Germany beat France in the match of the weekend, as goals from Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz gave Juilan Nagelsmann’s side a surprise 2-0 victory in Lyon.
In my SBOTOP preview, I pitched International Friendly: France vs Germany as a potential Euro 2024 final, and while I expected Les Bleus to win it, the way Julian Nagelsmann’s side played on Saturday night, I’m beginning to think the Germans are starting to look like winners again. And a strong Germany will give France a real run for their money at Euro 2024.
Wirtz is pure gold
He’s one of the world’s brightest stars, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has increased his stock further this weekend after scoring a sensational opener against France at the Groupama Stadium on Saturday night.
Take a look at the International Friendly 2024 highlights, if you get the chance, as the 20-year-old stunned the home crowd with a 1st-minute beauty into the top corner before Les Bleus had even touched the ball. And that moment of brilliance set the tone of the game as Germany ran out comfortable winners.
It was a result that has sent a mild shock wave around the world of football, but when you see that Germany have a player to sit alongside the likes of England’s Phil Foden in terms of his development and match-winning capability, this could be an exciting time for Germany fans.
It was Wirtz’ first goal for Germany, but he has already scored 21 for Die Werkself, and he has been one of the key players in Leverkusen’s march to the top of the Bundesliga.
Wirtz is an attacking midfielder, though he can also play as an inverted left winger, and his dynamic running will give defensive opponents at Euro 2024 less time to think.
France need Griezmann
Les Bleus have plenty of pace, youth, winners, and talent in their ranks, but when they faced Germany, Didier Deschamps’ men badly missed the artistry and intelligence of Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid star missed the match after spraining his ankle, and that ended an amazing seven-year international run for the 33-year-old.
Even without Griezmann, the International Friendly 2024 odds backed the hosts to beat the Germans, but they were badly off the pace from the very first minute, with Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe strangely subdued throughout, though he did miss two half-chances. The best player on the night for Les Bleus was Mbappe’s PSG clubmate Ousmane Dembele, who came closest to scoring, curling an effort just wide early in the second half.
Griezmann, who will also miss the match against Chile next week, was France’s most influential player at the 2022 World Cup, and his selflessness and willingness to run for the team are key to Les Bleus’ recent success. Quick and versatile, Griezmann can play any role across, or jut behind, the forward line, and his vision and technical prowess give something extra to France’s normally powerful attacking unit.
France fans will certainly hope to see the Atleti man back for their Euro 2024 opener against Austria in June.
Kroos makes Germany tick
Julian Nagelsmann has some promising young players in his squad, and Germany are under pressure to give their fans something to cheer about at Euro 2024, but one of his best achievements so far is persuading Toni Kroos to come out of retirement.
The Real Madrid star hung up his international boots two years ago, but now, at 34 years of age, he is back, and that is good news for Germany. In his first game back, he made an assist, teeing up Wirtz for his first-minute stunner, and from then on, Kroos controlled the pace of the game as Kai Havertz broke the French resistance again early in the second half.
Germany travelled to France as clear underdogs, but it is no surprise that their excellent showing coincided with Kroos’ return. His big stage experience, winning mentality, and superb passing range can only be a positive for the younger stars like Wirtz and Havertz. He has won three Bundesliga titles, three La Liga titles, and four Champions Leagues, and he was part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team, but Kroos has never won the European Championships. Maybe this is the year.
Deschamps expects more from his players.
For all the positivity around the Germany squad, there have been questions asked among Les Bleus this morning, and the manager was not happy with his team’s performance without the influential Griezmann: “I think we weren’t up for it,” he said. We didn’t have the ingredients. In terms of commitment and aggression, we were below them.”
Duchamp’s words might sting his players, but he has made it perfectly clear that his standards are higher.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
