Germany and Switzerland both secured their places in the Quarter-Finals of Euro 2024 yesterday. Playing at home, Germany faced some challenges, particularly during transitions and set-pieces (like free kicks and corners). I had already warned about Denmark’s dangers, but Germany’s strength prevailed, showing some very interesting moments.

There were a few changes, such as the inclusion of Schlotterbeck and Raum, which provided better defensive solidity, especially with the Rüdiger/Schlotterbeck duo. Even so, I wouldn’t call it a great partnership. Rüdiger was impressive, enthusiastic, fast, effective and strong in duels, while Schlotterbeck brought speed and the advantage of being left-footed, aiding the flow of the German game. In the midfield, Gündogan and Musiala were well managed by Denmark for most of the game, and it’s clear why Havertz remains the first choice despite Fülkrug being the more productive forward (in terms of goals). Havertz offers a lot of mobility, many passing options, good technical quality, and fluidity in the game.
Who will Nagelsmann choose to play in the Quarter-Finals?

We’ll see!

I particularly like Nagelsmann. He is one of the few coaches present who already has experience with big clubs, despite being one of the youngest, and understands the pressure and demands of winning. He also follows the trend of this new generation of Coaches in communication, always clear and without complexes. I also appreciated when he fielded what he considered the strongest lineup against Switzerland, even though he didn’t need the game to qualify. He understands that in these tournaments, where time is limited, gaining time in competition and creating routines among players is crucial. This is especially important for a team that has recently gone through many moments of lesser brilliance, needing consistent performances, balance, and good results.
I like it!

Switzerland, on the other hand, showed the ability to be a protagonist in the game against Italy. True to themselves, comfortable both with and without the ball, Switzerland chose to be the protagonist, especially in the first half, and to seek the goal. Italy, however, performed much below expectations, even for a team with known limitations.

Moreover, the experienced Italian coach Luciano Spalletti made some unexpected choices, including Mancini, Fagioli, Cristante, and El Shaarawy. It’s no surprise that the team struggled with these changes, especially considering that three of the four changes were in the central corridor and some players had not yet debuted in the competition…

These types of decisions, I believe, have a significant impact on the teams’ progress in these Euros. I return to my argument about the importance of culture in teams and the need for time to establish the desired routines within that culture.

Now, what’s next?
I’ll be concise, I promise.

• England vs Slovakia

If there is a team with potential that hasn’t convinced yet, England is at the top. In my opinion, it’s a team with qualitative imbalances. They have very talented players in offensive positions, but even in offensive moments, they haven’t been able to create the expected opportunities given their individual quality. Like Portugal, there are several (and unnecessary) adjustments, such as Trippier playing as a left-back (are there no other left-backs in England besides Shaw??), Rice being stuck in a defensive midfield role, or Foden and Bellingham being placed on the flanks. Let’s see how the English team performs today, and especially if Slovakia, led by Lobotka, can keep the game away from their goal, play on England’s nerves, and take advantage of their opportunities.

England shows little defensive solidity in the central corridor, particularly in the central defenders, and, honestly, receives little help from their goalkeeper Pickford.

• Spain vs Georgia
  

As I’ve mentioned many times, the Spanish team is, in my opinion, the one that has demonstrated the greatest collective capacity. They have the culture, the playing style, experience, irreverence, speed, and youth. They do not, however, have the best squad. But because of their established culture, they are the team where the moments of the game are most assimilated, theoretically facilitating the collective understanding of the necessary positions to neutralize Georgia’s strength: offensive transitions.

If they succeed, I believe it will be an uneventful game, and Spain will naturally advance to the Quarter-Finals.

Let the games begin!