The Group of Death!
Group F is easily the toughest of the six first-round groups at Euro 2020, as it features France (the reigning World Cup champions), Germany (four-time World Cup winners), Portugal (the defending European champions) and Hungary (a nation that is enjoying a bit of a renaissance).
With all of the Group F games taking place in Munich and Budapest, Germany and Hungary will have a distinct advantage, but it might not be enough of an edge to push them past a strong France side that has welcomed Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema back into the fold following a five-year exile, and a Portugal team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, who despite his age (he turned 36 this year) continues to shine in big occasions.
FRANCE
Coach: Didier Deschamps
Roster: Click here to view the full roster.
Possible starting XI:
4-4-2 – (GK) Lloris – (D) Hernandez, Kimpembe, Varane, Pavard – (M) Lemar, Kante, Pogba, Coman – (F) Griezmann, Mbappé
SCHEDULE
June 15, 3 p.m. ET: vs. GermanyJune 19, 9 a.m. ET: vs. HungaryJune 23, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Portugal
ODDS
To win group: +125To win tournament: +500
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Kylian Mbappé set Russia ablaze in 2018 when he helped Les Bleus win the World Cup – and he was only a teenager. Since then he’s only got better. Lightning quick, sublime ball control and a ruthlessness in front of goal makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the world.
Breakout player to watch: He’s not at the top of France’s depth chart at the forward position, but if given the chance, Marcus Thuram could show why he’s considered one of France’s brightest, untapped young stars.
Biggest strength: France’s depth is staggering. Coach Didier Deschamp has a number of quality options at every position from which to choose. If he loses a player to injury or lack of form, they are easily replaced.
Biggest weakness: Despite a loss to Turkey, the French cruised through the qualifiers to win their group without much bother. The lack of competition could make them stale and slow coming out of the gate in what is easily the toughest group at Euro 2020.
Burning question: How will Karim Benzema’s return affect the team? The Real Madrid forward is coming off a sensational season in La Liga, but he hasn’t played for France in five years. Will his return upset the team culture that Deschamps has built in his absence? Does Benzema risk starting him ahead of Antoine Griezmann next to Mbappé?
GERMANY
Coach: Joachim Löw
Roster: Click here to view the full roster.
Possible starting XI:
3-4-3 – (GK) Neuer – (D) Ginter, Hummels, Süle – (M) Gosens, Kroos, Kimmich, Klostermann – (F) Werner, Müller, Gnabry
SCHEDULE
June 15, 3 p.m. ET: vs. FranceJune 19, 12 p.m. ET: vs. PortugalJune 23, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Hungary
ODDS
To win group: +135To win tournament: +700
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Bayern Munich youngster Serge Gnabry is in a rich vein of form for his country, having scored a team-leading eight goals in the qualifiers. The Germans will be looking to the speedster as the main reference point in their attack and as someone who can unbalance opposing defenders.
Breakout player to watch: Jamal Musiala is only 18, but the Bayern Munich attacking midfielder possesses great technical ability and plays with a level of maturity that belies his age and inexperience. He can also be deployed in a number of different roles in the midfield.
Biggest strength: Like France, Die Mannschaft’s depth at every position on the field is the envy of the majority of teams at Euro 2020. Manager Joachim Löw is spoiled with quality options, allowing him the luxury of rotating his squad.
Biggest weakness: It could be Löw himself, who plans to step down after Euro 2020 following a 15-year spell in charge. The last few years have been anything but smooth for Germany, who travelled to Russia three years ago as the defending World Cup champions and tournament favourites. Instead, they bowed out in the first round. Have they put that embarrassing exit behind them?
PORTUGAL
Coach: Fernando Santos
Roster:
Possible starting XI:
4-3-3 – (GK) Lopes – (D) Mendes, Fonte, Dias, Cancelo – (M) B. Silva, Sanches, Neves – (F) Felix, Jota, Ronaldo
SCHEDULE
June 15, 12 p.m. ET: vs. HungaryJune 19, 12 p.m. ET: vs. GermanyJune 23, 3 p.m. ET: vs. France
ODDS
To win group: +350To win tournament: +900
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Who else could it possibly be? It’s unfair to label Portugal a one-man team, because it’s not. But there’s no question that Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a team-high 11 goals in the qualifiers, is the chief protagonist and inspirational figure for A Seleção.
Breakout player to watch: Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, 21, is considered one of the most promising young prospects in the world. He is a versatile forward who is capable of playing anywhere across the front line, and he’s a quick and intelligent player with an eye for goal.
Biggest strength: The Portuguese have a deep and varied group of attacking players beyond Ronaldo. Fernando Santos can call upon players the calibre of Bruno Fernandes, Diego Jota, Bernardo Silva and Joao Felix, all of whom excelled for their pro clubs this season.
Biggest weakness: Despite Portugal’s depth, there continues to be an over-reliance on Ronaldo. If opposing teams can shut him down, will Portugal be able to quickly adapt, especially against tough sides such as Germany and France?
Burning question: With a wealth of talented midfielders, Santos shuffled players in and out his starting lineup over the course of the qualifiers. Will the experimentation continue at Euro 2020, or does he have a firm sense of what is his best 11?
HUNGARY
Coach: Marco Rossi
Roster: Click here to view full roster.
Possible starting XI:
3-5-2 – (GK) Gulácsi (D) Fiola, Orbán, Attila Szalai – (M) Lovrencsics, Kleinheisler, A. Nagy, Gazdag, Varga – (F) Sallai, Ádám Szalai
SCHEDULE
June 15, 12 p.m. ET: vs. PortugalJune 19, 9 a.m. ET: vs. FranceJune 23, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Germany
ODDS
To win group: +3300To win tournament: +25000
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Centre back Willi Orbán is not only responsible for marshalling the back line, but he also contributes on the offensive end. He was Hungary’s top scorer in the qualifiers with three goals.
Breakout player to watch: Attila Szalai, 23, enjoyed a solid debut season for Fenerbahçe in the Turkish league. The centre back made his national team debut two years ago, and has looked reliable in the few games he’s played in.
Biggest strength: As one of the tournament’s hosts, Hungary will play two of its group-stage matches at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. That gives them a big advantage in their first two games against Portugal and France.
Biggest weakness: UEFA hasn’t done the Hungarians any favours at all, grouping them together with the last two World Cup winners (France and Germany) and Portugal, the reigning European champions. Given the team’s modest player pool, it’s tough to envision how they’ll compete against three of the best teams in the world.
Burning question: Can Hungary survive without Dominik Szoboszlai? It was always going to be a tough task for them, but with their most influential midfielder ruled out through injury, Hungary’s job is even more difficult.
