Germany may have been edged by world champions France in their UEFA Euro 2020 opener, but with the likes of Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich in their ranks, Die Mannschaft roared back against Portugal and can still go all the way.
A recalled Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller is probably the most unique player in the whole competition, Bayern Munich’s Raumdeuter effectively having invented a position in a glittering career which has taken in a record 10 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions League and a FIFA World Cup with Germany. Muller’s awkward gait and fun off-field character may lull opponents into a false sense of security, but there is no question that there is significant substance to go with his often wrongly perceived lack of style; a cutting edge alongside the smiles. Muller remains the record scorer at World Cups among active players with 10, but makes chances just as well as he takes them, setting an all-time assist record with 21 as Bayern won the eighth of nine consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2019/20, and adding another 18 last term.
History on their side
No team has been crowned European champions more often than Germany, who have lifted the title three times – in 1972, 1980 and 1996. They’re also three-time runners-up, most recently losing out to Spain in 2008. Either side of winning their fourth World Cup at Brazil 2014, Die Mannschaft showcased their fabled tournament pedigree by going deep and reaching the semi-finals. Four semi-final appearances represents a competition record, while defeats in the last four to 2012 winners Spain and 2016 runners-up France were only their 10th and 11th respectively in 49 matches in the competition. What’s more, the team has failed to advance beyond the group stage just twice in 12 appearances – at the 2000 and 2004 finals, very much the start of a transitional period for the national team. History means that they can win international trophy again.