Germany-France, whoever wins "gives away" Cristiano Ronaldo. The first finalist for Euro 2016 is the Portugal of the Real Madrid champion, capable of throwing out teammate Bale with one of his headers (the other goal was scored by Nani), for the other we have to wait for the match between the world champions and the hosts. A very high-ranking challenge, not surprisingly renamed by many as the "true" final of this strange European Championship, which offered a two-speed scoreboard.
On the one hand the most titled national teams, on the other the so-called outsiders: and so it happens that a team that has drawn 5 games out of 6 (Portugal in fact) arrives and that much more convincing teams have gone home (including which our Italy).
In any case, Germany-France will be all to be enjoyed, a challenge that, at least from the outset, does not see absolute favourites. On paper, Les Bleus seem to start with a slight advantage: so far they have been able to save energy (Romania, Albania, Switzerland, Ireland and Iceland on their way), moreover they will be pushed by the Marseille crowd, often capable of transforming the Velodrome into a real bedlam .
On the other hand, however, there will be a Germany tested by 120' plus penalties against Italy and, above all, weakened by the absences of Khedira and Gomez (injured) and Hummels (suspended).
“We still face the best team in the world – replied Didier Deschamps. – I expect a balanced challenge, they are used to managing possession but we won't be able to think only of defending ourselves and restarting. We will have to play to the best of our strength, and we will also need the help of the public”.
Lots of respect also from Joachim Low, much more "calm" than on the eve against Italy. “We are excited about the idea of playing in a semifinal – explained the German coach. – The lads needed some time to regain their energy but when you face the host team in loads right away, it's a normal thing”.
A few words while waiting for the field, the only real judge capable of establishing the second finalist of the European Championship. Low, as previously mentioned, will have to do without some very important players, however his 4-2-3-1 will be equally competitive: Neuer in goal, Kimmich, Mustafi, Boateng and Hector in defense, Schweinsteiger and Kroos in defense midfield, Gotze, Ozil and Draxler in the frontline, Muller in attack.
No problem however for Deschamps, strong in a squad without injuries or disqualifications. The transalpine coach will respond with a mirror form to the Germans with Lloris between the posts, Sagna, Rami, Koscielny and Evra in the back, Pogba and Matuidi in the midfield, Sissoko, Griezmann and Payet behind the lone striker Giroud.
If the French seem to be doing better on the field, statistically everything changes: in the 4 previous World Cups (this will be the first match in a European Championship) Les Bleus have won only once (6-3 in 1958) against the 3 German successes ( the last is the 2-0 of 2014). A real curse that makes Low smile and that Deschamps, for his part, hopes instead to overturn. CR7, meanwhile, waits menacingly at the Saint Denis door…
