France comes in Euro 2020 as an overwhelming favorite to win the tournament. After failing to win the title on home soil in 2016, Les Bleus went on to win the World Cup two years later in Russia. During the World Cup, France had a strong and loaded squad. Now, the squad is only better, stronger, and most importantly, more experienced.
Les Bleus are to play Germany in their opening game. Germany has struggled to recover after a disastrous title defense in Russia that saw them finish bottom of their group with only three points, the national team’s worst World Cup finish since 1938. Despite the struggles and disappointment since the 2018 World Cup, Die Mannschaft is a team with talent and should not be counted out.
“It’s a team which has not peaked.”
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 7, 2021
Arsene Wenger believes France are ‘super favourites’ to add the #Euro2020 title to their 2018 World Cup success. pic.twitter.com/2TZNHUbwDS
France has not lost to Germany since their clash in the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup. Since then, France has three wins and two draws against Die Mannschaft.
Both national teams are on a mission. Les Bleus are looking to keep their dominant and winning form alive. On the other hand, Die Mannschaft is eager to return to its winning ways. Germany has always been known for having a winning mentality while France has struggled with that throughout its history. Unfortunately, in Germany’s case, a winning mentality has highly lacked since their title defense three years ago. On a positive note, Die Mannschaft knows that Les Bleus are not an unbeatable team, despite all their talent, potential, etc. Furthermore, they know that Les Bleus have a weakness or two.
France knows that they cannot enter this game with an arrogant attitude. That’s a mistake that has doomed them many times in the past. In addition, they know that Germany can find their winning mentality in a heartbeat. In other words, if Die Mannschaft is aware or realizes that Les Bleus are not playing with a winning mentality and/or team chemistry, the Germans will take full advantage. So France needs to 100 percent mentally fit in this game and they must play as a team.
Les Bleus needs to get the ball into the back of the net and do it quickly. However, an early lead for the French will not rule out any chance of a comeback for the Germans. In that case, France needs to waste no time in doubling the lead if they on the board early on. In order to maintain an advantage, Les Bleus need to be at least two steps ahead of Die Mannschaft.
Both teams are very solid on the attack. In France’s case, they’ll need a strong performance by the defense. Keeping a clean sheet will be difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible. As long as the ball is kept clear from their goalie, France can keep the pressure low. The French attack is going to have to inflict as much pressure as they can on the German defense. Les Bleus know that Die Mannschaft will attempt to put pressure on them, so they have to counter and put the pressure on the Germans.
Keeping the pressure low is a key objective to victory and to achieve that objective, France needs to play very good defense and score goals. If France can make the Germans crack under pressure, they’ll win the game comfortably. However, Les Bleus cannot underestimate Die Mannschaft.
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