A “feared opponent” for Germany

Will EURO football host Germany be the first team to storm into the round of 16? “If we take the energy from the 5:1 win against Scotland with us, then we’ll be fine,” said Dortmund captain Emre Can, who was nominated late, ahead of today’s showdown (6 p.m., ORF 1, ARD) with Hungary in Stuttgart. “It’s going to be a completely different story,” warned number one goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of the FIFA world ranking 26 team, which has earned a reputation as the DFB selection’s “feared opponent” in recent years.

Not a single one of the last three duels went to Germany. In 2021, at the pan-continental EURO, Leon Goretzka, who was not considered this time, only scored the 2-2 in Munich in the 84th minute. If this goal had not been scored, the three-time champions would have had to say goodbye after the group stage. Can has already repressed the result, he wrongly spoke of a victory. “You can see that Hungary is an uncomfortable opponent who is difficult to play against,” said the 30-year-old.

Germany was also unable to achieve complete success in the 2022 UEFA Nations League: after a 1-1 draw in Budapest, they suffered a 0-1 defeat in Leipzig. It is clear that the Hungarians are expecting something this time too. They have to, because they are under pressure after their 1-3 opening defeat against Switzerland. “We know that we have to improve,” stressed former FC Salzburg and RB Leipzig legionnaire Dominik Szoboszlai, who is currently under contract with Liverpool FC.

But one thing is clear: the German team cannot be compared to the one of the past few years. National coach Julian Nagelsmann has brought ideas and momentum to the game. A wave of euphoria is sweeping through the country. “We have a lot of quality. If we use what we can do, we can beat anyone,” says Can, expressing pure self-confidence, which is also due to high efficiency.

Against Scotland, every fourth shot was a direct hit. The trio of Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz are swirling in attack. In the center of midfield, Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan, who escaped injury-free after Ryan Porteous’s brutal foul in game one, have control of the ball and the brilliant ideas. In contrast to 2021, it should not be a nail-biter. “We want to win the group,” announced sporting director Rudi Völler.