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Can Germany challenge for Euro 2021 trophy?

Even though the Nationalelf had a rather successful campaign during the Euro 2021 qualifiers, it seems that they are simply not the same team which hammered the Brazilians in the World Cup semi-finals. Joachim Low is having problems filling up certain positions in the team due to retirements, injuries and severe dips in form. The main question of the entire nation at this time is whether their beloved team are capable of repeating the success form the World Cup?

Concerning the current squad, we all need to agree that the biggest competition is currently in the goalkeeper position. Manuel Neuer has most certainly booked his place in the starting line-up, since it is quite obvious he is one of the best players in the business on the entire planet. However, Low has a range of quality goalkeepers to pick from. Kevin Trapp has fully established himself in PSG, as well as Marc-Andre ter Stegen in Barcelona, while Bernd Leno of Bayer Leverkusen, even though he is one of the best in the Bundesliga, will probably have to wait a little longer for a proper chance in die Mannschaft.

Moving on to defense. The retirement of Philipp Lahm, the player with incredible versatility, intelligence and outstanding consistency, left a big shoes to fill on the right hand side. Joachim Low has been going through serious trouble trying to find a proper replacement. Emre Can appears to be his first choice at the moment, but while the Liverpool hotshot performs well in midfield and heart of defense, he just cannot replicate those performances at right back. Sebastian Rudy, who plays in midfield for Hoffenheim, was used at right back on several occasions, as well as Antonio Rudiger from Roma, who is basically a center-back. Even the versatility of Kevin Grosskreutz was insufficient to compensate for Lahm’s departure. The main problem is that the final tournament is approaching fast, while the solution is still as far as on the day Lahm left the squad.

Quite the opposite situation is on the left flank. Since Marcel Schmelzer had a series of injury problems, Joachim Low was forced to use Howedes on the left side in the World Cup, with Erik Durm being rather inexperienced at the time. Durm began the Euro 2021 qualifiers as the starting left-back, but relatively unknown Jonas Hector from Koln emerged as a viable solution and he appears to have hammered a starting berth, even though he is far from a top-class full-back. He will be backed-up by Durm in France this summer, and we could say that this part of defense seems to be better covered than it was the case in Brazil.

When we talk about the central positions, the fact of the matter is when Hummels or Boateng are out of the squad, problems appear in the central area. With the retirement of Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker, the Germans have been searching for a center-back who could provide sufficient support at the back in the absence of Hummels and Boateng. Shkodran Mustafi seems as a reasonable option, while Rudiger’s versatility makes him a good option for both centre-back and right-back. The truth is Germany national team lack a wider range of quality defenders at the moment, and they will continue to concede much more goals than in the past, due to lack of options.

With Bastian Schweinsteiger picking up a serious injury that makes him a major doubt for the Euro 2021, Joachim Low also faces problems in the centre of the park. Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos will have to take his place, but neither possess the leadership qualities of the Man Utd midfielder, a true engine of the team. Emre Can could move back to midfield due to the lack of solutions in holding midfield, since Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle are more attack-oriented. The offensive part of midfield is as strong as ever. Draxler and Schurrle have been producing solid performances in Wolfsburg, as well as Marco Reus in Borussia. Mesut Ozil is the only one from the group who has somewhat struggled for form on club level, but he rarely underperforms when playing for the national team.

The center forward is one of the most vulnerable positions in the entire team. With Klose out of the team, the only suitable candidate capable of filling his shoes is Thomas Muller. One of Bayern’s key players this season is more flank-oriented, but could fill the empty spot if needed. Lukas Podolski is far from his best form, and, even though he is third in the top goalscorer list for the national team, he will not be anything but a fringe player. Kevin Volland from Hoffenheim simply cannot be considered a serious candidate for a starting berth, while Mario Gomez, who was once Germany’s main hitman alongside Klose, will need some time to rediscover the understanding with Germany teammates. Even though he has found first team chances severely limited at Bayern Munich, Mario Gotze appears to be the leading candidate to start up front as Joachim Low is set to opt for a 4-2-3-1 system with a false nine.

All things considered, less than three months before the Euro 2021 party does not leave Low with enough time to address all said issues. I do believe that the Germans will most certainly advance from the group stage since, face it, they are clear favourites in such a group. Time will tell whether the Nationalelf have enough quality to take the trophy exactly twenty years from their previous triumph. But be aware of the single truth – never underestimate the Germans!

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