It was a shocking sight yesterday as Swizterland eliminated France from the Euro 2020 tournament and truth be told France never lived up to their billing. France entered the tournament with the front runner and only contender for the trophy, but their display was average instead of the rating earlier given.
Many expected much more from the France team but they came short. While Mbappe has not had a great tournament so far, the penalty loss will compound his misery and self-confidence. He was billed to the star man for the France team but his strike colleague Benzema was the eventual flag bearer in a team that posses so much attacking talent.
The players can only be blamed little ad the head coach should be the one taking most of the blame. His conversation approach to every match despite having arrays of talent in his arsenal is sick to watch. He was a bit cautious and he took the play it safe approach in every match. the loss suffered yesterday was to be blamed on his technical changes and luck being against the France team.
The positive to take out from this tournament for France is that they have a capable centre forward in the person of Benzema and they could focus on retaining the world cup trophy they won four years ago. Mnbappe should be more matured the and his feud with his teammate Giroud would have been cleared out by then.
With Portugal losing a day before to Belgium, it's safe to say that the title contenders have been trimmed. Denmark won't be challenging for the title but they have done excellently well in the tournament even without their star man Eriksen. His injury was a blow to the team and the football world, and now his football career is even in doubt but the Denmark team has done well entering the quarter-final and it will be a bad campaign if they got eliminated at this stage.
With respect to that view, they are a few decent teams left in the tournament but Italy and Belgium stand the highest chance of winning among the rest. With Spain, England, Germany still left in the tournament, rating Italy as a contender might be too huge but they have proven they are no pushover.
It has always been said that trophies are won based on how good a team could defend, so In the same regard, Italy and Belgium fit that bill as they have a great defensive unit more than the rest. Although the Spain national team could have been called among this favourite the team has only thrived among smaller nations and it still remains to be seen if they are real contenders or pretenders.
for Italy, the goal conceded in the match against Austria was the first goal conceded in 31 matches and the first in this tournament. Italy may not have the best forward or team but their unity and willingness to convert for one another has been eye-catching. Italy coach Mancini has transformed the team into a machine and that attack and defend like one unit.
Despite no having a stand out star-like other teams such as France and Portugal, they have a player with key set skills needed to keep the team moving forward and so far they have done excellently well in this tournament. That's one major reason why I am rooting for them. the introduction of varatti into the team will even make them more dangerous in attack and sharp in defence.
Belgium on the other hand will be the team on everyone's mind as the likely tournament winner due to the dept and array of talent in their squad. The team has grown to be better than they used to be and the coach is ripping from the reward. the team is more mature than it used to be and the team spirit is high as ever.
defeating the defending champion of course will give them more morale to face their next opponent (Italy) and they will be gunning for the title. The team is even m9re equipped than the team which played in the world cup three years ago. Almost all players have stepped up and there is a sense of responsibility among all the squad players now.
Although Eden hazard has not been his best version of the player during his tinct with real Madrid due to injury, he has impressed so far in this Belgium team. the likes of kelvin Debryne is still bursting the midfield despite injured but he has played through the pain and helped his team in the best possible way he could.
Lukaku who is their target man has impressed and his three goals is a testament to how he has become an all-around striker. He is more matured now with even more vast experience than he has in previous years and he has bought it to help the Belgium team push forward and maybe make amend for their shortcoming in their last tournament (World cup). The likes of Thorgan Hazard and Carrasco are finally leaving up to their hype in this tournament.
I don't see Germany as a contender due to their leaking backline. While Germany organisation might be great, their backline is still shaking and will struggle against high pressing team or teams who throws long balls. They are lucky to find themselves in this round as Hungary almost threw them out of the tournament 6 days ago but a late goal settles the match in a draw and sees them progress.
Their next opponent England will be a much tougher test than they have played against and they will struggle due to the blistering pace of the England wingers who in the twinkle of an eye could cover a mile of distance. Germany struggled against that in the France game and England will likely exploit that.
With that being said any that that progress between this two tp the quarter-final will be a team to watch out for and will likely be a big contender for the euro trophy come mid-July. What's your view on a being said and who are you rooting for to win this title, let me know in the comment section.
Bye for now.
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