EURO 2021 analysis: don’t look for Germany among the main favourites, but it’s definitely not a write-off

Germany has been undergoing a renewal in recent years and that is the reason why they are definitely not among the favourites to win this year’s European Championship. However, Joachim Löw has assembled a quality squad and will definitely want to bid the national team a successful farewell. Will he succeed?

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Kevin Trapp (Frankfurt)

There is no doubt about who will play the role of number one at the Euro. Manuel Neuer is Joachim Löw’s favourite, plus Marc-André ter Stegen is unavailable and there is no one to push Bayern’s number one out of the line-up. Moreover, Neuer is an important player in the locker room and a great leader on the pitch.

Defenders: Matthias Ginter (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea), Robin Gosens (Atalanta), Christian Günter (Freiburg), Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), Robin Koch (Leeds), Niklas Süle (Bayern Munich)

Out of the gate, however, it’s no longer easy to guess what the rest of the lineup will look like. In defence, Löw has a fairly solid selection, which also gives him a lot of variation in terms of formations.

Virtually no one is certain of their place in the defensive line. Even in the World Cup qualifiers and in the last friendly, the line-up changed and never once did the same four come in. The last game against Denmark was played with a five-man defence. Hummels, Ginter and Süle played in the middle, while Gosens and Klostermann played as wingbacks.

Midfielders: İlkay Gündoğan (Manchester City), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka (all Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofmann, Florian Neuhaus (both Borussia Mönchengladbach)

The strongest point of the German team will definitely be the midfield. It also offers a huge variation and many options for the line-up. What is certain is that Löw will definitely not want to assemble an eleven without Kimmich and Kroos.

Even if Löw doesn’t put together a suitable starting eleven, he will always have something to reach for on the bench. In short, a perfect selection.

The coach’s big favourite then is Serge Gnabry, who could perhaps be given more space than other players. He can be expected to play at the top, where Löw uses him most often.

Forwards: Timo Werner (Chelsea), Kevin Volland (Monaco)

Timo Werner recently complained about less playing time in the national team, and even now he seems to be more likely to cover Gnabry’s back. But when he comes off the bench? Opponents have a lot to look forward to. Kevin Volland, on the other hand, has great versatility, but in a big competition there probably won’t be much room for him.

Löw has to find the right mix of players

Germany has long been renowned for its hard work and honesty, but that is simply not enough to be at the absolute top in today’s football. But Joachim Löw has put together a great squad with an interesting mix of experienced and young and talented players.

A big plus is the return of Thomas Müller or Mats Hummels, who could make regular appearances in the line-up. But the problem is that Löw has been searching in vain for the right line-up for years.

Unstable form, unstable and sometimes hard to predict results and performances, constant rotation of the line-up… It’s obvious that the German coach is simply still looking for the right eleven that fits perfectly and that will be dangerous for everyone.

There is indeed such potential in the team, but Löw still hasn’t found the right chemistry, which, combined with the performance of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, will be absolutely crucial if Germany is to have a successful championship.

And there is not much time to find it. The EURO is already around the corner and the Germans will face France, Portugal and Hungary in the group of death. But hope is the last to die.

Quarter-finals

Sources: Transfermarkt, Livesport