International Friendly: This Could Be the Euro 2024 Final!

France vs Germany

Of all the matches we have lined up this week, International Friendly: France vs Germany is the biggest draw, and in four months’ time, the two nations might well be fighting for the European crown. 

Germany fans have had it rough in recent times, but as hosts of Euro 2024, they have a big chance to see the good times roll back. Not only do they want to avoid the humiliation of another group stage exit in the summer, they want more. Meanwhile, alongside England, France are the favourites to win another tournament under Didier Deschamps.

In the German camp, Julian Nagelsmann has been drafted in to restore order, and this match will be a good measure for the former Bayern Munich boss. 

Talking Points

No Griezmann for France

For the first time in seven years, France will be without Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann after he pulled out of the friendlies after suffering an ankle sprain.

With 44 goals in 127 games, he has been a mainstay of the French success over the last decade, and Griezmann was one of the players of the tournament in Qatar in 2022. He’s sure to be back in the fold for Euro 2024, but Deschamps has other options for now.

Bayern’s Kingsley Coman is also out of the running, and that means the Paris Saint-Germain pair of Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani should get a run out, with Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby another forward pushing for a place. Deschamps is also likely to give exciting PSG youngster Warren Zaire-Emery a start in midfield after recovering from injury. 

The French have been the most successful European side in recent years, and their rivals will be lining up to knock them down. Nagelsmann’s side will be keen to show they can live with the best on Saturday.

The International Friendly 2024 betting odds say it will be a tall order, particularly with Kylian Mbappe ready to lead Les Bleus into another tournament. The PSG talisman scored a hat-trick in Les Bleus 14-0 dismantling of Gibraltar in November, and with his widely expected move to Madrid around the corner, he will be keen to prove he is French through and through. 

Kroos out of retirement

In other International Friendly 2024 news, a return for midfield ace Toni Kroos is on the cards after he reversed his decision to retire from international football two years ago. The Real Madrid midfield ace has been persuaded by Nagelsmann to help lead his young guns, and, at 34 years of age, he has bags of experience.

His vision, passing, crossing, and set-piece skills make Kroos one of the best creative midfielders in the game, and the likes of Arsenal striker Kai Havertz will be rubbing his hands.

Nagelsmann has also rewarded a quartet of VfB Stuttgart players whose form has lifted De Roten up to third place in the Bundesliga table with a good chance of winning Champions League football.

Midfielder Chris Fuhrich is in line to add to his first international cap, while striker Denis Undav and defenders Max Mittelstadt and Waldermar Anton could all make their international debuts. Undav has scored 14 goals for Stuttgart this season, and, while he is also eligible to play for Turkey, he could be a long-shot choice for Germany at the Euros. 

History

France have won six of the 12 head-to-head meetings over the past 20 years, with three draws and three German wins, which included a 2-1 triumph in a friendly last September. It was Germany’s first match following the sacking of Hansi Flick, and Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane scored for interim boss Rudi Voller, while Griezmann replied for Les Bleus. 

In terms of recent form, the Deschamps men are well in front, with four wins from the last six games, while Germany have managed two and France have won their last six matches on home soil. 

Betting Tip

Les Bleus are strong favourites to win this game at SBOTOP odds of 1.73, while Germany are priced at 3.54 and the draw is 3.21. It’s the match of the weekend, and both teams will be keen to show what they can do.

Nagelsmann is working hard to put together a winning formula before the Euros start in June, and he will blood some inexperienced players. Deschamps, on the other hand, has a well-established team and a squad with plenty of depth. They may miss Griezmann and Coman, but with Mbappe and Dembele in their team, the French will have plenty of firepower—and probably too much for Germany. 

 

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