Hungary / Germany: In the group of death (Group F) of the Euro 2020 tournament, the marquee matches are going to be played on Tuesday evening between Hungary and Portugal and later in the night between France and Germany. Any team by losing its match will face an uphill task to qualify for the last-16.
Hungary vs Portugal
Hungary finished third at the 1964 European Championship before claiming fourth in 1972, but they then did not qualify for the finals of the competition until Euro 2016. in the last European Championship, Nemzeti Tizenegy impressively topped Group F – finishing ahead of Portugal. But, they lost heavily to Belgium in the round of 16.
Hungary managed to book their spot in the finals of this year’s tournament through the playoffs, overcoming Bulgaria and then Iceland. Dominik Szoboszlai scoring a last-minute winner in the final, but an injury has ruled the talented 20-year-old out of the competition. It is a huge blow for the team.
Portugal, meanwhile, is the holder of the trophy. They triumphed at Euro 2016, beating hosts France 1-0 in the final courtesy of an extra-time effort from Eder.
There is simply no downplaying the importance of this clash, as a victory would place them in an excellent position ahead of their two toughest fixtures in group F, against Germany and later France.
The Iberian nation did not win a single game in the group stages of Euro 2016, drawing all three of their matches, but they managed to qualify in third, which is an option again this summer. Five years on from their EURO triumph in France, Portugal has plenty of players in form, while Cristiano Ronaldo is now just five goals away from a world-record 109 in international football.
Marco Rosi ,Hungary coach said, “We will do everything to push ourselves to the limit. We know who we’re up against. We will keep our feet on the ground, but of course, we want to achieve our dreams.” Fernando Santos, Portugal coach said “Obviously, as contenders to win, if we don’t get through the group phase it will be a failure. But I don’t believe that will happen to Portugal.”
Possible line-ups
Hungary: Gulácsi; Fiola, Orbán, Attila Szalai; Lovrencsics, Kleinheisler, Nagy, Schäfer, Holender; Roland Sallai, Ádám Szalai
Portugal: Rui Patrício; Nélson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro; Rúben Neves, William, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota
In the second match, the match of gargantuan proportion, Germany will lock their horns with tournament favorite France at Munich. France and Germany are more used to meeting at the other end of tournaments, and maybe they still will. But for the first time, these two teams face off in a group game. ‘Les Bleus’ are tipped by many to add the European title to their global crown.
Didier Deschamps side is already being tipped to avenge their 2016 final defeat and go all the way this year, while Joachim Low will be praying for one last dance at Die Mannschaft. A page in football’s history books is also on the reckoning for Deschamps, who could become the first person ever to enjoy World Cup and Euros triumphs as a player and manager. Joachim Löw’s long reign – have had mixed results in recent months but then Germany has often thrived most when underestimated.
Deschamps was the mastermind behind France’s triumph at Euro 2000. the memories of their glorious World Cup summer three years ago are still fresh in the minds of the early favorites. He will now endeavor to add a continental manager’s medal to his ever-impressive haul of success. Germany also boasts a 12-game unbeaten record during their opening games of the Euros, but it was France who ended their dreams of glory five years ago, as a brace from Griezmann saw ‘Les Bleus’ dump their rivals out in the semi-finals. Germans are winless in their last five encounters with the reigning world champions.
Deschamps said, “It’s a massive game to start with. It’s a massive game for us but also for the Germans because we are both among the top European nations. The objective is to be effective in both boxes because that’s where the game will be decided.”
Low said, “You can feel positive tension in the air and anticipation. I really thought ‘finally!’ when I got on the bus to come here. I’m calm, relaxed, and think that in the last 14 days we have done what we wanted to. Tomorrow it’ll be important to see what the team has shown in those couple of weeks against such a top-class team like France.”
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Possible starting lineup
France
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Kante, Pogba, Rabiot; Griezmann; Mbappe, Benzema
Germany
Neuer; Ginter, Hummels, Rudiger; Kimmich, Kroos, Gundogan, Gosens; Havertz, Muller; Gnabry
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