Defenders
Left Back- Jonas Hector, Germany
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Jonas Hector made his international team debut during the qualifiers and performed well on the left flank defensively in addition to providing a few assists for his teammates. He put up a decent performance in Germany’s Euro opener against Ukraine, making a number of crucial tackles and interceptions in an eventual 2-0 win for Germany.
Against Poland, Hector put up another solid defensive effort against Poland and did a good job to shut out the likes of Lewandowski and Milik as Germany held the Poles to a goalless draw. He continued his good form in the team’s final game against Northern Ireland where he was brilliant on the left flank, setting up attacks and providing a couple of crosses in the match as Germany kept another clean sheet in the tournament.
Hector’s performances in the left flank has been a key factor in Germany not conceding a single goal in the tournament so far.
Centre Back- Giorgio Chiellini, Italy
Chiellini has been an essential component in Italy’s backline over the past 5-6 years and was ever present during qualifying, scoring two goals.
The Juventus star began his Euro 2016 in good style, producing a spectacular display at the back in Italy’s 2-0 opening win over Belgium. Chiellini marshalled the Italian defence and was instrumental to making sure Italy did not concede a single goal throughout the match and also saw off the aerial threats posed by the Belgian frontline.
Chiellini continued his good form in the tournament with another splendid performance against Sweden where he made a number of crucial tackles and never allowed the likes of Ibrahimovic to cause much trouble. His performances helped Italy to a 1-0 win and subsequent qualification to the last 16. Due to a yellow card against Belgium, Chiellini was benched in Italy’s final group game against Ireland and his presence was felt as the Irish beat Italy 1-0. Chiellini has been in terrific form for Italy so far in the tournament and his presence in the backline will be very crucial as Italy now take on Spain in the knockout stages.
Centre Back- Jerome Boateng, Germany
The Bayern Munich defender has been a key player in Germany’s backline and was in brilliant touch in Germany’s tournament opener against Ukraine where he made a crucial goal line clearance from Yevhen Konoplyanka in the first half in addition to setting up attacks from the back.
In Germany’s goalless draw against Poland, Boateng’s tenacity on the pitch never allowed the likes of Lewandowski and Milik to be much of a goal threat. He made many crucial tackles throughout the match, the most notable of which was one to deny Lewandowski from the edge of the box. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his performances.
The centre-back continued his good form as he didn’t allow any of the Northern Ireland frontline to cause much trouble in an eventual 1-0 win. Boateng’s presence in defence has been a major reason why Germany are yet to concede in the tournament so far and will be hoping to maintain his consistency in the knockout rounds.
Right Back- Darijo Srna, Croatia
The Croatian skipper didn’t have an easy start to the tournament personally as after a brilliant showing against Turkey, he had to leave the team to attend his father’s funeral. He returned to the team in their second match against the Czech Republic and was sensational on the right flank in addition to making a number of crucial tackles in an eventual 2-2 draw.
Srna produced another fine defensive performance against Spain, where his presence at the right flank baffled the Spaniards and never gave the Spanish forwards much scoring opportunities as Croatia won the match 2-1, subsequently winning the group. Croatia’s most capped player has been in fine form in the tournament so far and his presence at the back in addition to his leadership skills will be required now more than ever as Croatia face Portugal in the last 16.
