Germany and Scotland are set to collide in the opening fixture of the 2024 UEFA European Championships, taking place in Germany on Friday, June 14, 2024.
The Germans have not been mighty impressive recently as they have struggled to dominate and win games like they used to, managing just two wins in their last five outings. Scotland is in disappointing form themselves as they have lost that spark that saw them impress for the better part of the qualifying stages.
Germany secured automatic qualification for the UEFA Euro Championship, one of the significant benefits the tournament hosts generally enjoy. Without the burden of qualification matches, the Germans have resorted to friendly matches in preparation for the game set to kick off in June 2024. So far, The German national team looks to be in shambles as they have failed to find their mojo all year. The German machines have played eleven friendly games so far in preparation for the Euro finals, managing just 3 wins and 2 draws while suffering 6 losses.
Germany kicked off their Euro preparations against Peru in a friendly match that saw the German machines coast to a routine 2-0 win over la Blanquirroja with German center-forward Füllkrug bagging two first-half goals. However, the Germans could not gather any momentum as the next five matches which followed their win over Peru, saw them manage one draw and four losses. A narrow 3-2 loss against Belgium was followed by a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Ukraine. Further, 1-0 and 2-0 defeats against Poland and Columbia respectively were capped by a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Japan, a defeat which saw the then-German national team coach Hansi Flick relieved of his duties as manager.
The German machines received a new lease of life after the sacking of Hansi Flick as a dogged display against 2022 World Cup finalists France saw them triumph 2-1. Thomas Müller put Germany in front just four minutes into the game after smashing home a cross from teammate Henrichs. A poor pass from Jules Kounde saw Havertz intercept and slide in a superb pass for Leroy Sane who was able to keep his composure and curl the ball into the far corner of the net in the 87th minute before Griezmann grabbed a consolation for France from the penalty spot. Germany made back-to-back wins for the first time in a while as they won 3-1 against the USA; however, a 2-2 draw against Mexico brought back familiar feelings of disappointment for the German fans and subsequent defeats against Turkiye and Austria have not helped matters.
Scotland on the other hand, saddled with the responsibility of earning their place at the Euro finals, were very impressive at the start of their qualifying campaign with their captain Scott McTominay proving to be a very vital player as he turned up with fundamental goals for the team all through the qualifying campaign. A blistering run of form saw Scotland win the first five games of their qualifying campaign in a qualifying group of Cyprus, Spain, Norway, and Georgia.
Scotland’s Euro qualifying campaign kicked off against Cyprus, a game Scotland won quite comfortably with a 3-0 result as John McGin put Scotland up in the first half before McTominay’s late second-half brace. An impressive 2-0 win against group favorites Spain followed with Scotland captain Scott McTominay starring again as he grabbed himself another brace. Further victories against Norway, Georgia, and then Cyprus again put Scotland in pole position to qualify for the UEFA Euro finals as their place at the tournament was all but guaranteed.
However, after a sublime start to their qualifying campaign, Scotland has suffered a dip in form which has seen them go winless in their last five matches, recording 3 losses and 2 draws. This disappointing run of form started when they lost to England in a friendly game in September as the Three Lions came out 3-1 victors. Scotland suffered three consecutive defeats as they lost to Spain in the reverse fixture of their qualifying campaign before a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of France in a friendly match. Scotland ended their qualifying campaign without a win as they played out a 2-2 draw against Georgia before battling a 3-3 thriller against Norway. Their consistency in the opening stages of the qualifiers was enough to see them through to the Euro finals.
Head-to-head records show that Germany and Scotland have played two matches, with Germany winning on both occasions, scoring 5 goals in the process, while Scotland scored 3 goals.
Match tickets
This mouth-watering clash at the Allianz Arena in Munich is set to kick off on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 21:00 GMT.
Given the magnitude of the game, getting Germany vs Scotland tickets for this intriguing tournament opener could take a bit of time. Hence, you are advised to check ticket reselling sites should they be expected to sell out on each nation’s official ticketing websites.
Team news
Line-ups
The German national team has many talents playing their trades in different top football clubs across Europe. Germany’s new manager, Julian Nagelsmann, will indeed have a headache selecting from this pool of skills in the hopes of putting up a performance worthy of their history at the tournament.
Germany: Ter Stegen, Tah, Hummels, Rudiger, Gosens, Havertz, Musiala, Gundongan, Wirtz, Sane, Füllkrug
Scotland is still in talent and will be looking to regain that brilliant run of form that saw them dominate the early stages of their group qualifying campaign.
Scotland: Clark, Patterson, Hendry, McKenna, Taylor, McTominay, McGregor, Armstrong, McGinn, McClean, Brown
Prediction
In recent games, Germany and Scotland have not been impressive as they have struggled to grind out results. Germany will be looking to make a statement of intent and impress the home fans while Scotland will be looking to rediscover their edge.
Germany 2-1 Scotland
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