Euro 2024: Germany may book a spot in the next round with victory over Hungary on Wednesday
Germany thrashed Scotland 5-1, breaking the record for the biggest opening win in men’s Euro history, whilst Hungary fell to a 3-1 loss against Switzerland. The hosts can confirm qualification to the knockout stages with a win as they take on a Hungary side with a point to prove in Stuttgart.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side comfortably dispatched a poor Scotland side in Munich in the opening fixture, with a statement attacking display that confirms their place as one of the strong favourites for the tournament.
Whilst Hungary’s disappointing defeat to Switzerland will have damaged hopes of qualification, Marco Rossi will take plenty of positives from a match where his side created gilt-edged chances to come away with at least a point but costly mistakes saw the game run away from them.
Just three years ago, Hungary drew 2-2 with Germany in a hard-fought fixture at Euro 2020 but this ‘die Mannschaft’ side looks reinvigorated and the attacking talent at their disposal makes them strong favourites to seal qualification at the MHPArena.
In what was almost a perfect victory for Nagelsmann’s side, the hosts picked up no knocks or injuries against Scotland, despite Ilkay Gundogan being on the receiving end of a reckless tackle from Scotland’s Ryan Porteous. The German captain, fortunately, walked away unscathed and looks set to keep his place in the heart of the midfield.
As for Hungary, they too came away from matchday one without any new injury concerns for Rossi. Midfielder Callum Styles and defender Loïc Négo missed the game against Switzerland due to a lack of fitness and the duo are again unlikely to be in contention to start against Germany.
Germany’s five-star display against Scotland was spearheaded by two of the best-attacking midfielders in world football- Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. The 21-year-old duo began the scoring with two composed finishes, with Wirtz breaking the record becoming the youngest scorer for Germany at a Euros- beating fellow goalscorer Kai Havertz’s record.
After enjoying incredible seasons at Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, the pair have been able to translate their club form to the international stage as they ran rings around the Scottish defence and looked like a constant threat throughout.
If Germany are to go all the way in this tournament, you can be certain that the performances of Musiala and Wirtz will be at the centre of their success.
Hungary can cause an upset if they get the ball to Dominik Szoboszlai and ensure he influences the game. Aged just 23, the Liverpool midfielder became the youngest captain in the tournament’s history when he led his country out against Switzerland.
In their first game, it was Szoboszlai’s accurate cross that Barnabas Vargas headed in from close range to spark a stronger second half performance from Hungary, but it was not enough in the end. His goals and assists were crucial in qualifying and another inspiring performance will be needed to cause an upset in this Group A clash.
Julian Nagelsmann stated his view on how Hungary’s loss to Switzerland could influence tomorrow’s fixture: “The Hungarians have a bit more pressure than us because of the result so maybe they have to play a little more on the offense because otherwise they could be eliminated from the tournament already.”
Nagelsmann added that his side will “play more or less the same” as they did against Scotland and that they are prepared to play against a Hungary side that are dangerous from set pieces.
As for Hungary’s manager Marco Rossi, the Italian was respectful towards their in-form opponents but optimistic in his side’s chances of getting a result: “We have to play a perfect match and everyone has to give 100 per cent. We saw in the match against Scotland what this German team is capable of; they dominated their opponent from beginning to end.
“We know what to expect and it will be very difficult, but I hope we can grab a point tomorrow and keep our hopes of advancing from the group. “
