Germany recalls its best moments: opens the Eurocup by sweeping Scotland

THE Euro 2024 , a competition full of football stars and powerhouses, who aspire to become the best on the continent. The beginnings could not be more encouraging for the event organizer, who needs to return to his glory days. Germany had no respect for Scotland. In Munich, the locals swept aside their rival by winning by a resounding 5-1, in a compelling performance that excites us for the future.

As the host country, the German cast has a dual responsibility, not only not to compete at home, but also to to redress the course it has followed in the recent past. Various failures accompanied The Mannschaft during the last major events: eliminated in the group stage of the last two World Cups and eliminated in the round of 16 of the last European Cup . This does not fit with the rich history of the Teutons.

For the same reason, Hansi Flick (the new Barcelona coach) was replaced by Julien Nagelsmann , to give a twist to the selected one. This Friday was only his first official match on the German bench, after numerous friendly matches. This first step was widely approved.

Even the most optimistic German fans would not have predicted a premiere like this. A round match, from start to finish, efficient, with very good play and no suffering in defense. From the start of the match, the proposition of the duel was clear. As Germany gained possession and began stringing together passes to create space, Scotland closed with a nice line of five, mostly thinking about their own goal rather than the opposition’s. British resistance lasted 10 minutes.

For your tactical design, Nagelsmann brought together Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gündogan, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Indeed, they were fundamental to the superiority exercised by Germany. In the 10th minute, Wirtz made it 1-0, with a first-class shot from the crescent. It all came from an impeccable forward change made by Kroos, who retired after the tournament. Then, in the 19th minute, it was 2-0 thanks to Musiala, with a powerful finish. The key was the filtered ball that Gündogan sent to Kai Havertz, which ultimately ended up in the goal.

The first half of the Germans was full and high flying. He left a rival who didn’t know where he stood in his minimal expression. The difference with Scotland was appalling. Towards the end of the period, a penalty was awarded after a criminal attack on Gündogan, which led to defender Ryan Porteous being sent off. Havertz, who has become the nominal center forward (despite not being a natural 9), runs for 3-0. With 335 passes and 69% possession, the home team showed dominance beyond any number, but directly from what was exhibited on the pitch.

With a 45′ lead and one more man, the duel was doomed to failure. A rout was more predictable than any reaction from the Scots, who did not worry Manuel Neuer. Nagelsmann started to make changes, one of them being striker Niklas Füllkrug. The Borussia Dortmund “tank”, much more reference number 9 than Havertz, widened the score in the 68th minute with a powerful shot. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn suffered throughout the match. Füllkrug himself converted one more, but it was disallowed for offside.

Surprisingly, the handover came in the 87th minute, thanks to an own goal from Rüdiger, after a set ball. In the epilogue, Scotland’s first penalty shootout occurred, which resulted in a score by chance. There was more missing. In added time, Emre Can, who came on late in place of the injured Pavlovic, scored the fifth goal with a close shot. The icing on the cake.

Germany presents its credentials a Euro Cup which has several candidates . This Saturday the other match in Group A will take place, between Hungary and Switzerland (9:00 a.m. in Chile). The Swiss team will include Ricardo Rodríguez, a footballer with a Chilean mother.