“Football is a simple game,” Gary Lineker likes to jest, where “22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”
England will test that truism again in the last 16 of Euro 2020. It’s the latest instalment of one of international football’s great rivalries – so we are told, anyway.
The first matches between the two countries date back to the late nineteenth century and since then, a fair bit has happened. In the last 49 years alone, for example, the two countries have won seven major tournaments between them – no need to check the exact tallies of each.
In the German media this week, we have been firmly reminded that this is not another episode in some long-running and bitter feud. To describe it as such is a bit like saying Meghan Markle is engaged in a “rivalry” with Piers Morgan. Or that Martha Hancock’s fidelity is unreciprocated – we are delving into the realms of the ludicrously one-sided.
Whatever this match is not, it is a curious spectacle between one side which is yet to concede a goal at this summer’s tournament (and that honour actually belongs to England!) and another who, despite losing to France and drawing with Hungary, are one of the most daunting prospects against whom Gareth Southgate’s side could possibly have been drawn.
This is Joachim Low’s last hurrah. Surely that label also applies to the veterans he has brought back too, including Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller, but simultaneously, it is also a Germany side with a bright future ahead.
That much has been indicated by the breakthrough of Robin Gosens and the buzz of Kai Havertz. There is not always as much of an end product (for more on this, see Leroy Sane) yet after a relatively kind group draw, England may well have met their match.
Countering those fears is the fact that there is much to be excited about in the England camp, too. Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka were effervescent against Czech Republic, Raheem Sterling is in scoring mode, and both Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are now fit and ready to firm up a spine which has sometimes been lacking at previous tournaments.
How to watch England vs Germany
- Date: Tuesday 29 June
- Time: 5pm
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- TV channel: BBC One
- Stream: BBC iPlayer
- Highlights: ITV at 10.45pm
Team news
Phil Foden is back in contention having been rested for the 1-0 win over Czech Republic because he was already on a yellow card.
There are unverified claims that Saka will drop back down to the bench with Foden returning.
Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell are self-isolating up to and including Monday, after coming into contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour following the goalless draw at Wembley Stadium on 18 June. The Chelsea duo are still training alone and their involvement on Tuesday is in doubt.
Low has the greater concerns fitness wise, with Lukas Klostermann (thigh) out and Jonas Hofmann (knee) available but unlikely to start. Thomas Muller is back, but Antonio Rudiger also missed a day’s training with a cold – though the defender has since returned to the group.
The key battles
Walker vs Rudiger
Germany have been operating with a back three, with Rudiger on the left. Kyle Walker arguably needs to do more breaching of the final third if he is given the nod again over England’s plethora of right-backs and the Chelsea centre-back is far from faultless up against pace.
Kane vs Hummels
It has been a quiet tournament for Kane so far. Hummels has had the ball in the net more times than the England striker, albeit at the wrong end. Scotland’s marked the Premier League Golden Boot winner out of the game, but Hummels could easily be wrong-footed by a more lively Kane, just as he was by Kylian Mbappe in the France game.
Kimmich vs Shaw
If Chilwell does not return in time, Shaw should keep his spot – and in truth, he did more than enough against Czech Republic to do so anyway. The left-back was bold on the front foot and now, he will need to show his versatility
Gundogan vs Phillips
This season, Ilkay Gundogan has probably been one of the best examples that a central midfielder can offer so much more. Kalvin Phillips too has surprised at Euro 2020, his clinical through balls and transitions vindicating Southgate’s surprise selection of the Leeds man as first choice.
More from i on Euro 2020
- England aren’t ‘rubbish’ and Southgate isn’t a ‘fraud’ – we just need a bit of patience
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3qw8i4o
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