Germany could go far in this summer’s Euro’s. They have Wirtz, Musiala, Nagelsmann and home soil on their side. But will it be enough to lift the trophy?
Home turf very rarely proves fruitful for host nations of European Championships. In fact, since its formation in 1960, only three sides have won the trophy on home soil, France the last to do so in 1984.
There looks to be a slim chance of Die Mannschaft making history in that regard this summer, with both England and France heavily favoured for the title over their hosts. But stranger things have happened, so here are four reasons not to count against the three-time winners.
Competition History
Real Madrid seem to be able to go far in every Champions League season, despite sometimes looking very below par in La Liga. It’s in their DNA. The same could be said for Germany in the Euro’s.
The Germans (including their time as West Germany) have reached the final four in nine of the last 13 competitions, reaching the final six times and lifting the trophy a record three times.
Although recent World Cups may beg to differ, they very rarely get embarrassed, often do the job against the potential banana skin nations and have a knack for winning by the odd goal. In tournament, knockout football, that resilient mentality often prevails, and the obvious fuel of playing in front of their own fans is bound to aid that.
Key Players
It’s been widely covered that England are alleged to have the most in-form players in the Premier League, La Liga and the Bundesliga at their disposal, but Germany’s blade certainly isn’t blunt.
Manuel Neuer is just the man for the big occasion. His blunder in the Champions League semi-final is long gone and he’s been there before at top-level tournaments. There aren’t many other ‘keepers that would give you as much reassurance as turning around and seeing the 38-year-old between your sticks. Plus, Marc-Andre ter Stegen isn’t the worst second choice, should things turn sour.
Bundesliga winners, La Liga winners, Champions League winners and semi-finalists all feature among their defensive options, with tremendous variation. From the reliability of Toni Rudiger to the flair of Max Mittelstadt to the versatility of Joshua Kimmich, they have it all.
Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich and Pascal Gross are three incredible options at holding midfield, each bringing their own ounce of creativity, movement and form, with captain Ilkay Gundogan at the heart of everything.
Then comes the fun. Leroy Sane. Jamal Musiala. Florian Wirtz. Kai Havertz. Four exceptional young talents who are on the back of groundbreaking or breakthrough seasons, with their individual successes playing a key part in their clubs’ accomplishments this season. And that's without even mentioning Thomas Muller.
The Manager
It’s quite hard to believe what Julian Nagelsmann has achieved at the age of 36. Then again, think of Will Still or Brighton-bound Fabian Hurzeler; managers are clearly getting younger and younger.
Bayern Munich was always going to be a tough ask for someone as inexperienced as him, but a Bundesliga title and a Champions League quarterfinal isn’t the worst first season, and they were just a point behind Dortmund in his second season when he got the boot.
It’s clear his reputation didn't take too much of a hit, with the logical next step being the national team job, as he replaced the man he also replaced at Bayern, Hansi Flick.
His traditional German style, with gegenpressing and possession at the heart of his play, has seen him become a popular figure within the dressing room and country, and his seemingly galvanising spirit is something that is cut out for tournament football.
He also shows a tremendous and unfearing ability to change styles, setups and formations both between games and during them, again a huge asset to an international coach.
Nagelsmann’s first major international tournament will certainly be one where he is judged with scrutiny, with the eyes of a nation closely watching on.
Fixtures
The group of death is a certainty Group B: Albania, Croatia, Italy and Spain. Germany will be grateful that they’ve missed out on that one.
Germany have had France, Spain and Portugal to contend with during their last two group stage outings at major tournaments - and before that, they sorrowfully dropped out of Russia 2018 at the hands of South Korea - so maybe it’s about time they were handed a more favourable draw.
Granted, Hungary, Scotland and Switzerland will be no pushovers, but they certainly are no France. Scotland tonight may just be the perfect opener. The Scots are massively out-of-form since qualification, and Steve Clark still doesn’t seem to know which formation to deploy, let alone who to start where.
If they can get through and top the group, as expected, then comes the potential struggle. They would then face second place in Group C, England’s group, before a likely quarterfinal against Italy or Spain.
But there’s never an easy way to an international title, and to be the best, you must beat the best. Their opening three plus the potential round of 16 tie gives the hosts ample opportunity to build momentum, something we know is so key at this level.
Is it coming home? Is it staying Rome? Or is it being won at home? All will be answered in the thrilling month we have ahead.