Before Europe’s premium international tournament started, Germany was among the 4 favourites to win the Euros. Along with England, Portugal, and France, the common notion amongst football fans was that Germany could go all the way. After Germany’s first two matches, this notion has only become stronger.
While the other three favourites won close encounters against massive underdogs in their first matches, the Germans cruised past Scotland, 5-1, in the opening match of the tournament. They played Hungary next on Wednesday, securing their second win, 2-0, thanks to goals from Musiala and Gundogan. With becoming only the second team to have ever scored 7 goals in their first two matches of Euros in this tournament’s history, the hosts have cemented their position as the lead favourites to win the competition. But what is it that makes them different? Or have the stars simply aligned?
Historical pedigree comes knocking
Football values heritage. And no other team besides, probably Itlay has more footballing heritage than Germany in Europe. “Die Mannschaft” have also been the most consistent national team barring the last 6 years in this century. The three-time winners of the Euros may not have won the European Championship since 1996, but they have made it to the semi-finals in the last 3 out of 4 Euro appearances. The 4-time World Cup winners also finished in the top 3 in the FIFA World Cup 4 times between the 6 World Cups in this century. While once going all the way in 2014. It was just a matter of time before the mighty Germans rose from their failures in the last 3 international tournaments. And that “time” seems to be “now”
The perfect mix of youth and experience
Not many national sides can boast about having the kind of experience and youth that “Die Mannschaft” possesses. To have 2 of the Euro’s youngest German goalscorers combining up top is a blessing like no other. Florian Wirtz has had a fairytale season at club level with Bayer Leverkusen and now has found himself a partner in crime in the national team in Jamal Musiala.
Feels weird to say that those two diamonds are not even the best players in that team. Because behind them stands tall the newly crowned 6-time Champions League winner, Toni Kroos, accompanied by Bayer’s Andrich. In what will be his last tournament before hanging up his boots, the “German Sniper” has been elegant like always. Accompanying this stellar midfield is another veteran and the captain of the team, Ilkay Gundogan. Between the sticks for Germany is Manuel Neuer possibly the best keeper of our generation. While Kimmich and Rudiger man the defence with Leverkusen’s Tah and Stuttgart’s Mittelstadt. Up top plays Kai Havertz, who has seen his career get revitalized after his move to Arsenal.
But sometimes having the right mix of players isn’t enough to make the team click into gear. As was evident in England and France’s performances in their opening games. But Julian Nagelsmann has found a way to make this team start in top gear itself. For the past few years, Germany had been playing with a wing play system that prioritized playing out-wide and attacking the box with pacy players like Sane and Gnabry. Nagelsmann seems to have given priority to his player profiles rather than a certain system. Acknowledging the abundance of talent like Wirtz and Musiala, who are creative and technical, but not pacy players. He has employed a more direct system where moving the ball in the final third becomes crucial with the front three being Wirtz, Havertz and Musiala. And Germany has been reaping results so far.
With that being said, will they go all the way? Only time will tell. But do they have it in them? Definitely.
