Who would have predicted an easy victory by the Germans over Euro 2024 tournament favorites France? The road to Euro 2024 is certainly becoming exciting for the host nation. Germany is set to face another European counterpart, the Netherlands in another friendly. The two teams aren’t strangers, with their last encounter ending up in a one-all-draw. With all the excitement happening for the German national team, they surely are longing for this important friendly win.
Why can Germany win this match also?
Germany’s Increased morale
Germany’s morale just elevated to the moon. How could it not be elevated after Germany just got World Cup winner Toni Kroos back into their squad? The Real Madrid maestro was recalled into the national team by Julian Nagelsmann after 3 years of international football retirement. With his quality in the midfield, it only took 6 seconds to have a goal contribution with an assist to young Bayer Leverkusen talent, Florian Wirtz who gave Julian’s men a 1-0 lead in 7 seconds. The 34-year-old brings back so much class, experience, and leadership in the middle of the field and it may be just what the Euro 2024 host nation needs.
Germany Getting Passed Euro 2024 No. 1 Favorites Easily
Not only did Nagelsmann’s men travel to Lyon, but they outplayed and got a well-deserving victory from the 2022 World Cup runner-ups. A 2-0 victory away from home means a lot to a desperate national team that needs to regain their confidence in winning ways. Although currently in their lowest world ranking since 2006, Germany dominated the game, in almost all areas with only little threat from France who had all players on the field except their regular no. 10, Antoine Griezmann.
Also Read: Injuries Rob Gareth Southgate Off His Top Full-Backs As England Prepares For Euro 2024
Germany with Hungry Generational Talents
Arguably the country with the best young talented duo, Florian Wirtz and Musiala. The two-star players played their parts in terms of goal contributions against France. Wirtz with the opening goal of the match in just 7 seconds with a stunner. Whereas Germany’s new number 10 Jamal Musiala assisted a goal to Havertz in the 49th minute of the match. Seemingly, a dangerous German team is being built around this deadly due. They are certainly troublesome and punishing to defend against the two of them. The two enjoy playing with each other with Jamal previously expressing this.:
“I love playing with Flo. I always feel comfortable with Flo.” Jamal Musiala about Florian Wirtz
What to expect from the Netherlands
Stability
It’s safe to say that the Netherlands is currently a much more stable team compared to the Euro 2024 hosts. Winning 6 out of 8 games from the qualifying matches of the European Championship and only losing to the tournament favorites France in both fixtures is not bad at all for the one-time European champions. They have also won 4 straight games with 4 clean sheets.
A Balanced Team of Players
Koeman’s team is composed of experienced players with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Georginio Wijnaldum, Memphis Depay, and Wout Weghorst. These players have been in the national team for some time, and they know what it’s like representing a country in important fixtures.
Quite several young talented players who can bring in something out of nowhere; Xavi Simons, Cody Gakpo, Jeremie Frimpong.
This combination gives the Netherlands a balanced team of players that can use both experience and talent to hurt the Germans or any other team they face.
Last 5 meetings
Since 2018 the two long rival teams have played 5 times with only one win for Germany, two wins for the Dutch, and two draws for the European giants.
Ned 1-1 Ger (Friendly 2022)
Ned 2-4 Germany (Euro Q 2019)
Netherlands 2-3 Germany (Euro Q 2019)
Ned 2-2 Germany (UNL 2018)
Netherlands 3-0 Germany (UNL 2018)
What do you think? Can Germany Triumph against the Netherlands?