The group F is the so-called death one. There are three champions of different times. Portugal, France and Germany will play with each other. Only two will survive for the next round, experts believe that Germans have better chances than France.
The return of Hummels and Muller
Having been there and done that, Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller are major additions to the German squad. Both men won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, and both have slotted back into the side after being recalled for this tournament by Low. Hummels is certainly in form, having helped Dortmund to lift the DFB Cup and to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League by winning their last eight matches of the season. An outrageous outside-of-the-foot through ball in Germany’s final friendly against Latvia showed he has lost none of his quarterback qualities, while the prospect of facing France will not faze him.
Neuer the wall
Ahead of this tournament, outgoing head coach Löw called on his team to show the same mentality that reigned supreme in 2014. “I’m very optimistic,” he said in one of his final media appearances before the France game. “What I have seen and witnessed from the team in terms of energy and desire has been great. The players are very ambitious and they want to be successful. Everyone knows that we need to be ready right from the start, and at any moment.”
Manuel Neuer is rarely found wanting in that respect, especially on the biggest stage. The current world Goalkeeper of the Year made huge saves, for example, from both France forward Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in last year’s Champions League final. And unlike at the 2018 World Cup when he had just recovered from injury, he comes into Euro 2020 looking as sharp as ever.