RustyBourneHorse
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As you all know, I'm very partial to England, especially in Euro Football. Primarily because I have a lot of family and friends in England. Also, the Euro Tournament will begin soon. With this said, I think it'd be wise to not sleep on Germany this tournament. I think they've been flying under the radar going into this tournament. Yes, the 2018 WC was a disaster for Germany, but they won the WC in 2014. While Germany is going to be receiving a new coach after this tournament, I do not think the Germans will bring themselves to be able to have a similar result to the 2018 WC. Germany tends to be a dangerous team when it comes to international tournaments. They will be wanting a much better showing in this Euro tournament, especially with the 2022 WC being next year. The German media simply will not tolerate a Group Stage exit, and Germany is too powerful of a team to fall in the group stage. Furthermore, in the 2016 Euro tournament, Germany lost in the Semi-Finals to France 2-0. I think we will see a similar result this year from Germany. Also for historical purposes, Germany also made it to the Semifinal in 2012, and they were runners up in 2008. So, Germany usually does well in these tournaments.
Neuer is still an excellent keeper. Their defender squad is decent (albeit, not their biggest strength overall). Their midfield is well anchored. Kroos and Mueller are still excellent at 31. Leroy Sane is looking like a pretty solid Midfielder for them. Their striker crew is also lethal. The big problem that will face Germany is that their group consists of the following teams: France, Portugal, and Hungary. I fully expect Germany to beat Hungary. I think they can at least draw Portugal. The biggest challenge they'll have is France. Depending on goal differential, they'll probably finish 2nd or 3rd in the group.
If Germany finishes 3rd, they could end up qualifying for the knockout phase anyway depending where they rank compared to the groups 3rd place, which they should be favoured as only two teams wouldn't make it. They're in Group F for the tournament. Should they finish third and qualify for the knockout stages, they'd take on the winner of either Group B or Group C (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020#Ranking_of_third-placed_teams). Group B consists of the following: Belgium, Denmark (who Germany drew 1-1 in a recent friendly against), Finland, and Russia. Group C consists of the following: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, and Macedonia. If Germany ends up playing Belgium, I think they might fall there, but I think they could match up decently against Belgium. If they take on the Netherlands, I think Germany wins that.
If they finish second, they'd play the winner of Group D. Group D consists of the following: England, Scotland, Croatia, and Czech Republic. I think England wins if Germany and England play each other (as I think England wins that group). However, Croatia did beat England in the 2018 WC, so if Germany and Croatia end up playing, I think Germany would win that. So, I think this will be a fun tournament, and I think people should keep an eye on Germany. I don't think they'll get to the final, but I expect them to finish somewhere around the Round of 16 and the SF. So, with that, I wouldn't recommend sleeping on Germany for this tournament.
Neuer is still an excellent keeper. Their defender squad is decent (albeit, not their biggest strength overall). Their midfield is well anchored. Kroos and Mueller are still excellent at 31. Leroy Sane is looking like a pretty solid Midfielder for them. Their striker crew is also lethal. The big problem that will face Germany is that their group consists of the following teams: France, Portugal, and Hungary. I fully expect Germany to beat Hungary. I think they can at least draw Portugal. The biggest challenge they'll have is France. Depending on goal differential, they'll probably finish 2nd or 3rd in the group.
If Germany finishes 3rd, they could end up qualifying for the knockout phase anyway depending where they rank compared to the groups 3rd place, which they should be favoured as only two teams wouldn't make it. They're in Group F for the tournament. Should they finish third and qualify for the knockout stages, they'd take on the winner of either Group B or Group C (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020#Ranking_of_third-placed_teams). Group B consists of the following: Belgium, Denmark (who Germany drew 1-1 in a recent friendly against), Finland, and Russia. Group C consists of the following: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, and Macedonia. If Germany ends up playing Belgium, I think they might fall there, but I think they could match up decently against Belgium. If they take on the Netherlands, I think Germany wins that.
If they finish second, they'd play the winner of Group D. Group D consists of the following: England, Scotland, Croatia, and Czech Republic. I think England wins if Germany and England play each other (as I think England wins that group). However, Croatia did beat England in the 2018 WC, so if Germany and Croatia end up playing, I think Germany would win that. So, I think this will be a fun tournament, and I think people should keep an eye on Germany. I don't think they'll get to the final, but I expect them to finish somewhere around the Round of 16 and the SF. So, with that, I wouldn't recommend sleeping on Germany for this tournament.
