The MPH Arena in Stuttgart is set to host the first quarter-final of UEFA Euro 2024, where hosts Germany will face Spain.
Spain and Germany have both won the Euros on three occasions, and they are looking for their fourth title this time around. But, before the teams can dream of the silverware, they have a massive quarter-finals fixture coming up.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain have been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament. They won all their group games to finish top of Group B and then squared up against Georgia in the round of 16. Spain ended up winning 4-1 and booking a place in the quarter-finals.
While Georgia took the lead thanks to an own goal, Spain outplayed them in all departments and bounced back to finish on top with a scoreline of 4-1. They have been a force to reckon with and are going to make life difficult for hosts Germany.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team made a statement in their very first outing with a 5-1 demolition of Scotland. They managed to book their place in the knockout stage by finishing top of Group A. In the round of 16, the hosts squared up against Denmark and won 2-0 to book a place in the quarters.
While Denmark did try their best and gave Germany a hard time, they did not have enough in their tanks to challenge Nagelsmann’s team. But, Spain won’t be that easy an opponent, and they might have to struggle if they want to get the last four of the Euros. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Spain
While Nacho Fernandez is back fit, he is unlikely to walk into the playing XI. Luis de la Fuente is expected to name an unchanged XI from their last outing in the round of 16.
Unai Simon will continue in goal for Spain, while Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand will be the centre-back pairing in front of him. They will have the support of full-backs Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella, who will look to contribute on both ends of the pitch.
Rodri will be the defensive midfielder for La Roja, while young Pedri and Fabian Ruiz will be in his support. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will feature on the flanks for Spain. They will provide width to their attacks, while skipper Alvaro Morata will lead the line against Germany.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Germany
Jonathan Tah is back available after serving a suspension, and he is expected to return to the starting XI. Julian Nagelsmann will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation for their quarter-finals, and Manuel Neuer will continue in goal.
David Raum, who started ahead of Maximilian Mittelstadt in the round of 16, is expected to continue as a full-back alongside Joshua Kimmich. In the heart of the defence, Real Madrid mainstay Antonio Rudiger will feature with Jonathan Tah.
Toni Kroos and Robert Andrich will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. Andrich will look to make his physical presence felt while Kroos will drop deep and dictate the pace of the game.
Ilkay Gundogan will feature as an attacking midfielder and to add more stability, he could drop a touch deep and link up with Kroos and Andrich. Jamal Musiala and Florian Writz will feature on the flanks. They will provide the width to their attacks and also look to cut inside and line up with Kai Havertz, who will spearhead the German attack against Spain.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz
Key Stats
- Germany have been unbeaten against Spain at home in their last eight outings.
- No host nation has even been eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Euros.
- Spain have only lost two out of their 11 meetings against Germany across competitions.
- La Roja have the upper hand against the hosts in European Championships. They have won two fixtures while Germany have won only once.
- Die Mannschaft are set to play their 19th quarterfinal (World Cup’s and Euro’s combined) which is the most by any nation.
Player to Watch
Ilkay Gundogan
While all the limelight will be on the young forwards that both teams have, Ilkay Gundogan might end up being the difference between the two teams. The 33-year-old had 19 goal contributions last season with Barcelona and with him playing in an attacking role for Germany he has three goal contributions in his four outings so far.
The former Manchester City skipper will be the most important player for the hosts in their quarter-finals as he will help Die Mannschaft control the tempo and also create chances in the final third.
Prediction
Spain 2-3 Germany
It is expected to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller that will see two top teams square up against each other. Both Germany and Spain will have their share of chances and they are expected to find the back on the net on more than one occasion.
Given the amount of experience Die Mannschaft have in the centre of the park, they might come out on top in the end. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for the host nation.