At first glance Group A at this summer’s Euros looks pretty straightforward, even predictable.
Hosts Germany will go through the gears, benefit from a terrific front three and their imperious tournament pedigree and come out on top.
Switzerland meanwhile will huff and puff, their ‘Golden Generation’ now a little rusty and in their thirties. But with quality throughout their team the Nati will have the beating of Scotland and Hungary and comfortably secure their progress to the knock-outs.
As for the Scots a long history of valiant failure is set to continue though perhaps in this instance finishing as one of the best third-placed teams might offer a route to the last 16.
Then there’s Hungary whose narrative will mirror that of Scotland’s. Showing flashes. Having moments. But ultimately all in vain.
That’s how it all seems at first glance at least. Only then we delve a little deeper and entirely different predictions emerge.
Indeed, the more these teams are assessed, the more it becomes apparent that Group A is one of the most fascinating and uncertain groups across the whole competition.
Germany
Without the need to qualify due to hosting the tournament, Die Mannschaft embarked on a succession of friendlies post-Qatar and as one disappointing defeat bled into another it soon became acutely clear that this usually efficient machine was all-but-broken; that their World Cup exit at the group stage was no outlier.
A 4-1 thumping courtesy of Japan last September saw Hansi Flick depart, not of his own volition, and in his place came Julian Nagelsmann, a young coach with a point to prove after being unfairly jettisoned by Bayern Munich.
Yet still the poor results came, that was until a successful double-header in March against France and Holland finally brought some respite as well as hope that their darkest days are now behind them.
The return of Toni Kroos, who has reversed his decision to retire from the international stage, has played a big part in this turnaround in mentality, the veteran midfielder allowing Ilkay Gundogan to play more advanced, scheming and pressing in between the youthful brilliance of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
The latter has been sensational this season for title-winning Bayer Leverkusen.
In recent games too, Kai Havertz has been deployed as a false nine to good effect, a role he has excelled in for Arsenal.
With this attacking quartet the Germans should have enough to top Group A but if so they can expect their path to be crossed by Spain or Italy in the quarters.
It is only then we’ll see to what extent Nagelsmann has transformed a side that has exited the last three major tournaments early doors.
If it all clicks incidentally, Havertz’s Euro top scorer odds tempt at 33/1.
Star Man
At 33, Ilkay Gundogan just keeps on getting better and better, statistically Barcelona’s second-best performer in 2023/24 after inspiring Manchester City to a famous treble in his Premier League swansong.
His sharp, quick passes and darting movement sparks his teams into life in the final third and it’s all done so intelligently.
Switzerland
You have to almost feel sorry for the Swiss.
For years their Golden Generation made promises it couldn’t keep, too often let down by a conservative approach that seemed to be part of their DNA.
In Yann Sommer, Ricardo Rodrguez, Granit Xhaka, and Xherdan Shaqiri they had the makings of a fantastic side that distinctly lacked a cutting edge, and though some memorable World Cup adventures were had, this limited them. Moreover, it felt fated to always be so.
Only then, Zeki Amdouni came along, scoring goals for fun in qualifying, and with Breel Embolo returning from a long-term lay-off, suddenly the Nati possess an attacking threat capable of making the difference in tight contests, games they would have previously drawn.
How unfortunate therefore that just when their missing piece is found, a usually solid Switzerland has begun to ship goals in at the back on a regular basis.
Just three clean sheets in ten throughout qualifying tells a sorry tale, with three conceded at home to Belarus and even Andorra finding a way through.
It’s a costly flaw that has resulted in a string of underwhelming results and subsequently coach Murat Yakin’s job is on the line, with confidence low.
A loss to Hungary in their opening game could see things spiral quickly and even lead to a spell in the wilderness for a nation that once hinted at greatness.
Star Man
Individually Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji are fine footballers, blessed with every attribute needed in an international centre-back.
As a pairing though they have routinely been found wanting, and with Akanji being the superior of the two in terms of talent it falls on the Manchester City man to steady the ship and steer his team-mates back to being clean sheet merchants once again.
If they remain porous, the runner-up spot in Group A is primed for a hungry Scotland or a Hungarian side who are much more dangerous than their Euro 2024 odds suggest.
Scotland
It feels like a long time ago now since Scotland were on a crest of a wave, reaching the Euros against all expectation after winning five of their first six qualifiers. Those victories included a dismantling of Spain and a late bettering of Haaland and company in Oslo.
From that juncture, the results have turned for the Scots and though this can partly be excused away, with their main objective achieved, heavy losses in France and Holland painfully highlighted the shortcomings within Steve Clarke’s side, while a home defeat to Northern Ireland saw them labouring without any invention throughout.
Still, this is a squad sprinkled with real quality, with a midfield well-stocked with Premier League fare and captain Andy Robertson a cut above most, thriving in a more advanced role down the left for his country.
Furthermore, they will be boosted by a boisterous Tartan Army and though they coped admirably well as table leaders in qualifying, this is a collective who operate best as underdogs.
Star Man
A Champions League winner and unquestionably one of the finest left-backs in Premier League history, Robertson must take on the mantle of being Scotland’s only bona fide superstar.
The Liverpool defender is of course a very different player to Gareth Bale but we’ve seen in recent years via Wales’ exploits the impact it makes on team-mates when their best player leads by example on the biggest of stages.
Hungary
It is solely a historical habit to regard the Magyars as the minnows of this group. In truth, they are more than capable of accompanying Germany out of it before springing a surprise in the knock-outs.
Most persuasively, this is a team unbeaten in 14, a run that covers the entirety of their qualifying campaign that consigned Serbia – decent and dangerous – to playing catch-up throughout.
Moreover, with Marco Rossi at the helm for six years he has managed to forge a club mentality within the national side. Couple that with a consistency of tactics so that every player knows his job and what we have here is a ‘dark horse’, one that, let’s not forget, walloped England 4-0 away less than two years ago.
Seek out familiar names in this Hungarian squad and only a couple come to the fore, but their main strength is being greater than the sum of their parts. And in tournament football that can just about lead anywhere.
Star Man
Dominik Szoboszlai is not only Hungary’s captain at the tender age of 23. He is also the first household name to emerge from the country for generations as well as being the Magyar’s principle playmaker.
If he copes with all of that immense pressure, and influences proceedings, as he has shown he can do for Liverpool this term, then the Bale-effect mentioned above applies here too. However, you won't find too many punters backing Szoboszlai to defy Euro 2024 top scorer tips this summer.
Key Matches In Group A
Germany versus Scotland may be the competition’s first knockings, and come attached with an opening ceremony, but it’s the contest 24 hours later that intrigues.
Pitched on a relatively equal footing, and with similar aspirations, whoever wins out of Hungary and Switzerland will make a sizable early imprint on the group.
The Magyar’s meeting with Scotland is another that catches the eye. There is every chance that both teams will still be invested and with the Swiss taking on Germany all could be to play for.
Euro 2024 Group A Fixtures
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14th June, 8pm – Germany v Scotland
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15th June, 2pm – Hungary v Switzerland
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19th June, 5pm – Germany v Hungary
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19th June, 8pm – Scotland v Switzerland
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23rd June, 8pm – Switzerland v Germany
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23rd June, 8pm – Scotland v Hungary
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
