Germany kick off Euro 2024 at Allianz Arena with their inaugural matchup against Scotland, named an unchanged team led by Julian Nagelsmann who led them to victory against Greece last week in final warm-up action.
Joshua Kimmich will join Antonio Rudiger and Bayer Leverkusen’s Maximilian Mittelstadt as defenders for the Germany national football team vs Scotland national football team lineups. Meanwhile, Toni Kroos will team up with Bayern Munich’s Ilkay Gundogan and Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich as midfielders.
1. Neuer
Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers ever and was instrumental in shaping modern goalkeeping for an entire generation. His long throw range, excellent handling skills and versatility as a passer make him one of the great players to have ever graced his position.
Neuer is also an effective aerial threat, regularly making important saves against long-range efforts. He may have an early goal conceding tendency, though that should likely be mitigated by his team’s strength.
Toni Kroos will return to major tournament action for Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos and Arsenal star Kai Havertz will lead their respective attacks. Scotland coach Steve Clarke will miss QPR striker Lyndon Dykes as well as Lawrence Shankland and Andy Robertson from his squad; Scott McTominay and John McGinn will fill those roles, along with Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan and Florian Wirtz who all play important roles. An opening ceremony honoring Franz Beckenbauer will kickstart proceedings for this tournament opening.
2. Kimmich
Kimmich has rapidly established himself as Germany’s primary right-back under Julian Nagelsmann despite being only 24. Known for his impressive work rate and technical ability as well as versatility – he can even play centre-back – he is becoming an essential member of Germany’s team.
Kimmich was impressive against Scotland, creating multiple chances for his side and setting up Florian Wirtz to score their second goal of the match.
The Germans will look to add to their score against Scotland, who drew 2-2 against Finland in their final pre-Euro 2024 friendly. Steven Clarke made three changes with Ryan Porteous, Scott McTominay and Che Adams joining his squad as substitutes – hoping they can reverse recent form that saw them only manage one victory out of five matches and fall outside of top four positions in their qualifying group.
3. Tah
Germany used their team speed and ability to read plays to incorporate their defenders into the attack, scoring several goals while dominating the first half of the match.
Tah is an accomplished defender, showing promise at Bayer Leverkusen, but may lack the pedigree needed for inclusion on a national team squad that competes at a World Cup tournament. So far he has only played 63 minutes for Germany (two friendly games and one Euro match), falling far behind several players on its depth chart and having an uncertain future with regards to making Germany roster. Although still possible to improve and earn roster spot, success won’t come easy and more consistency at Bayer Leverkusen could help him be useful down the road should Germany face another World Cup tournament!
4. Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger stands as an unflappable centre back, defying the notion that attackers are football’s expressive artists while defenders serve as silent watchmen.
German centre back Toni Kroos was outstanding as Germany defeated England 2-0 in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener, beating Dortmund’s attacks and nearly winning a penalty late on. He made history when being called up as Germany’s senior starting defender for their match-up against England; becoming Bayern Munich’s first senior call-up of three centre backs; likely starting choice at Euro 2024 tournament. Kroos made one tackle (one won) and four clearances. Additionally he set the tone with physicality yet composeness on the ball; setting him apart as Germany’s premier starting pick!
5. Mittelstadt
Germany will kickoff Euro 2024 against one of the nations that has caused some surprises along their path to Euro. One player expected to start for Germany is Mittelstadt who can provide support on the left side of defensive line.
Stuttgart’s left back is famed for his powerful left foot that can cause havoc from wide and open areas, while at times playing more attacking roles to provide options for Kai Havertz or Ilkay Gundogan. Defensively as well, his capabilities are notable: making five interceptions, winning eight duels in just two games thus far and attempted 11 crosses are just some examples of his impressive capabilities.
6. Kroos
Maximilian Mittelstadt is an essential member of Germany’s midfield, providing width while picking his moments to overlap or underlap his opponents – something he displayed effectively against Scotland.
GOAL magazine awarded him as the most successful attacking midfielder of the match with an unprecedented progressive distance metric of 770.8 yards – higher than any player worldwide on this evening.
Angus Gunn makes two saves to deny Fullkrug from Dortmund, who thought he had another goal but it was ruled out due to offside, before saving Mueller from Bayern. Ralston then comes on for Hendry with McTominay joining as Scotland’s replacements of Grant Hanley, Andrich and McGinn. Che Adams comes up front for Lawrence Shankland while Billy Gilmour will sit on the bench. Germany under Julian Nagelsmann stands an opportunity to reverse previous major tournament failures under Julian Nagelsmann with players such as Jamal Musiala Ilkay Gundogan and Florian Wirtz expected to make an impressionful debut performance on this stage.
7. Andrich
At halftime, both teams make changes as Andrich receives his yellow card and makes way for Gross. Meanwhile, Grant Hanley comes on to strengthen Scotland’s defence as Che Adams leaves for another team.
Germany are in full control and making waves at this tournament, thanks to Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Ilkay Gundogan’s classy performances.
Musiala dashes into space before unleashing an overhead shot that soars high into the net – his third at this Euros final and according to Spanish soccer stats guru Mister Chip’s calculations makes him the youngest ever to score three in any major tournament final (beating Havertz’s 20-year old record of scoring three goals at any major tournament final). Germany have taken control with an early lead 4-0 against Scotland – it won’t be an easy night!
8. Musiala
Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is an integral part of Julian Nagelsmann’s system, being adept at drifting into more advanced areas, taking shots, and engaging in one-v-one battles. His two-footedness makes him difficult to defend against.
67 mins: Leroy Sane cuts in from the right and surges forward into a good shooting position at the corner of the box, but his effort was far off target and was soon replaced by Niclas Fullkrug.
Ryan Porteous and Scott McTominay also replace Ralston and Christie while Callum McGregor and Che Adams step in as replacements for Billy Gilmour and Lawrence Shankland respectively. It marks only the third major tournament final between Scotland and Germany – Don Hutchison scored on his full debut at Bremen in April 1999!
9. Gundogan
Julian Nagelsmann of Germany is looking to claim their first-ever European Championship championship. To do this, he has retained the same lineup that won friendly victories against France and Netherlands earlier in March.
71 minutes: Jamal Musiala made his move down the left flank and threaded Ilkay Gundogan through, who scored his 12th international goal to cheers of applause from both benches. Thomas Muller then replaced Musiala but almost scored himself from similar positioning but was flagged offside.
Florian Wirtz attempted a low shot from outside of the box that Angus Gunn was only able to save with one good save from outside of the box by Florian Wirtz, forcing Ryan Porteous lunging stud-first at Gundogan which resulted in him receiving his red card from referee! That sentencing marked Scotland’s first major tournament sending off since 1998 – another blow as star man Callum McGregor had already left them reeling after suffering injury, while now captain John McGinn may misses out as well!
10. Havertz
Kai Havertz is an intelligent man with impeccable judgement who has shown the ability to compartmentalise football over the past year, keeping his focus on excelling for Germany despite an agonising injury sustained at Arsenal last match against Hungary, when his head collided with Yann Bisseck, leaving him bleeding heavily after an incident that could have proven fatal.
Nagelsmann made clear his faith in Stiller when he handed him a starting XI spot against Hungary, with Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug set to filling in as the classic number nine role while Chris Fuhrich and Maximilian Beier can provide additional goalscoring options.
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