Host nation Germany faces by far the toughest European Championship test to date. In Stuttgart on Friday, the DFB team will face Spain, who have won four games. blue Sport expert Marcel Reif analyzes the duel.
Marcel Reif on ...
... the German team's performances so far ...
"Joshua Kimmich has put it in a nutshell. We can beat anyone, but we're also beatable. For example, in the last game against Denmark, they showed the best I've seen from the German team in recent years in the first 20 minutes. And then they suddenly pull the plug again and look fragile again, giving up space and chances. If they do all that consistently, they have a chance. If not, it will be difficult."
... and the Spaniard
"From everything we've seen at the tournament so far, Spain are the best team. And by some distance. Everything is right. The mix is right, the offense is right ... There are a few holes in the defense. But the way they play the games consistently and seriously from A to Z, despite all their kids running around on the pitch like they're in the school playground, is really impressive. They have found a mixture of young and old. They now even have a broader spectrum. There are also long balls, not just tiki-taka."
"Rodri in midfield is the measure of all things, he's the only person on earth who can play a double six on his own. Yamal up front, what do you want to say? 16 years old and drives a defender crazy. And on the other side is 21-year-old Williams, he drives you even crazier ... I was one of those people who said before the tournament: 'Morata is 32, Yamal is 16. He's twice as old. That won't work. They won't get the mixture right."
"The coach is outstanding. Luis de la Fuente is an unpretentious, unagitated guy who has coached almost everyone at youth level because he was in charge of the youth teams in the Spanish association. They've had other coaches, Luis Enrique and others, who were - let's say - very present. He smiles in a friendly way, doesn't talk nonsense before the game, doesn't talk nonsense after the game. And he obviously manages to get 16-year-olds and 32-year-olds to play football together."
... who is the favorite?
"The Spanish won't have any problems with being favorites - after ten minutes of the first game, they were favorites to win the group and also the title. For the Germans: the atmosphere in the country is already pretty good, and with the home crowd that's naturally a boost. That's a factor that can't be ignored. But such a factor can hardly decide a game. For the role of favorites, I would therefore say: 60:40 for Spain."
... the weaknesses of the Spaniards
"They have Le Normand and Laporte in central defense. That's okay, but no more internationally. You have to get to them. The only problem is, if they're constantly keeping you busy up front with this circus they're putting on offensively, you won't be able to cause them any problems. And you also have to get past Rodri."
... the tactics of the Germans
"You can't get in behind, then you're dead as a doornail. The Germans can't do that either, they won't do that either. So you have to look for your chances. You also have to take a bit of a risk, then you have to open up and march and leave space at the back. Otherwise you don't even need to compete. Germany are not without a chance ..."
... the key for the DFB players
"You have to get past Rodri in midfield. You have to cut off the passing lanes. And on the outside - Kimmich has no chance against Williams, and Raum or whoever is hopeless on the other side - you have to catch them in a one-two. But if you always have two-packs, then we're back in defense, then you can't get forward."
"The rest of the Germans are competitive. Havertz is no worse than Morata when he's on top form. Sané doesn't have to hide anywhere in the world when he's finally pain-free and in top form."
"A few defenders have already had Musiala put on their backsides. If he's in the mood and knows when to pass the ball instead of making a monkey out of the sixth opponent, then the Germans have something to offer. Gündogan is the best Gündogan in a long time. The Spaniards know Toni Kroos from their own league, so they'll try to close down the famous passing lanes (...). In terms of goalkeeping, the Germans are still one step ahead with Neuer, as long as he puts an end to his strange mistakes, which are recurring at the moment."
