Yup. I’d argue that it’s the group of death. Gonna be next to impossible for us to progress, but hopefully we can rediscover some of the form that helped us qualify for the tournament.
I reckon you can get through with one win and two losses in this group and tbh I'd just take us winning one game, getting more experience in this squad for a world cup bid where the expectation should be to reach the knockout stages.
I don't think Swiss are as strong as in 2021. Back then Wales got a 1-1 so that has to be the formula for Scotland, solid draw against Switzerland and then everything in for Hungary which is a winner takes all match for both.
Like the boring 3:3 Thriller vs France in 2021 were we won in penaltys?
Pretty much.
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It would be nice. But, Scotland don't do group stages. Historically, we're not getting out this group even though this is the first tournament where the 3rd placed team could advance.
Just one win can be enough in this format. I’d back them to do that at least. Will probably get 4 points and miss out in some hilariously agonising way.
It'll be really interesting to see if managers figure one win probably gets them through and just play 3 aggressive games and hope to win 1.
Probably like goals for or something ridiculous.
Hope you did the lotto.
It was, wasn't it. Sorry.
Yup. You properly schooled us yesterday. A German shepherd killing a unicorn foal. I don’t know if it’s because we’re shite but if the opening match is anything to go off you’re in with a good chance of winning it with a lot of good young promising players alongside seasoned veterans.I'm very optimistic for the tournament
It all starts with Julian Nagelsmann. I wasn't the biggest fan of his appointment because of his playstyle at Bayern but he really won me over with his decisions. I wanted the German team to double down on technical ability and football IQ for ages and I really didn't expect him to be the one to see that through. No pace merchants, no box to box midfielders, no classic target strikers anymore, just pure quality and tactical discipline in every position. Very bold move but exactly what we needed, IMO. The only change I could see would be Henrichs for Kimmich and maybe Schlotterbeck for Tah or Rüdiger. The reasons for that are that our three CAMs all tend to play through the left so a left footed CB in the build up could bring them into play more while Kimmich despite all his quality lacks the athleticism to work a complete flank on his own. But I would also be fine if this was our starting line up for every match we play. People criticize Scotland for being that passive but the few times they tried to press higher, we immediately found depth through high balls over their pressing lines becuase Havertz, Musiala and Wirtz are also very good at making runs inbehind and needless to say that Kroos, Kimmich and Rüdiger can find them with their high passes. I think this team is just very, very versatile.
Performance-wise, Musiala completely stole the show yesterday. That was one of the best individual performances I've seen for Germany. He had games with incredible dribbles before but they were never that effective. Almost all good plays lead to something. His great goal aside, he initiated the volley chance for Wirtz, the penalty situation for Gündogan as well as the final goal from Emre Can. Immense performance. His partner in crime Wirtz scored the opening goal but was a bit shy, though, compared to his club version. I think part of that can be explained with Germany playing more direct than Leverkusen in the final third, the AMs aren't that involved in the ball circulation phase. He was decent but didn't get into as many threatening situations. IMO he should play a bit more risky. I want to see more of his trademark dribbles, one twos etc. in the upcoming games. Gündogan also deserves a special mention - the play that initiated Musiala's goal was probably the best individual moment in the whole match and he was involved in so many dangerous attacks in general.
In hindsight, he probably adapted to Bayern's squad & recruitment more than he followed his own vision. As I remember, he had already (cautiously) hinted at that during his time there. And his decisions for the DFB team, with freedom to pick & choose, are pretty strong further evidence.
