offensive player: Kylian Mbappé

It’s unnecessary to say why Kylian Mbappé is worthy to watch. At the age of 22, he almost has everything – a World Cup winner, a Champions League finalist, and several titles – and he will want to complete his title collection with the European trophy this summer.

Conclusion

France has a staggering squad’s depth in every position if a player is injured or lacks form, they are easily replaced. Their only problem is they are lack competition after winning World Cup 2018, but that won’t be a big deal for Deschamps and his army.

Germany

Coach: Joachim Löw

Appointed: July 12, 2006

Significant teams managed: VfB Stuttgart, Fenerbahce, Austria Vienna

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Bernd Leno, Kevin Trapp

Defenders: Emre Can, Matthias Ginter, Robin Gosens, Christian Günter, Marcel Halstenberg, Mats Hummels, Lukas Klostermann, Robin Koch, Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle

Midfielders: Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, İlkay Gündoğan, Jonas Hofmann, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Jamal Musiala, Florian Neuhaus, Leroy Sané

Forwards: Kai Havertz, Thomas Müller, Kevin Volland, Timo Werner

Players to watch:

Defensive player: Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich is not a naturally defensive player, he is good at both creative and defensive roles and sometimes even offensive roles. With the ability to play in multi-positions, he will be an important player in Die Manschaf’s system.

Creative player: Jamal Musiala

The 18-year-old youngster proved himself in Bayern Munich this season with his great technical ability and plays with a level of maturity beyond his age. He can also play several different roles in the midfield.

Offensive player: Serge Gnabry

Die Mannschaft don’t have quality strikers as both Timo Werner and Kevin Volland don’t show any improvement in finishing. Therefore, Serge Gnabry will be a solution in attacking as he scored a team-leading eight goals in the qualifiers.

Conclusion

Like France, Die Mannschaft have a staggering squad’s depth in every position, even in the striker position if Timo Werner or Kevin Volland play at their true form. However, Germany bowed out of the World Cup 2018 in the group stage in an easier group. Will Germany repeat the history or overcome it?

Portugal (Portugal’s logo)

Coach: Fernando Santos

Appointed: September 23, 2014

Significant teams managed: PAOK, Porto, AEK Athens

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício, Anthony Lopes, Rui Silva

Defenders: Nélson Semedo, Pepe, Rúben Dias, Raphaël Guerreiro, José Fonte, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes

Midfielders: João Moutinho, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Danilo Pereira, William Carvalho, Renato Sanches, Gonçalo Guedes, Rúben Neves, Pedro Gonçalves, Sérgio Oliveira, João Palhinha

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, André Silva, Rafa Silva, Diogo Jota, João Félix

Players to watch:

Defensive players: Rúben Dias

Rúben Dias definitely will be the worthiest watching center-back not only in the Portuguese national team but the whole competition. He is one of the most important players of Manchester City on the road to the Premier League and League Cup winner, as well as the Champions League runner-up.

Creative player: Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes had his best season in Manchester United; he single-handled lead The Red Devils to the second position in Premier League and the Europa League’s runner-up. In this season, he scored 28 goals – which break Frank Lampard’s scoring record – and provided 17 assists in a total of 58 appearances. What’s more impressive is he just moved to Premier League for a season and a half.

Offensive player: Cristiano Ronaldo 🌟

It has to be Cristiano Ronaldo, always! Cristiano Ronaldo single-handled lead Portugal to the Euro 2016 final before the unlikeliest hero Eder scored the decisive goal for Portugal. He will look to defending the Euro title as well as breaking the record of most goals for the national team – which now belongs to Ali Daei (Iran). This can be a historic summer for Cristiano Ronaldo!

Conclusion

Europe’s Seleção has a deep and varied group of players in the front-line and midfield with several stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, etc. In the backline, there are not many options but all of them are solid and experienced defenders. However, they continue to rely much on Cristiano Ronaldo, and they need to be adapt if they lose him.

Author: Kuyet @ TrophyRoom

Images sources:

UEFA: https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0257-0e1a9292c2e6-cdb6aedd1778-1000–uefa-euro-2020-group-f-hungary-portugal-france-germany/

90min: https://www.90min.com/posts/france-euro-2020-preview-best-players-strengths-weaknesses

The Limited Times: https://newsrnd.com/sports/2021-05-22-france-team–who-is-jules-kound%C3%A9–selected-for-the-first-time-with-the-blues-.BJf3xg8Ku.html

Be Soccer: https://www.besoccer.com/new/france-have-never-lost-when-pogba-and-kante-have-started-together-468237

Goal: https://www.goal.com/en/news/mbappe-wants-olympic-gold-to-go-with-world-cup-winners-medal/4hkqjkdr0j6a13vnwosaal2ff

Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/manuelveth/2019/09/08/joshua-kimmich-debate-what-is-his-best-role-for-germany-and-bayern/?sh=7801370f3d8a

Football 365: https://www.football365.com/news/euro-2020-musiala-in-low-germany-squad

DW: https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-serge-gnabry-makes-it-9-goals-in-10-appearances/a-50362718

https://www.dw.com/en/winners-and-losers-of-germanys-euro-2020-qualifiying-campaign/a-51325317

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/11/euro-2020-team-guides-part-24-portugal