SCOTLAND will be hoping for a huge upset tonight in Munich when they face hosts Germany in the opening match of the Euro 2024 European Championship.
As hosts and former champions, Germany are clear favourites to win tonight, but Scotland had a brilliant qualifying campaign and cannot be dismissed.
The Tartan Army’s qualifying campaign included victories over three-time winners Spain, Erling Haaland’s Norway and Georgia.
The first manager to guide Scotland to back-to-back European Championships, Steve Clarke, has built a settled squad and developed a system that brings out the best in the likes of Aston Villa captain John McGinn and Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, who scored seven goals in eight qualifying appearances.
Germany will bank on a major tournament pedigree that boasts four World Cup titles and three European Championship trophies, although their last continental triumph was in 1996.
Tonight at the magnificent Allianz Arena, Julian Nagelsmann will plot to get Germany off to a good start in order to avoid their recent slump in major tournaments.
After crashing out in the group stage in two of the last three major tournaments, including the Qatar 2022 World Cup barely 18 months ago, Germany will hope for a repeat of the 2006 World Cup when as hosts they reached the semi-finals.
Former Bayern Munich manager Nagelsmann did not start positively as Germany coach after replacing Hansi Flick last year, but victories against France and the Netherlands in March have restored some confidence in the team.
“When I look into the players’ eyes, I can see they want a home win in our first game. I’m really looking forward to it,” Nagelsmann said in his preview.
“It’s a very nice feeling. I’m a little nervous myself. It’s a big tournament. It’s a special moment to be able to lead the team and lead the country. Scotland are a very good team with a lot of flair. They play a lot of crosses and are very dangerous. Their players give everything and throw themselves into every challenge – that’s the Scottish mentality.”
Nagelsmann could call on world-class talent like goalkeeper Manuel Nueur, defenders Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger, as well as midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Jamal Musiala in his quest for a fast start and triumphant finish to the tournament.
On his part, Scotland boss Clarke might not have Germany’s riches in terms of personnel but he he has at his disposal players with grit and heart, including McTominay, Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson and McGinn.
“The occasion will be for everybody else. For both sets of coaching staff and players, it’s about the game; it’s about how the game pans out,” Clarke said.
“Germany will want to win; we want to win, everyone else can enjoy the occasion. My family’s here. They’re going to enjoy the occasion and hopefully they enjoy the match as well.
“We’ve prepared – we’ve waited a long time to be ready for this. We’ve worked hard in preparation and hopefully you’ll see the results of that on the pitch.”
