The second semi-final of Euro 2016 kicks off at 12:30 A.M. IST on Friday. After Portugal confirmed their spot in the finals, the whole world is waiting anxiously to see who will join them for the final showdown on Sunday.
Germany will be on cloud nine coming into this match, having broken a longstanding jinx against Italy, in their quarter-final match up. After dominating for the major part of the match, a moment of madness from Jerome Boateng brought the Italians back into the match. A nerve-wracking penalty shootout ensued, and despite being on the verge of losing several times, the Germans held their nerve and emerged victorious after the 9th kick.
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France emerged as strong contenders for the Euro title, after an emphatic statement of intent against minnows Iceland, the tournament’s Cinderella story, in the quarterfinals. An emphatic 5-2 victory, with swashbuckling performances from their attacking trio of Griezmann, Giroud and Payet will see France go into this match with a lot of confidence. Let’s take a look at 5 players to keep our eyes on for tonight’s clash:
#1 Manuel Neuer:
The German shot-stopper cum stand-in captain added to his cult hero status recently. The hero of the penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, Neuer played a crucial role in keeping Germany alive in the shootout when they looked down and almost out.
Saves from Bonucci and then Darmian, who was the unfortunate last taker for Italy, meant Germany had vanquished their eternal ghost, in the Azzurri. Neuer did not have much to do during the course of normal time, but he once again put his sweeper-keeper best on display and made a number of crucial interceptions.
Neuer will once again have to don the role of an extra defender behind his backline, as the French team will rely on quick passing and through balls behind the German defence to utilise the blistering pace of Antoine Griezmann and co. Neuer’s role becomes especially important in this regard, as the German defence will be weakened in the absence of Mats Hummels.
#2 Jerome Boateng:
It seems to be almost a sense of deja vu and rewind for Jerome Boateng. He had started as the leader and most experienced player in an inexperienced backline in the absence of Mats Hummels, in Germany’s opening encounter against Ukraine, during the onset of the group stages of Euro 2016.
Although it was not a particularly convincing performance from the German defence as a whole, and they were lucky to escape with a clean sheet, Boateng earned rave reviews for his performance. Boateng had marshalled the defence well and had come up with a brilliant goal-line clearance to deny the Ukrainians, which was the highlight of his night.
That match proved that Boateng had finally made the grade as one of the world’s elite defenders. Always regarded as a hugely talented player, Boateng has finally discovered the secret to consistent displays. Apart from a bizarre moment when he gave away a penalty to bring Italy back into the game during the quarter-finals, Boateng had a solid game, using his athleticism to keep Graziano Pelle and Eder quiet all night.
German fans will hope Boateng steps up tonight to ensure Hummels’ absent is not felt.
#3 Paul Pogba:
At the centre of a transfer saga involving some of Europe’s top clubs, his next destination will be the least of Pogba’s worries when he takes to the field against the Germans tonight. Pogba might be the subject of world record transfer bids, but he certainly has not yet hit top gear yet.
A commanding performance against Iceland will have done a world of good for the French starlet, who looked devoid of confidence and his usual swagger, as the burden of the hopes of an entire nation resting on his tender shoulders seemed to be too much for him.
Having scored a goal and put in a solid display throughout the match, Pogba will look to build on that performance tonight. With the nation’s gaze shifting towards Griezmann and Dimitri Payet, Pogba is no longer the subject of the limelight alone, which will surely help him tonight.
French fans will be hoping he can keep the dangerous German midfield quiet, and chip in with a few attacks to help his team’s cause.
#4 Dimitri Payet:
Quite simply, the star of the show at Euro 2016 till now, Payet has won rave reviews for his showings in the tournament thus far. He scored a sublime goal against Iceland, which effectively ended the match on the night. Payet was once again almost unplayable on the night, as he combined mazy dribbling skills with passes threaded through the eye of a needle and a bombastic shot on both feet.
Iceland were the latest team to fall by the wayside in the wake of Payet’s fantastic form. Although the Germans will be a completely different cup of tea, with a much more solid midfield and world class defenders, expect Payet to shine again.
Payet will be crucial to the end result tonight, as the entire creative machinery of France has become heavily reliant on the West Ham superstar. Expect the Germans to pay additional attention, possibly even man mark Payet, to try and keep him quiet.
#5 Antoine Griezmann:
Griezmann was perfect against Iceland, in many ways. After a difficult start to Euro 2016, where it seemed Griezmann was a misfit in the possession based tactical setup Didier Deschamps chose to adopt, Griezmann has found his feet. Leading the scoring charts, with 4 goals in 5 matches, along with 2 assists, Griezmann is France’s most potent threat in front of goal.
Adept at playing on the counter attack, the Atletico Madrid star took some time to master the art of running the channels between defenders. However it seems he has adapted to the different tactical style, and now looks in sublime form.
Blessed with blazing speed, he has been using it to deadly effect, combining superbly with Olivier Giroud up front. Dmitri Payet has also been helping their cause with immaculate through balls behind opposition defenders. With Griezmann up front, France have deadly pace and pose a strong threat on the counter attack and the German defenders will have to be extra cautious to keep him at bay.
