The Group of Death gets off to a thunderous start in Munich as the previous two World Champions face off
Tournament favourites France will be looking to start strong on Tuesday against a Germany which has lost some of its lustre in recent years. While Les Bleus went on to win the 2018 World Cup under Didier Deschamps, Germany crashed out at the first hurdle, finishing bottom of a favourable group behind Sweden, Mexico and South Korea. Deschamps won this competition in 2000 as a player and, with a World Cup winning squad in his hands, he should be very confident of doing the same as a manager. Germany boss Joachim Low knows expectations are far lower for his team after their disastrous display in Russia and some recent humiliations, and perhaps that can work in the Germans' favour. The man who led Die Mannschaft to glory at World Cup 2014 will step down as manager after this tournament to be replaced by former Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick.
🇩🇪 Crashed out of 2018 World Cup
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) June 15, 2021
🇩🇪 Told Hummels, Boateng & Muller time with Germany was over
🇩🇪 Suffered 6-0 loss to Spain
After three years of botched transition, there is little optimism from #GER fans for #EURO2020.
📝 @honigstein https://t.co/9hUYLHoe81
Form: France vs Germany
Since losing to a strong Turkey side over two years ago in qualification for Euro 2020, France have gone 18 games unbeaten, including wins over strong sides like Portugal, Croatia and Sweden. If that doesn't give them confidence enough, they will still be riding high on their World Cup win three years ago. They are clear favourites in this match and the entire tournament. The France squad is without doubt the strongest in world football, so good in fact that Aymeric Laporte had to switch allegiances to Spain just to get a game, and names like Dayot Upamecano, Ferland Mendy and Anthony Martial couldn't even get a place on the bench. Deschamps will be hoping to make history and become the first person ever to win both a World Cup and Euros as player and manager. Germany and everyone else should be very afraid.
The Germans are not in a good place right now. They've suffered some tough defeats in recent months, most notably that horrendous 6-0 drumming at the hands of Spain in the Nations League in November, and a 2-1 defeat against lowly North Macedonia in World Cup Qualifying in March. Joachim Low's side did hammer Latvia 7-1 in their final warm up game for the tournament which may give them some confidence. Their departing manager will hope to recapture some of the spirit which saw them lift the World Cup seven years ago but the reintroduction of veterans Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller, who were exiled after the World Cup 2018 debacle, smacks of desperation in light of a failure to rebuild from scratch. On the whole Die Mannschaft have had better days. However, you'd be foolish to count the Germans out. They haven't exactly gone full-Netherlands and they still possess some outstanding quality all over the pitch.
Team News: France vs Germany
France are boosted by - like they needed a boost - the return to the national team of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema after controversially being out in the cold for six years. He appeared to pick up a knock in their final warmup game against Bulgaria but is said to be back in training and should start this match. There were also minor doubts over Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane but both are confirmed available. Chelsea centre back Kurt Zouma is the only true injury concern for Les Bleus but he was unlikely to make the first team in any event. The embarrassment of riches in the France squad has been done to death but it really is remarkable to see the options Deschamps will have at his disposal. The team is probably the easiest to predict in the whole tournament but the coach could name some surprise inclusions if he decides to do something different tactically and the strength in depth would allow him to do that with peace of mind.
Possible France Lineup:
Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez, Kante, Pogba, Rabiot, Griezmann; Mbappe, Benzema
Karim Benzema is BACK in the France squad 💪
— Goal (@goal) May 18, 2021
The Real Madrid forward has been named in the 26-man panel for Euro 2020 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/CVb6QzDUPH
The Germany situation is much more interesting with Joachim Low trying out different formations as recently as last week and seemingly unsure of his best team. Manuel Neuer is irreplaceable in goal but in front of him Low could play two, or three at the back, as he did against Latvia in their final friendly before the tournament. He opted for experience in that game with Antonio Rudiger, Mats Hummels and Matthias Ginter starting as the three centre backs. Whether he will continue that into this match is uncertain. If he does, then the ever versatile Joshua Kimmich will probably play right wing back with Robin Gosens operating on the other side. Leon Goretzka will be a huge miss in the midfield as he recovers from some niggling issues, but Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan are not too bad themselves. Up front, he could play any combination of Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Timo Werner or Kai Havertz. Germany have far too much quality to be discounted and it will be fascinating to see if their departing coach Joachim Low can strike the right balance to bring the best out of a squad which on paper is arguably only bettered in the tournament by that of France.
Possible Germany Lineup:
Neuer, Kimmich, Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger, Gosens, Kroos, Gundogan, Sane, Muller, Gnabry
How to watch France vs Germany on TV & Live Stream
France vs Germany (Euro 2020, Group F)
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
Date: Tuesday 15 June 2021
Time: Coverage 19.10 | Kick Off 20.00
TV Channel: ITV One | ITV Hub
You can watch live coverage of this game for free on ITV1. A panel of top pundits will bring you pre-match analysis starting at 19.10 GMT, before the game kicks off at 20.00. You can also watch online via live streaming through the ITV Hub. Only UK residents with a TV license can legally watch this coverage.
The 𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐬 are in town 🤯
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
Here's what we've got in store today LIVE on @ITV#HUN v #POR - @SeemaJaswal @EniAlu @NDJ_Official & @GNev2 #FRA v #GER - @MarkPougatch @IanWright0 @OfficialVieira & Roy Keane #ITVFootball #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/8mDYCzjWzC
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