Euro 2020 Preview

After a long wait, Euro 2020 is finally upon us - in 2021! Here is your all you need to know guide a few days before the tournament starts with favorites, underdogs/dark horses, players to watch/breakout players and games to watch. As Euro 2020 and Copa America 2021 play out through the next month, stay tuned for daily recaps right here with scores and game summaries, moments of the day, and topics of discussion throughout the tournaments.

Who Are the Favorites? What Are Their Issues? What’s In Their Favor?

England

When a coach takes down to the last minute to select a 26-man squad there’s clearly difficult decisions to make. Almost in every position England have at least 2 quality players. World Cup semi-finalists in 2018 that have more depth and talent than in 2018… there’s cause for optimism. Kane, Sancho, Sterling, Mount, James, Walker, Bellingham and the list goes on. England are filled with talent all over the field in depth. England play all group games at home at Wembley and if they win the group their Round of 16 game will also be at home. The semi-finals and finals are going to be played at Wembley. Therefore, England would practically have the opportunity to play all games at home except one should they make it to the final. The major question is… can they handle the pressure and live up to expectation? England mostly tend to underachieve and that’s the question, if this will just be another of those times?

Belgium

Lukaku, De Bruyne, Hazard and more. Belgium is reaching the last stage of its Golden Generation and still have not won a major tournament. Alderweireld and Vertonghen are no longer in their prime, Kompany is retired. Belgium is currently ranked #1 in the world and has found success and stability under Roberto Martinez in a 3-4-3. Can Lukaku, De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Carrasco and the rest of their talents finally lead Belgium to a major trophy is the question? This may be the last or one of the last chances this generation has. Also, will Eden Hazard show up as the Eden Hazard we know after an injury ridden season? If not, this may have a major impact on the hopes of the Belgians.

France

Well, they are World Champions, have arguably the brightest young prospect in football in Mbappe, arguably the best midfielder in Kante and arguably a top 3 striker in Karim Benzema. Not to mention the rest of the talents surrounding these guys such as Griezmann, Coman, Pogba, Varane, Rabiot and company. Like England, France are loaded with talent in depth all over the pitch. Consider that Upamecano, Mendy and other players coming off good seasons were left out of the squad. The major question for France is can they repeat their success of 2018 this summer? Only two defending World Champions have won a European Championship and one of them were? France. Can they do it again?

Portugal

The defending European Champions. If you ask many, they are lucky to be. However, this time around their team has much more talent than last time. Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Cancelo, Felix, Jota, Danilo and of course Ronaldo. Portugal is loaded with talent, especially up front. If the team in 2016 won, then this squad definitely can. However, there are many questions around this team including having only 3 natural CBs in their squad two of which are 37 and 38 (fatigue will definitely be a factor for teams going deep in this tournament). As a team, Portugal do not perform as well as they should actually finishing 2nd in their qualifying group to Ukraine, often playing on the back foot, which doesn’t suit a team with the talent they have up front. So there are questions without a debut.

Who May Make an Unexpected Run? Why?

Turkey

Turkey is a team to fear. They have reached the semi-finals in 2 of the past 3 major tournaments they have qualified for. One of those? The 2002 World Cup and the same coach that led Turkey to the semis in 2002 is back with them in 2020. Combine that with talents such as a CB partnership of Demiral and Soyuncu and then Yilmaz up front after leading Lille to the Ligue 1 title this season and then Calhanoglu on set pieces. Don’t be surprised if Turkey reach at least the quarter finals.

Ukraine

Ukraine beat Portugal to 1st in their qualifying group and are led by legend Andriy Shevchenko. They went unbeaten in qualifying conceding only 4 goals. With Zinchenko and Malinovskyi in their midfield this can be a dangerous team especially when you throw in Yaremchuk who has scored 23 goals this season for Gent. Watch out for Ukraine and don’t be surprised if they beat the Netherlands out to first in the group.

Denmark

Denmark will play all 3 group matches at home and have a solid CB partnership in Christensen and Kjaer and then a strong midfield between Delaney, Hojbjerg and Eriksen. However, goals are hard to come by for the Danes even with Braithwaite, Dolberg and Poulsen up front as options. However, with a strong CB partnership and strong central midfield options, Denmark is a defensively solid unit with a strong spine that can make a run if their #9s can hit the back of the net.

Switzerland

Switzerland has solid players all over the field starting with Yann Sommer in goal, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Nico Elvedi and Fabian Schar in defense, Denis Zakaria, Granit Xhaka, Steven Zuber, Xherdan Shaqiri and Remo Freuler in midfield with Hans Seferovic, Amir Mehmedi and Breel Embolo up front. If at least a few of these guys play at their best, Switzerland may finally be able to pass a Round fo 16 in a major tournament. However, their game against Turkey may dictate their fate in the tournament as Turkey are also a team that could make a run.

Sweden

Sweden reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup and lost only once in Euro 2020 qualifiers. They are a very defensively sound side that are hard to break down and this is a major factor that makes them a dark horse. Throw in their mix of youth and experience with Dejan Kulusevski, Aleksander Isak, Emil Forsberg, Marcus Berg and Victor Lindelof. This team can make a run deeper than most expect.

Poland

Robert. Lewandowski.

Which Players Should You Keep an Eye on?

Burak Yilmaz

The Turkish veteran led Lille to the Ligue 1 title scoring 16 goals and making 5 assists in 28 games. He is expected to play a major role in any potential success Turkey may have.

Elif Elmas

Although North Macedonia is expected to exit early, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder from North Macedonia who played in 33 of Napoli’s 38 games in Serie A this season could show one or two highlights of his ability that has made him a fixture in Napoli’s team.

Manuel Locatelli

The young central midfielder for Sassuolo is 4th in the pecking order for Italy’s CMs and has a genuine ability to carry the ball forward and create opportunities.

Nicolo Barella

A core part of Conte’s Scudetto winning Inter side who often makes dangerous runs forward into the 18-yard box while also able to move the ball forward for his team whether through a dribble or pass.

Federico Chiesa

Arguably Juventus’ best performer in a disappointing season with 9 goals and 9 assists in 33 games in Serie A. A fixture on the right-hand side for Italy expect him to be a threat to opposing fullbacks and in the penalty area.

Dejan Kulusevski

Praised by his Juventus teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, the 21 year old Swede played in all but 3 of Juventus’ Serie A games and is a major source for creativity for any team he plays for being a danger in the penalty area while also creating chances with ease – he can be a major factor in how far Sweden progress.

Gerard Moreno

Look out for the Villareal striker who scored 23 goals with 7 assists in 33 La Liga games this season in addition to 7 more goals in 12 Europa League games. Coming off a strong season with Villarreal, Gerard Moreno is one to watch for the Spanish and is likely a better option than Alvaro Morata to start up top.

Karim Benzema

Not much needs to be said here other than the fact that Benzema’s fine form this season for Real Madrid saw French coach Didier Deschamps call him back up to the national side after saying he would not call back Benzema to the national side after a 5-year absence. Expect Real Madrid striker who scored 23 goals with 9 assists in 34 La Liga games this season to make a huge impact on his national team.

Phil Foden

One of the standouts of Manchester City’s Premier League triumph, Phil Foden is a creative spark for any side he plays for with the ability to create chances for his teammates while also be on the receiving end on those chances in the 18-yard box. Expectations are high for what the 21-year-old has to offer with England after such a strong club campaign.

Mason Mount

Chelsea’s Player of the Year, Mount is in line for a starting spot with England and coming off such a strong club campaign, just like Phil Foden, watch out for him to be a potential stand out for England this year with his creative ability.

Roman Yaremchuk

17 goals and 6 assists in 28 games for Gent who finished 5th in the Belgian First Division. Should Ukraine make a run as dark horses, Yaremchuk will likely play a key role.

Viktor Tsyhankov

A 23-year-old Ukrainian winger who scored 12 goals and 4 assists in 20 games for Kiev this season. 12 goals in 20 are very good numbers for a winger and he is another one to watch should Ukraine open eyes this summer.

Yusuf Yazici

Going unnoticed due to the presence of Yilmaz, Demiral, Calhanoglu and others, Yazici is a 24-year-old attacking midfielder for Lille with an eye to break lines and push the ball forward. Expect him to show up should Turkey make a run.

Glen Kamara

Although Finland is not expected to last long in the tournament, Glen Kamara was a fixture in Steven Gerrard’s title winning Rangers team this season. Keep an eye on the defensive midfielder who could impress although his team are not expected to.

Ruslan Malinovskyi

After playing in 36 games for Serie A 3rd place finishers Atalanta, Malinovskyi scored 8 goals and 12 assists which are decent numbers for a winger. Without doubt he is a dangerous player who will create many chances after progressing the ball forward. With him, Tsyhankov and Yaremchuk, Ukraine could make a run.

Games You Have to Watch:

- England vs. Scotland – Football’s oldest rivalry

- Scotland vs. Czech Republic – A potential 3rd place decider which matters

- France vs. Germany – Because all Group F matches must be seen

- Germany vs. Portugal – Because, it’s Group F!

- France vs. Portugal – Again.. Group F. These are going to be intense

- Turkey vs. Switzerland – Two potential dark horses in a likely a 2nd place decider

- Austria vs. Ukraine – Group C is closer than most think, again two dark horses facing off

- Netherlands vs. Ukraine – De Boer’s poorly led Dutch against a dangerous Ukraine

- Spain vs. Sweden – A team that struggles to score against a defensively solid team

Predictions

After much back and forth, overthinking and analysis these predictions were made. There are still many ties that I am indecisive about that can go any way. But I roughly think the tournament may shape up along these lines.