Euro 2020 Archive Thread

The Cruyff Turn
813

Looks like they’ll continue playing 3 at the back, will be interesting who plays on the right side of that.

Not a prolific striker there, they’re all either wide forwards, wingers, attacking midfielders or second strikers (one of the best at that, Muller).

Obviously the best parts of the team are in goal and central midfield. Options like Kimmich, Kroos, Gundogan, Goretzka… with Can (who will probably continue covering all sorts of different defensive positions) and Neuhaus in backup roles… tasty.

By the way, DFB had a very amateurish attempt not long ago, trying to lure Borna Sosa (Stuttgart’s LWB with ) to play for them and not for Croatia. The kid actually expressed interest, saying that he’d see it as a nice opportunity for his career.

Was a little bit disappointed that he didn’t get a proper chance yet for Croatia, which can be questioned to Croatia’s head coach, but there were other circumstances as well (playing in Bundesliga II last season, the odd injury, U21 games, which can also be questioned over it’s priorities).

What DFB, the player himself, but probably even more than him, his agent, failed to recognize… is that he actually can’t play for Germany’s senior team anymore, because he featured in Croatia’s U21 official games. Total unexpected lapsus from all two parties and it created a mess in public for a few days.

Now it’s sorted, DFB acknowledged their mistake, the player apologized for his quotes and made himself available for Croatia whenever he deserves and he gets the call. Euro 2020 comes too early, but him and Bradaric of Lille could be Croatia’s next future in that LB position.

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814

So Germany don’t have any good CB, wingbacks, and strikers, but they are loaded in midfield and wide attacking areas?

815

The attack looks impressive. How is their defence and midfield???

816

Mmmmmmmm João Cancelo and Rúben Dias (PL player of the year) play every match for City and the Portuguese can always find a butcher who can play at 6. :sunglasses:

817

Yeah they had a good season although João Cancelo has resurfaced recently. Semedo had a very underwhelming season, Pepe is rather old and Patricio is a very average GK. Over all, Portugal is one of the better teams. I look forward to watch their games.

818

Wouldn’t surprise me if they won it again, would definitely have them as favourites along with France. I think a lot of sides might struggle with the balance of their team but looking at that squad Portugal can have no excuses. Potentially a bit slow in central defence but I can’t see many other weak areas in that team. Looks like they have a great set of midfield options with pretty much every base covered in terms of defensive stability, creativity, energy to get around the pitch etc. Up there with France and England in terms of having the strongest attacking options as well, and then obviously you have the Ronaldo factor.

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819

I don’t think he is the talisman any more. He tends to become the focus of their play and easy for opponents to mark/close him out of the game. Portugal is way more fluid without him.

820
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821

SPAIN

Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Unai Simon (Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton)

Defenders: Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Diego Llorente (Leeds), Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Rodri (Manchester City), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli), Pedri (Barcelona)

Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Manchester City), Adama Traore (Wolverhampton), Pablo Sarabia (PSG)

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822

Thiago isn’t a starter is he for them?

823

He was, but lost his place in the 11 in last outings. He will probably be in rotation from the start of the tournament, and then they’ll see. It’s probably Spain’s strongest area of that squad.

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824

Cool, cheers for that.

I have to say now we’ve got third and everything I’m kind of looking forward to this, would hope that Hendo wasn’t going but no issues with the rest (though Robbo needs a rest, saying that I can’t see Scotland lasting beyond the first knock out if that).

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825
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826

Interesting situation at CB and RB.

Azpilicueta the only natural RB, although Marcos Llorente will help out, that guy is another really versatile player.

I think it’s also why he took Traore, with the lack of options on the right side.

A lack of experience at CB. Eric Garcia is in with 12 games this season. Laporte is very good, but it will be his debut.

I think Enrique did a good job so far improving Spain a little bit, introducing some new fresh players, finding a better balance between possession and intensity.

They’re not Spain 08-12 anymore of course.

827
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828

Bold moves to take no Madrid players and only 24 players in total. Aspas seems like an odd omission given his numbers this season, and surely you’d take Ramos just for the experience he brings alone. Garcia has barely played but I suppose that is a selection with an eye on the future. In general they look strong in midfield but I’m not convinced they have enough quality in attack these days.

829

DENMARK

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Jonas Lossl (Everton), Frederik Ronnow (Schalke)

Defenders: Simon Kjaer (Milan), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Jannik Vestergaard (Southampton), Joachim Andersen (Fulham), Mathias Jorgensen (Copenhagen), Daniel Wass (Valencia), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta), Nicolai Boilesen (Copenhagen)

Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Inter Milan), Thomas Delaney (Borussia Dortmund), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Anders Christiansen (Malmo)

Forwards: Kasper Dolberg (Nice), Jonas Wind (Copenhagen), Andreas Cornelius (Parma), Martin Braithwaite (Barcelona), Robert Skov (Hoffenheim), Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria), Yussuf Poulsen (Leipzig), Andreas Skov Olsen (Bologna)

830

Still playing :flushed:

Didn’t he got sent-off in the 9-0 rout :thinking:

Copenhagen sending all three players from the local league :clap:

Looking at their forwards, did Denmark ever come close to emulating the lineup of Preben Elkjær and the Laudrup brothers???

831

This is the Dutch squad my goodness what a bunch of has-beens and never will bees. Three exceptions, De Ligt, de Jong and the young Gravenberch.

Even England can do better … :sunglasses:

Doel: Jasper Cillessen (Valencia), Tim Krul (Norwich City), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)

Defensie: Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (PSV), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Joël Veltman (Brighton & Hove Albion), Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale), Owen Wijndal (AZ)

Middenveld: Donny van de Beek (Manchester United), Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (AZ), Marten de Roon (Atalanta Bergamo), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)

Aanval: Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyon), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Luuk de Jong (Sevilla), Donyell Malen (PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moskou), Wout Weghorst (VfL Wolfsburg)

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832

I was sure it wasn’t him. Then I Googled and damn, it’s him. 38 years old and still an option for NT.

That attack looks really blunt.

In addition, I think they have a decent bunch in Ake, Vrij, Beek, and Wijnaldum.

Can’t wait to hear FdB moaning about the absence of VVD.

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