The Germans always find a way to win.
They seem to dig out results when it really matters. They play England at Wembley in the knockout stages and I have got a sneaky feeling that they will end up going through on penalties again. They just have the know-how to come out with big performances and results.
I have to say I really enjoyed the group stage of Euro 2020.
My match of the tournament so far was Germany’s 2-2 draw with Hungary. The Hungarians went in front twice but the Germans, as they do, managed to fight back and get the result they needed to progress. At one point they were going out but they always seem to produce when it matters.
The Germany team is so unpredictable and that makes them a fascinating watch. They could come and beat England 4-0 but they could easily lose 4-0. They have some good players but you don’t know what you will get from them at times. I had them down to hammer Hungary in my predictions but that shows how far off I am.
Hungary led twice but on both occasions but I knew Germany would come back to equalise. They don’t panic. They made changes and sent on Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala and that got them back into the game. It ended up 2-2 and in the end it was Hungary who went out.
Here’s my verdict of the tournament so far, with the last 16 clashes about to get underway.
Team of the Euro 2020 group stage
DANNY WARD (Wales)
He has been really assured and made some big saves for Wales. He would be my outstanding pick for the goalkeeping position.
PLAYER OF THE GROUP STAGE: LEONARDO SPINAZZOLA (Italy)
He has been absolutely marvellous down the left-hand side for the Italians. He has shown a great work rate. He has energy, speed, quality and he can also link up as well. He is the driving force for this Italian team. They start off with a back four but they are very attacking, which traditionally is very un-Italian like. They have been famed for being so defensive but this team really likes to get forward and Spinazzola is a massive part of that. I wasn’t overly familiar with him ahead of the tournament. I knew he had done okay in Serie A with Roma but he has really caught my eye. Players always emerge from these tournaments and he is the one for me, so far. He has been a standout.
TYRONE MINGS (England)
This might surprise a few people because there were major doubts over him going into the tournament. I know Harry Maguire came in for England’s last game but I think Mings looked really assured in those first two games. He has been very good and he would be unlucky if he does get left out for the Germany game.
SIMON KJAER (Denmark)
The Danish captain has been massive for their team on and off the pitch. He is their leader at the back and we all saw his response to Christian Erikssen when he collapsed and how he got the team all together on the pitch. He comes out of this tournament with a lot of credit.
DENZEL DUMFRIES (Holland)
I have been impressed with the Dutch at Euro 2020. He has been a bit like Spinazzola for the Dutch. He has given the Dutch plenty of energy down that right hand side. He likes to get forward and he has been a big threat for Holland.
MANUEL LOCATELLI (Italy)
The midfielder got the nod ahead of Marco Verratti. It will be interesting to see what the Italians do going into the Austria game but they can’t leave him out. He has been excellent and scored a couple of goals against Switzerland. He is a great technician.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Belgium)
He had that serious injury in the Champions League final. He missed the first game but he came on against Denmark and turned the game around. His injury has shown no signs of affecting him. If Belgium are to win it but then he has to be the key man for them.
GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM (Holland)
The former Liverpool player has been massive for the Dutch. His energy and goals have been vital. He gets up and down the pitch and is a good all-rounder. He would be a massive loss if he was to come out of that Holland team.
CRISTIANO RONALDO (Portugal)
He has broken another record at Euro 2020 and his numbers are just incredible. He loves a penalty but he has enormous influence on this Portugal team and he just seems to be able to drag them through. Portugal is a strange team. They have so many good players but they haven’t really sparked yet. Cristiano is not the same player he was but he is still massive for Portugal.
ROMELU LUKAKU (Belgium)
He is just unplayable at times. He has scored goals against Finland and Russia. He has real power and if defenders get too tight then he will use his physicality to his advantage as he has shown in this tournament already. He leads the line well, is fast and is hungry for goals. A big player for Belgium.
PATRIK SCHICK (Czech Republic)
The big man was very quiet against England but I have to have him in for the influence he has had on the tournament. He has scored three goals and they got the Czech Republic four points. That is the reason why they are in the knockout stages. He scored a great header against Scotland and his second was goal of the tournament. A lot of people blame David Marshall for the second goal but it was an incredible strike and awareness from Schick. He also showed he is as dangerous from 12 yards with the penalty against Croatia.
