Euro 24 Quarter-finals: Germany v Spain preview

Venue: MHPArena (Stuttgart)
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
Time: 4 pm

“We will retire Toni Kroos”, said the Spanish and Real Madrid big striker Joselu Mato. Joselu won the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League with Toni for Real Madrid and the striker who was on loan from Espanyol has promised that Spain are ready to send Kroos and Germany home.

This quarter-final tie is a huge one between the best two teams in the tournament. The host Germany has been great while the favourites Spain has been so sensational.

With three titles each in the tournament, these teams are undoubtedly the best in the competition.

Spain has had upper hand over Germany in recent years with La Roja winning 1-0 over Germany in the finals of the 2008 European Cup through Fernando Torres’ exqusite first half strike in Vienna at the Ernst Happel Stadion. He latched on to Xavi’s beautiful pass and chipped the ball delightfully over Jens Lehmann.

In the 2010 World Cup semi-finals at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Barcelona centre-back Carles Puyol’s thumping header from Xavi’s corner defeated Germany 1-0 once again.

These were games Spain showed that they were ready to do business and if they can repeat the 2008 and 2010 performances, La Roja can win once again.

On Friday afternoon, the game will be won from the midfield with Spain and Germany whoever will be able to dominate in midfield will surely have the advantage.

Rodri v Kroos, Andrich v Pedri, Gundogan v Ruiz: who will come on top?

The tournament has been dominated by youngsters as they have shown immense potentials that European football has great future.

Jamal Musiala has scored three goals for Germany. Nico Williams has given every defence he has come across a hell of a time. 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has dazzled so far for Spain. A lot is expected from these young forwards.

Spain has won all the 4 games they have played in Euro 2024 as Germany has recorded 3 victories with one draw.

This game is a difficult one to predict because there’s nothing much to separate them. Germany has a home advantage while Spain has great momentum. It won’t be surprising if the game is decided on penalties.

Germany Probable XI

4-2-3-1

Neuer (GK)

Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum (DF)

Andrich, Kroos, (CM)

Gundogan (AM)

Musiala, Haverts, Fullkrug

Spain probable XI

Simon (GK)

Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella (DF)

Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz (MF)

Yamal, Williams, Morata (FW)