Wednesday, June 9th 2021
EM preview: Group C
Watch out for the Guardiola Klopp of the East!
By Tobias Nordmann
On June 11, 2021, the EM 2020 starts with a one-year delay. The tournament, which takes place across Europe, will be played for the first time with 24 teams. From a total of six groups (A to F), up to three countries can qualify for the round of 16. Little is clear before this European Championship, but one thing is certain: The final round with the two semi-finals and the final will be played from July 6, 2021 at London’s Wembley Stadium. Before that there is a wild ride for some nations with venues between Seville and Baku. We look at a group every day. Today on group C. And there two legends ensure surprising success.
Here’s a player to watch out for:
It could be very simple. Just keep an eye out for David Alaba. You know him from FC Bayern. And we will hear a lot more about him. Because he is moving to Europe’s top crisis club Real Madrid. And the club is always interesting anyway. Just like the situation at Alaga: Undisputed in Munich. At Real too (still, just kidding). In Austria, however, not so much. Because expectations are high. Because at Alaba, as a world-class player, you assume that he makes every team better, makes them really good. However, that doesn’t always work in Austria. Also because its role is not clearly defined. Central defender? Midfield strategist? Clearer? Or also an offensive winger? Well, Franco Foda changes a lot in the choice of line-up. Which he is resented in the country.
To get back to the topic, you should definitely pay attention to Goran Pandew. The elders of you will remember his great days as a striker in Serie A, especially in Lazio. The less elderly, those capable of suffering, could know Pandew as the man who plunged Uli Hoeneß into an unknown speechlessness as an RTL expert who destroyed a faint hope for a good performance of the German national team at the EM. On March 31st, the greatest legend of North Macedonian football hit the DFB-Elf. He had led North Macedonia to victory. One of the major inconveniences in a not exactly poor time of inconvenience for the German national team. And maybe Pandew is writing an even bigger story at the pre-retirement age of 37 years. Maybe he shoots the big group underdog in the knockout round.
You should definitely know:
In case you didn’t know: Under certain circumstances, the third party in the group may advance in this inflated continental competition. Four out of six will make it. And that is definitely an opportunity for North Macedonia. Because the situation is supposedly clear. The Netherlands are the strongest team in the group. As usual, the Elftal brings outstanding individual players, especially Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Matthijs de Ligt. But you also know: The Dutch don’t always have the best nerves. The Austrians are not bad either. Not just because of David Alaba. But also because of Leipzig’s captain Marcel Sabitzer or because of Frankfurt’s verbally and physically tough defender Martin Hinteregger.
Well, what you definitely need to know: Ukraine is a secret favorite. Not just in a group! And that is largely due to Andrij Shevchenko, the national hero. The former AC Milan superstar is now responsible for the team as a coach and has freed them from their dependence on the aging stars around Andrei Jarmolenko and Yevgeny Konoplyanka. Shevchenko has formed a collective that plays technically good football, but is also tactically clever. In the “Sport Bild” goalkeeper Andrej Pyatow raves about his coach: “His approach is similar to that of top European coaches like Josep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp.” Fast, short passes, clear roles and tasks are the keywords. Tikitaka instead of counterattacking and fighting. That’s how it looks. Key players for the Ukrainians are Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City and Bergamos Ruslan Malinovskyi. They determine the rhythm of the game, they create a good balance between offensive and defensive. And maybe they are actually directing Ukraine into a little football miracle (see below).
Don’t miss this game:
If you’re someone who shuns the surprise, then just look at Austria versus the Netherlands. You probably know most of the players from the Alpine region from the Bundesliga. From quite important roles. Here the potential to be overwhelmed by unknown things is rather low. You might know a few players less with the Dutch, but you also know what to expect: technically beautiful, offensive football. And with Wout Weghorst, we also know that, there is a man in the front who can refine the beauty of the ball circulation with merciless final strength. The fact that Wolfsburg was only the fourth best (foreign) scorer of the past season in the Bundesliga with 20 goals, behind Robert Lewandowski (41), André Silva (28) and Erling Haaland (27), you have to let it sink in first.
For all the brave who love risk, we recommend Ukraine against North Macedonia. Technically good football, strong at fighting, passionate. At least that’s how we expect the game. And maybe on June 17th at 3 p.m. it will be much more than third place in the group? Little taste: Ukrainian defender Sergiy Kryvtsow says: “The European Championship is not an excursion for us. We beat the European champions Portugal and Spain. The final is definitely within the realm of possibility for us.” And just as a (painful) reminder: North Macedonia has defeated Germany!
Here is played:
In Bucharest and Amsterdam. The “Arena Nationala” in the Romanian capital could theoretically have offered space for 56,000 spectators at the EM. Most recently, however, due to the corona, only 25 percent occupancy was promised. Theoretically, 50 percent are also possible, provided the situation allows. The stadium was built by a German company and hosted the Europa League final in 2012. Bitter for Bucharest: The Romanians did not qualify for the finals. The Dutch have it better. Or not? The festival, which the fans in Orange usually celebrate at home, are hardly possible due to Corona. After all, the government has loosened the restrictions to the extent that 12,000 spectators are now allowed into the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax’s home ground. Usually 55,500 fans find their place here.
Now it is your turn!
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