If you want to win the title, sooner or later you have to beat the best - both the Germans and the Spaniards are "consoled" ahead of today's mega-clash in Stuttgart (18 p.m.), in the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
It's not right for neutral fans either - why did this match have to happen so early, even two steps before the final.
The two teams playing the best football in the continental championship meet much earlier than a match of this caliber deserved.
"Furija" delighted with the editions in the group, won the sympathy of the public with the way they played, "Manshaft" may not have been as powerful as Spain, but they cruised well in the Euro, much better than before, and they also have their home field and all the benefits that the organization of the big competition with him.
Spain and Germany are, therefore, according to the majority of bookmakers, as well as the assessment of analysts and statistical houses, currently the two biggest favorites to win the European Championship. What a shame - one of the two great teams will bid farewell to the tournament tonight.
And yet - everyone will enjoy it, and the phrase "final before the final" was never mentioned more than on the eve of today's duel.
- I don't want to offend anyone, but we have the best team in this tournament - said the Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente.
Performances in the group, as well as in most of the round of 16 matches against Georgia, support this claim. His Spain has changed the way they play compared to the previous championships, it is no longer that "boring" Fury that gets lost in endless passes, constantly (often and slowly) circling around the penalty area.
At this Euro, the Spaniards sacrificed possession (on average it is only slightly higher than 50 percent), for direct football, looking for "shortcuts" to the opponent's goal. And when the two revelations of the Euro - super-fast wings, Niko Williams and Lamin Jamal go on the attack, it is not easy for the opposing players, whoever has to defend such attacks. The great Rodri, the reborn Fabian Ruiz in this championship, along with the creative Pedro (there's also Alvaro Morata) create a hellish Spanish attack, fear and trepidation for all opponents, including the Germans.
- We will fight for our goals, but we also know what lies ahead - and that is Germany. It will be a very tight game, that's clear, but we are confident in our game - added De la Fuente.
Germany have not beaten Spain in a major competition for 26 years - since Euro 1988, to be precise, which was played in the same place as now: in Germany. "Furija" eliminated Elf in the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup (1:0), won in the final of the European Championship 2008 (also 1:0), and in 2020 in the League of Nations they won even with 6:0.
A year and a half ago, at the World Cup in Qatar, two teams were in the same group - they drew 1:1.
A resurgent Germany, however, are playing their best tournament in eight years, buoyed by enthusiastic fans dreaming of their first major trophy since 2014.
The Spaniards are slight favorites, but the Germans believe that the "fury" will hit hard for the first time at this Euro.
- We should not hide against Spain - is the message of Ilkay Gundogan, the German trump card.
- As a team we can keep up with them. We also have extreme qualities. I think the Spaniards have more respect for us than they tend to admit in public - adds the Barcelona midfielder.
Gindogan, Muslijala, Wirz (or Sane), the "floating" forward Haverz, with the classic nine Filkrug as an alternative, but also the infallible Toni Kroos who controls the rhythm of the game - it seems that the Germans really have the trump cards to oppose Spain, with a defense that "swallowed" ” only two goals in four matches so far.
- I don't think we have more pressure than usual - says Julian Nagelsman, the coach of the Germans.
- The support and expectations of the fans stimulate us. For me, this kind of pressure is a privilege, as it is for my players.
Probable lineups - Spain (4-2-3-1): Simon - Carvajal, Le Norman, Laporte, Cukurelja - Rodri, Ruiz - Pedri, Williams, Jamal - Morata.
Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer - Kimich, Ridiger, Schlotterbeck, Raum - Andrih, Kroos - Wirz, Gundogan, Musijala - Haverz.
Bonus video:
