Everything is ready in Germany for the start of the round of 16 of the European Championship this Saturday, after a group stage with several surprises, such as the elimination of Croatia.
AFP analyses each of the clashes, in which some of the heavyweights of European football will face the ambition of smaller teams eager to continue surprising.
Round of 16 fixtures ✅
Eight ties across four nights 🍿@bookingcom | #EUROfixtures pic.twitter.com/H3KujpXc9S
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 28, 2024
Switzerland x Italy
Defending Euro champions Italy head into Saturday’s game against Switzerland in Berlin with plenty of work to do after securing second place in Group B in the dying seconds of a 1-1 draw with Croatia.
The Italians will have to be careful with the Swiss team, who can have up to four Serie A players in their starting lineup and have already shown in the draw with Germany (1-1) that they are capable of taking on the favorites.
😁😁😁 pic.twitter.com/GT1qvE5l1U
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 28, 2024
Germany vs Denmark
Reborn under the baton of coach Julian Nagelsmann, Germany was one of the best teams in the group stage and starts as clear favorites against Denmark, who came second in Group C.
Danish national team coach Kasper Hjulmand warned that his team always “takes a step forward” against big opponents, but the German team will have the support of the fans in Dortmund on Saturday.
What do you think of today’s winning photo? 😎#dfbteam #euro2024
📸 DFB/Philipp Reinhard pic.twitter.com/6q3TErkRX2— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) June 28, 2024
England vs Slovakia
England can be happy to have fallen to Slovakia in the last 16 after securing top spot in Group C despite three disappointing games against teams considered inferior.
Coach Gareth Southgate has been heavily criticized for the English team’s performance and needs to find solutions for one of the teams favorites for the title.
The hard work continues 💪 pic.twitter.com/UMvJhfigza
— England (@England) June 28, 2024
Spain vs Georgia
Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish team was the only one to finish the group stage with a 100% record, leading the complicated Group B with a symbolic victory over Italy (1-0).
After resting their starters in the duel with Albania, Spain are favorites for the game against Georgia on Sunday, in Cologne.
However, the Georgians are living a fairytale at the Euro, and showed their strength by beating Portugal (2-0) in the third round of Group F.
💪🏻 We continue preparing for the eighth finals!!#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Zk00hbzYWO
— Spanish Men’s Soccer Team (@SEFutbol) June 28, 2024
France x Belgium
Perhaps the most unpredictable clash, between two great teams that have yet to find their best form and will face each other next Monday in Düsseldorf.
France qualified second in Group D, with just two goals scored and with Kylian Mbappé injured after suffering a broken nose in the opening game against Austria.
Belgium, on the other hand, showed a good performance, but a worrying deficiency in finishing. The goalless draw with Ukraine was a disappointment for fans and put the team’s qualification for the round of 16 in Group E at risk.
Start the physical session 😤 pic.twitter.com/TfzSAOQmXS
— Team France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 27, 2024
Portugal x Slovenia
Portugal is the big favorite in the duel against Slovenia, on Monday, in Frankfurt, and coach Roberto Martínez will have many of his starters rested, after saving in the defeat to Georgia, when the team had already secured the leadership of the group.
Slovenia, on the other hand, did not shine in Group C, finishing in third place with three draws and having scored just two goals, but coach Matjaz Kek’s team is unbeaten in nine games and defeated the Portuguese national team (2-0) in a friendly played in March.
Next opponent in the European Championship: 𝗘𝗦𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘́𝗡𝗜𝗔! 🇸🇮⚔️ #SharingThePassion | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ZLHIIFf1KG
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 28, 2024
Romania x Netherlands
The Dutch had a disappointing group stage, finishing third in Group D, and will be on the lookout for Tuesday’s game against Romania, who reached the Euro 16 for the first time in 24 years as Group E leaders.
Despite this, the Netherlands fell on the easier side of the draw, with only Italy and England on their hypothetical route to the final, and the game in Munich against the Romanians could be a watershed moment for coach Ronald Koeman’s team.
Focus. 💯#NothingLikeOranje #ROUNED pic.twitter.com/wCODPIxpLR
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 28, 2024
Austria x Türkiye
Austria is one of the biggest surprises of the tournament and, led by coach Ralf Rangnick, showed attractive football in the first phase, ahead of France and the Netherlands in Group D.
On Tuesday, in Leipzig, they will have the chance to reach the Euro quarter-finals for the first time in their history against Italy’s Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey, a team full of talent on the field and with great support from the stands.
gEMma!!! pic.twitter.com/BBP5HY3MMj
— ÖFB – oefb.at (@oefb1904) June 28, 2024
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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