Euro 2020 has now had its first goalless draw, its first red card and what will surely be the goal of the tournament – all on the same day!
It hasn’t, it must be said, been a tournament where everything has gone brilliantly for players from Liverpool – but that might change on Tuesday when Diogo Jota takes to the field.
Day five brings the much-anticipated group of death – though with three possibly going through the only side likely to succumb is poor old Hungary – and Jota should be in action.
No complaints can be had about the levels of entertainment on show – and results so far suggest the tension will really crank up next week.
Day 4 talking points
- Andy Robertson was the stand-out for Scotland as they went down to Czech Republic. It was a decent, but wasteful, showing from the Scots – our left-back was captain and a fantastic early outlet.
- Patrik Schick stole all the headlines though! Two goals, one from almost the halfway line, basically hands him goal of the tournament!
This angle of Patrick Schick goal is unreal pic.twitter.com/DCQiGROieN
— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) June 14, 2021
Still thinking about how much curl Patrik Schick put on that lob from halfway ? pic.twitter.com/1rDPxYeyET
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 14, 2021
?? Patrik Schick ??????!
? Will there be a better effort than THIS in the first round of games?
@GazpromFootball | #EUROGOTR | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/skA67Yqeik
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 14, 2021
- Spain utterly dominated Sweden with a whopping 85% possession, but picked Alvaro Morata up front so they drew 0-0.
Today’s fixtures
- Hungary vs Portugal, Group F, 5pm on ITV
- France vs Germany, Group F, 8pm on ITV
Expectations on…
Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema. France are favourites, France are world champions, France have recalled the Real Madrid striker after a brilliant season.
He and the PSG star haven’t yet had a big chance to click together, but with Didier Deschamps favouring a diamond recently, they are likely to be paired in attack to start the tournament.
Germany aren’t at their old level, for sure, but still have enough good players to trouble the best sides if they are not on top of their game, and France are effectively at the level that if they don’t win and play very well, they’ll be criticised.
Key battle to watch
If Spain vs Sweden was one-sided last night, Portugal facing Hungary could be the same again…but with more pace and end product about the attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously the main one here, but with Bruno Fernandes attacking the centre behind him from midfield, how Hungary manage to jam up the middle of the park is crucial – so Leipzig duo Willi Orban in defence, and Peter Gulacsi in goal, will be the organisers and most important pair for Hungary.
Then it’s over to the wide men to get creative…
Reds in action
…which is where Diogo Jota is likely to be stationed. He should just about get the nod over Joao Felix and Goncalo Guedes, judging by pre-tournament line-ups.
After Andy Robertson lost with Scotland and Thiago came on as sub in Spain’s draw, no Liverpool player has yet started and won a match at Euro 2020, let alone scored or assisted. Can Jota change that trend?!
Fans are talking about…
Other than Schick’s incredible exploits, it’s Emma Hayes on the co-commentary. Considering some of the diabolical, cliche-ridden and obviously have-no-clue-about-these-players tripe that the likes of Danny Murphy have been spouting, the Chelsea Women manager was praised for being insightful and knowledgeable in her stint covering the Slovakia win over Poland.
Emma Hayes is absolutely boss
— Caoimhe O'Neill (@CaoimheSport) June 14, 2021
Sure I'm one of hundreds saying the same, but Emma Hayes' co-commentary has been superb. Tactical insight, opinion, knowledge of playing styles. This is the standard we want.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) June 14, 2021
There’s a skill in co-commentary
There’s a skill in making tactics easy to understand
Emma Hayes has mastered both, in one of her first (men’s) co comms gigs, seamlessly explaining things about players it’s fair to say she doesn’t watch week in week out
Anything she can’t do?
— Molly Hudson (@M0lly_Writes) June 14, 2021
Emma Hayes: ‘Poland have moved their midfield line forward 10 yards allowing them to dominate 2nd phases of play, Slovakia’s AMIDs now have a large gap to cover in transitions putting pressure on the team, Lewandowski has to cover the pivot.’
Danny Murphy: ‘He kick ball hard!’
— Jonathan Fadugba (@JFfutbol) June 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/lraqWarVeteran/status/1404474084906446857
Listening to Emma Hayes talk about football is amazing. We’re watching 22 players we rarely see and she’s giving full and in depth tactical breakdowns.
Whereas Jenas/McManaman/Hoddle always get the big games and waffle for 90 minutes pronouncing every single players name wrong
— Will (@willreyner) June 14, 2021
Predictions
Portugal to hammer Hungary. France to serve Germany a reminder they need to improve.
