Will the Germans break the 40-year curse of the European Championship? We have gained balance, says captain Gündogan. Who does he play best with?

According to the captain of the German national team, Ilkay Gündogan, his team’s game has gained a great balance. Thanks to this, the home team can break the 40-year curse of the European Championship. The Barcelona midfielder also added who he plays best with.

Second game, second win, six points and a score of 7: 1. Plus the certainty of progression to the eighth round. The home team could not have started the 17th European Championship any better. After the demolition of the Scots (5: 1) on Wednesday, they also beat the unpleasant Hungary 2: 0.

Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gündogan was the key man of the match. First he assisted Jamal Musiala’s goal, then he scored himself in the 67th minute. The final substitution was deservedly greeted by a huge applause from the packed Stuttgart arena.

“We managed to get some balance in the team. Toni Kroos and I complement each other very well. If we play next to each other, sometimes we think or do the same thing. I also played in a more offensive position at my club, so I feel good there at the moment,” Gündogan told uefa.com.

The best is working with Toni Kroos

The home captain has formed a very well-functioning trio in the centre of midfield with both Kroos and Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich. The former in particular is a world-class midfielder. It’s a shame he’s retiring.

“The good thing about Toni is that when we look at each other on the pitch, we know what the other is thinking and planning. Having that connection is incredibly important on the court. The more these connections you make, the better you will play,” Gündogan added.

Germany will face Switzerland for first place in the last Group A match. The Alpine country has four points from its win over the Hungarians and a draw with Scotland. A draw will be enough for the home side to keep their lead.

Julian Nagelsmann’s charges can now look ahead to the next stage of the tournament. The final is still a long way off, but the Germans certainly look like a team that could win the European Championship on home soil after forty long years.

Source: ČT Sport, UEFA.com