Euro 2024’s first quarter-final is set to stage a clash of European football giants, as the hosts look to be the first team to stop brilliant Spain.
Germany bested Group A, thanks to super-sub Niklas Füllkrug’s injury time equaliser against Switzerland. After a shaky last sixteen win over Denmark, the hosts are two games away from their first major final appearance in ten years.
Meanwhile Spain left little to doubt in the group of death, with two impressive victories against Croatia and Italy, earning the luxury of a full squad rotation – excluding Aymeric Laporte – in their last group game against Albania. They managed to run through Georgia in the last sixteen.
Head to Head
Both sides emphasise possession of the ball, to be able to get the best out of their brilliant attacking players:
- Germany has the 2nd highest ratio of average possession with 65%, while Spain is tied with England at the 3rd place with 59%.
- Germany is ranked 3rd in most passes played in the tournament with 2573, while Spain is just one behind with 2416.
- Germany has the highest pass accuracy in the tournament with 91.6%, while Spain is in 2nd place with 90.5%.
- Germany has the highest passing accuracy inside the opposition’s half with 87.1%, while Spain is in 2nd place with 84.9%.
- Spain is ranked 3rd in touches inside the opposition box with 128, while Germany is in 5th place with 126.
- Spain has the most shots in the tournament with 61, 30 of them finding the target, while Germany is 2nd with 54, finding the target on 29 occasions.
- Germany have scored the most goals in the tournament with 10, while Spain is ranked 2nd with just one less.
Nagelsmann’s Strategy / Battle For Possession
While Spain is expected to commit further to their possession-based style of play, Julian Nagelsmann has two strategies in front of him. He either:
- Might find inspiration from his days at RB Leipzig and construct his strategy on shock presses and more direct football
- Or get some encouragement from the fact that Spain is among the worst at the tournament at winning ground duels, with a success rate of just 46%, and look to dominate possession through his side’s physical prowess and tenacity.
Spain’s Chance Creation Through The Flanks And Electric Wingers
Germany’s full-backs are crucial for their on-ball play. Through the freedom that Toni Kroos creates by dropping near the centre-backs, Germany’s left back is tasked with pushing forward to stretch the opposition’s defensive line, while Joshua Kimmich provides width or tucks inside, depending on the present situation.
Yet the duo’s progressive actions might play right into Spain’s hands.
Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have absolutely cruised throughout the tournament and they might prove too much for Germany’s exploring full-backs.
Spain’s right flank, consisting of Dani Carvajal, Pedri and Lamine Yamal, possesses all the tools to expose Germany’s lopsidedness.
Another example is from their last sixteen contest against Georgia:
Denmark were afforded similar spaces to exploit in their last sixteen contest against Germany.
Nico Schlotterbeck was picked while Jonathan Tah served his suspension on the sidelines against Denmark. If Nagelsmann decides to introduce further precautions, Schlotterbeck’s impressive showings might earn him a spot in the starting line-up, taking into consideration some shaky displays from the German left-backs.
Germany’s Aerial Prowess
Spain’s defensive line, consisting of Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte in the centre and Dani Carvajal and Marc Cucurella on the flanks, are not the most physical or sound in the air, yet they conceded no goals from an opposition player: Le Normand the only player to score past Unai Simon or David Raya.
With the presence that Kai Havertz, super-sub Niklas Füllkrug and their towering, athletic centre-backs bring, aerial play might benefit Germany.
Croatia’s crisp movement against Spain in their opening game of the tournament might also inspire.
Spaces Behind Spain’s High Defensive Line
Pressing high is one of the essential philosophies of Spain’s play, which will leave spaces for Germany’s precise passers to exploit and their athletic forwards to run into.
As Germany are capable passers of the ball, it’s more than likely that they will find the opportunity to pick out forward runners behind Spain’s high line.
The business end of the tournament is upon us and no doubt that this game will provide a classic, with the two best teams set to clash.
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