Germany, who are going through a tough time in international football, have a lot to do in order to put together a successful Euro 2020 campaign.
They reached the pinnacle of world football in 2014 when they defeated Argentina in the final in Rio de Janeiro to lift the fourth World Cup in their history. Joachim Low’s side then backed that victory up in the immediate future with success in international football. Their attempts at lifting the Euro Cup in 2016 came to a grinding halt in the semi-final against France but Germany found success once again as they won the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
However, since then, things haven’t gone smoothly for Die Mannschaft. Shocking almost everyone, Germany crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the group stages after defeats to Mexico and South Korea. This was their first World Cup first-round exit since 1938.
Earlier this year, Joachim Low – head coach of Germany for the last 15 years – announced that he’ll be resigning from his position after Euro 2020, which begins on June 11.
Ahead of the big blockbuster summer event, where they are far from favourites, let’s take an in-depth look at Die Mannschaft:
GERMANY SQUAD FOR EURO 2020
On May 19, the German National Team announced their squad for Euro 2020.
Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno, Manuel Neuer, Kevin Trapp
Defence: Matthias Ginter, Robin Gosens, Christian Günter, Marcel Halstenberg, Mats Hummels, Lukas Klostermann, Robin Koch, Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle
Midfield: Emre Can, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gündogan, Kai Havertz, Jonas Hofmann, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Jamal Musiala, Florian Neuhaus
Attack: Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane, Kevin Volland, Timo Werner
Thomas Muller was called up the national side for the first time since November 2018 following his spectacular form for Bayern Munich over the last two seasons. Hummels has also been included in the national side for the first time since 2018.
18-year-old Bayern Munich player Jamal Musiala has earned a call-up to Euro 2020 after impressing everyone with his recent performances.
Marco Reus decided against playing in Euro 2020 as he wanted to give his body and mind rest after a hectic season with Borussia Dortmund.
GERMANY MANAGER JOACHIM LOW
Low brought significant changes to the side since he took over and introduced more pace and precision in their game. Under him, the players took significantly less time on the ball and he began his career as the head coach of the German national side with five wins.
After the 2014 World Cup win in Brazil, he was also awarded with the FIFA Coach of the Year recognition in 2014.
It goes without saying that Joachim Low has defined a golden era in German football as they went toe-to-toe with Spain’s otherworldly dominance in the 2010s.
GERMANY EURO 2020 POSSIBLE LINEUP AND TACTICS
Joachim Low might be tempted to use the 4-2-3-1 formation in Euro 2020. Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich conquered the treble in 2019-20 with this formation and Germany has relied on this system for a long time now.
There’s no questioning Manuel Neuer’s No.1 status as goalkeeper. The backline will likely consist of Matthias Ginter, Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels and Robin Gosens. Gosens’ tendency to attack during phases in the game – evident from his 17-goal contribution in Serie A this season – might also see Ginter – Sule – Hummels essentially playing a back three for large portions of the match.
Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan offer both solidity in midfield as well as runs into the box.
Up front, Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller, and Serge Gnabry can essentially play the same roles as they do at Bayern Munich under Hansi Flick. Sane and Gnabry offer width in attack while Muller is adept at making the final pass. He has assisted 18 goals in the Bundesliga this season.
Further up the pitch, Timo Werner is expected to lead the line. Though Werner has cut a frustrating figure since his move to Chelsea, the 25-year-old has 15 goals for the national side in 38 appearances.
Predicted Playing XI (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer, Matthias Ginter, Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels, Robin Gosens, Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Timo Werner
GERMANY’S CHANCES OF WINNING EURO 2021
Truth be told, the German national side has been steadily declining ever since they won the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Spain put six goals past Germany in the final matchday of the Nations League in November 2020 and Low’s side also lost 2-1 to North Macedonia in their most recent World Cup qualifying fixture, their first World Cup qualifying defeat since losing 5-1 to England in the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers.
Given the manner in which the national side has lost steam over the last few years, winning the Euro 2020 seems too far-fetched at the moment. However, one wouldn’t bet against a miracle happening in Joachim Low’s final hurrah with Die Mannschaft!
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