Home advantage could make all the difference as Germany chase a fourth European Championship crown. As hosts, Julian Nagelsmann’s side did not need to qualify for Euro 2024 and they should have little trouble progressing from Group A. The German faithful will expect their heroes to comfortably finish above Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland, with the momentum carrying them through the knockout phase.
Of course, the burden of expectation could weigh heavily on Germany and the critics will point to the fact Nagelsmann lacks experience on the international stage. Yet the 36-year-old tactician, who succeeded Hansi Flick last September, heads into the finals having just extended his contract until after the 2026 World Cup.
That new deal shows he has the full backing of his employers and Nagelsmann’s players may actually not be under too much pressure with England and France more fancied to win the tournament. The German juggernaut could be hard to stop if it gets off to a winning start against Steve Clarke’s Scots – with Die Mannschaft priced at just 1.28 to claim an opening night victory.
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Germany’s Euro 2024 Group Stage Fixtures
June 14: Germany vs Scotland, 8pm BST, Munich
June 19: Germany vs Hungary, 5pm BST, Stuttgart
June 23: Switzerland vs Germany, 8pm BST, Frankfurt
Star Man: Jamal Musiala
Odds are subject to change*
Much will be expected of Bayern Munich ace Jamal Musiala when Germany battle for glory on home soil. With experienced heads such as Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich and Toni Kroos around him, Musiala has the perfect platform to show exactly what he can do.
Bayern largely failed to impress under Thomas Tuchel but the 21-year-old attacking midfielder weighed in with 10 goals and six assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances, while he added two more goals and two assists as Tuchel’s side reached the Champions League semis. Musiala, who was on Chelsea’s books as a youngster, could have represented England instead of the country of his birth.
Musiala is 8.00 to be named Young Player of the Tournament.
Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
When it comes to Nagelsmann, age ain’t nothing but a number. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in enthusiasm and tactical nous — as Bayern Munich fans will happily tell you. Nagelsmann led Bayern to Bundesliga glory in 2021-22 and also lifted the DFL-Supercup in successive years during an impressive stint at the Allianz Arena.
He was sacked in March 2023 but bounced back as boss of the national team just months later. Known for his versatility with formations, maintaining possession and implementing gegenpressing — when a team immediately attempts to win back possession after losing the ball — Bayern’s decision to axe Nagelsmann left pundits and fans alike stunned.
One To Watch: Kai Havertz
Given the fact it feels as though Kai Havertz has been around for years following big-money moves to Chelsea and Arsenal, flagging him as a player to watch may appear an odd decision. But after leaving Stamford Bridge last summer and enduring a difficult start to life with the Gunners, Havertz became a vital part of the side that pushed Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race.
The versatile attacker, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and has previously been deployed at left-back by Nagelsmann, chipped in with 13 goals and seven assists in 37 league appearances as Mikel Arteta’s side finished runners-up. Germany will be hoping he can carry that encouraging form into the Euros.
Havertz is 34.00 to be the top scorer at Euro 2024.
Germany Squad For Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
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