It’s the first heavyweight clash of Euro 2020 between two of European football’s giants – yet expectations coming into this tournament could not be starker.
France, with impressive depth and a star-studded starting XI, are the favourites to progress in top spot from Group F, particularly after producing the goods on the biggest stage at the World Cup three years ago.
Yet for Germany, who were knocked-out of the group stages in Russia and lost to lowly North Macedonia in March, the usual assumption of progressing to the last-16 isn’t so concrete, especially in a group including defending champions Portugal.
With little room for error in Euro 2020’s ‘group of death’, Sportsmail takes a tactical look at tonight’s mouthwatering clash in Munich.
France’s Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann will be looking to flourish again tonight
Didier Deschamps comes up against Joachim Low in the group of death in Munich tonight
KEY BATTLES
Rudiger & Hummels vs Griezmann & Mbappe
This could be the most important of battles, amid a flurry of stars all over the pitch. The French duo lit up the World Cup with their partnership and were both lethal in front of goal throughout the tournament.
And if Griezmann’s stunning bicycle-kick strike against Bulgaria in their warm-up win is anything to go by, that prolific touch for their country should continue at the Euros.
Then again, not if Antonio Rudiger has his way. The Chelsea defender certainly didn’t mince his words when speaking about his attitude ahead of tonight’s match.
‘Of course, they have good forwards, we have to be ready to win the one-on-one challenges,’ he said.
Antonio Rudiger (L) has already thrown down the gauntlet ahead of tonight’s showdown
‘Just be disgusting, not always act nice, nice, nice, nice or playfully nice, nice, nice. You have to set your mark against these players.’
You get it – Rudiger isn’t set to play nice.
With Mats Hummels and the highly-rated Gladbach defender Matthias Ginter set to be alongside him in a back-three, how they keep Griezmann, Mbappe and potentially Karim Benzema at bay could well be the deciding factor.
Havertz & Muller vs Varane & Kimpembe
At the other end of the pitch, Germany do possess some threats of their own – old and young.
Either side of the ever-reliable Thomas Muller – who has been recalled to the national team setup – is likely to be Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry, two players with unlimited potential.
Chelsea’s record signing Havertz ended a difficult season on a high by netting the winner in the Champions League final, as the arrival of Thomas Tuchel sparked something of a turnaround in form.
Kai Havertz (left) is back in favour for both club and country and will be important on Tuesday night while Thomas Muller (right) has been recalled to the national team setup
Raphael Varane (L) and Presnel Kimpembe (R) are as solid as they come for defensive pairings
Gnabry, undoubtedly more proven at the top level following a few excellent campaigns at Bayern, is yet to replicate that form for his country.
But up against Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe, they may well have their work cut out.
Two world-class centre backs, who look assured and composed when at the back for their country, will be formidable opponents.
Ilkay Gundogan vs N’Golo Kante
Of course, the competition in midfield is far more wide-ranging than just two players.
But, in a repeat of the clash in the Champions League final in Porto, Gundogan will have to try something different to get the better of Kante.
The Frenchman is in a scintillating batch of form, with calls for a Ballon d’Or win not completely ridiculous given the midfielder’s influence on proceedings in that Chelsea run to European glory.
N’Golo Kante got the better of Ilkay Gundogan in Porto – will it be the same story this evening?
Yet Gundogan had the season of his career too – and was Manchester City’s top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions.
His breaks from midfield will be vital for Germany’s attacking threat on Tuesday. Unfortunately, just about no one is better in world football than Kante at breaking up such opportunities.
Has Gundogan learnt anything from that final loss in Porto, where Kante was a unanimous choice for man-of-the-match? We’ll find out tonight.
MANAGERS
France coach Didier Deschamps’ stock could hardly be higher.
In charge since 2012, he guided his country to the Euro 2016 final before going a step further on the global stage two years later.
He also has something of an embarrassment of riches in his squad and the re-introduction of Benzema shows he is willing to let bygones be bygones
Yet France’s build-up has not been plain sailing. A row between Mbappe and Olivier Giroud has now been dealt with, but dominated the pre-match build-up.
Low and Deschamps are two of international football’s most recent successful coaches (pictured with Portugal boss Fernando Santos, L, at the Euro 2020 draw in November 2019)
As for Joachim Low, he is looking to go out on a high.
In charge for 13 years now, he will forever be remembered for the World Cup triumph in 2014, but is looking to revive his country’s fortunes after a tough few years at the helm.
Victory against the heir to their World Cup throne tonight in front of a boisterous home crowd would go a long way, ahead of Hansi Flick taking over after the completion of this tournament.
FORM
France have been nothing short of imperious.
They’re unbeaten in 18 games, stretching back to a qualifying loss against Turkey in June 2019.
They did slip up at home to Ukraine though in March, in a damp 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw, but looked back to their efficient-selves in recent warm-up triumphs against Wales and Bulgaria.
France are unbeaten in their last 18 internationals, a run stretching back to June 2019
German football is arguably still reeling from an embarrassing March loss to North Macedonia
Yet the Germans are still reeling from an embarrassing March loss at home to North Macedonia.
In case you forgot, there was also a 6-0 humbling at the hands of Spain in November.
Having failed to beat Denmark on June 2, as Low tried out his new three-at-the-back formation, Germany are desperately short of form, though did thrash Latvia 7-1 in their most recent warm-up clash.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
In addition to those already mentioned, the influence of Paul Pogba on proceedings could be vital.
France’s most creative midfield, the Manchester United man will be vital in creating openings for those up ahead of him, with Adrien Rabiot likely to be a fellow midfield enforcer alongside Kante.
Benjamin Pavard at right back, the man who scored the goal of the 2018 World Cup against Argentina, is also an energetic and effective outlet out-wide – and will no doubt bomb forward in support of the attacking trio.
Paul Pogba (L) will have the role of providing the link from midfield to attack for Mbappe (R)
For Germany, Toni Kroos will need to use all his big-game experience in midfield, and will be eager to get a handle possession-wise.
Josh Kimmich, likely to be deployed as a right wing-back, is a threat from out-wide, in a similar vein to Pavard on the opposite flank.
The Bayern Munich man has a knack of scoring big goals in big games and is a vital outlet for Low’s side.
Josh Kimmich is a big creative outlet out-wide for Germany, especially in this new formation
HOW WILL THEY LINE-UP?
FRANCE
France’s probable line-up in Munich tonight for the Group F showdown (4-4-2 diamond)
GERMANY
Germany’s probable line-up when they take on the world champions tonight (3-4-3)
