This is it, Euro 2016 rolls into the semi-final stage and we have another mouthwatering clash on our hands. It’s Germany vs France on Thursday at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. There is a lot of history between these two teams. Many of the older football fans will remember that clash between Harald Schumacher (Germany) and Pattrick Battiston (France) in the 1982 FIFA World Cup which left Battiston hospitalized with a few broken bones and lacerations. The most recent competitive match between these two heavyweights ended in a 1-0 victory for the Germans in Brazil at the quarter-finals stage of the 2014 FIFA World CUP. France will surely be looking to end their run of defeats to Germany in major tournaments; we have to go all the way back to 1958 for the last time France beat the Germans in a major tournament. Germany has won the last three major tournament counter between themselves and France.
France will be coming into this game with a lot of confidence after their performance in the quarter-finals against Iceland. France also won their last game against German albeit a friendly in November on the night of those bizarre terrorist attack. The French in their last game looked as if they finally found their form because they had been underwhelming in the previous game. I must say when the French are scoring goals they are absolutely dangerous to stop. France will be looking to get off to another quick start when they face world champion Germany in Marseille on Thursday. If they can get an early goal it would be difficult for German to beat them. If France get an early goal in the game it forces Germany to change their mindset and try to get forward and that would leave holes in the back for France to exploit and France certainly has the players who could exploit such opportunities. So I think the first goal is key in this game because it might change the entire complex of the game. Coach Dider Deschamps didn’t do exactly what I thought he would in the last game when he started Moussa Sissoko. The question for Deschamps coming into this game is whether or not he changes that line up which looked absolutely breath-taking against Iceland.
I would make one change to the line-up that started against Iceland. Kante has to get back into the line-up for this big semi-final game, no one covers more grounds than Kante and no one makes more tackles in the centre of the park than he does. I would drop Matuidi on the bench and play Pogba and Kante deep in midfield. I know Matuidi was very good in the last game he provided a beautiful assist for the first goal but the fact that it was Iceland gave me cause to pause in my assessment of the French performance. We know Germany will provide a far better challenge than Iceland- no disrespect to Iceland- France simply has to be aware of this. France will need Kante’s defensive ability in this crucial game and if Kante plays either Pogba or Matuidi has to drop because there is a lack of creativity when all three are on the field at the same time.
If Coach Deschamps gets his starting 11 correct as he did against Iceland,we could see another fast start for France and maybe an appearance in the Finals of the European championship.
Germany is coming into this game with a lot of uncertainty surrounding some of the key players.We know that Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira will be out of the game with injury problems and Mat Hummels will be serving a one-game suspension. According to reports out of France on Wednesday, team captain Bastian Schweinsteiger who was doubtful with a knee problem will be available from the start. It is very important for the team to have a player like Schweinsteiger on the field because with his experience he could make a difference. Schweinsteiger’s presence, though important, will not hide the fact that the German team will be without three key players for this massive game.
I think the player they will miss most is, Mario Gomez, I know I had said he should not have started against Italy and I believe if he had not started Germany probably would have won the game in 90 minutes. Gomez was never suited for that game because of how Italy set up and the players they have in defence. This was evident in the game as he only got one real opportunity when he was not able to find a way past Buffon in goal. Against the French he would have been far more valuable up front because of the threat he poses on set pieces with his aerial ability. France does not have one of the best defenses in this tournament. They give away a lot of space on set piece opportunities, Germany could have benefited from that weakness with a player like Gomez. Also, Mats Hummels is good in the air as well so they will miss both these players on set pieces. Ozil, I figure will have a lot of time and space on the ball so he should be able to create a few chances as he has done in the tournament thus far.
I haven’t seen much from Toni Kross in these championships, he has to be better in the middle of the park. Khedira’s absence will also be tough for Germany as he is their best tackler but I think Germany can cope with his absence if they play positional football. Julian Draxler did not start in the last game as coach, Low switched things up to match the Italians, I must admit that was a clever strategy. He has to now revert to his original formation and bring back Draxler into the starting eleven. I think we might see a special game from Thomas Muller in the semi-finals, he is a fantastic player but he hasn’t shown up thus far maybe this is the type of game and occasion to spring him into life. I am looking forward to some beautiful football from the Germans, when they are playing at their best its truly a sight to behold.
Final Thoughts
We will have a closely contested game in Marseille but I think the French will get the better of the Germans. I am predicting France to book their place in the Finals.
– T. Welch
48-NINETY SPORTS 