The CSKA Euro 2020 Group Stage Preview Part II

OK, so I hope you enjoyed reading Part I of this preview. It's obviously a bit of fun and absent of any real hardcore stats but I'd be keen to hear your own opinions and predictions. Here is Part II...

Two of international football's oldest enemies go head-to-head in Group D as England and Scotland play each other. Both teams are host nations so do they both stand a chance of qualifying? It's already become tough to watch all the media hype up England's chances and I almost feel sorry for their fans who actually seem a lot more grounded. There is no denying that England boast a talented squad but it is still littered with weaknesses and I, personally, feel head coach Gareth Southgate is still not the right man to lead them to a trophy. I still think we'll see the likes of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Reece James announce themselves on the international stage and they should win this group. Winning the tournament though? I find it hard to imagine.

Scotland are in their first major international tournament since 1998 and you feel that something is building within this squad. Steve Clarke was heavily criticised at the beginning of his reign but whether the fans feel his style of play is the way forward or not they are getting the results. The Tartan Army not only qualified for this tournament but narrowly missed out on being promoted to League A in the UEFA Nations League and have started their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign in a positive way. You wouldn't bet against this squad causing a shock or two.

Croatia might have reach the 2018 World Cup Final but it's hard to argue that their squad now is just as strong as it was back then. That team was inspired heavily by the creativity of Luka Modric who was awarded as the FIFA Player of the Tournament. 3 years on and Modric is now 35 years old and not quite as influential on games. Head coach Zlatko Dalic has tried to bleed in some youngsters but the crop coming through aren't showing anything that suggests they will keep Croatia at the level they have achieved in recent years. A poor UEFA Nations League showing and an uninspiring start to their 2022 World Cup qualification makes you think that this Croatian generation could be on their way out with a whimper.

Czech Republic are probably the one team that could throw a spanner in the works here. Jaroslav Silhavy is leading his national team through a solid period at the moment despite the squad being hampered by covid over the past year or so. The team has experience of beating England back in 2019 during qualification for this tournament but did suffer defeat to Scotland twice in the UEFA Nations League. It really depends on which Czech Republic turns up. They were a tough side for Wales in their recent 2022 World Cup qualification match so they should be handled with care and respect.

Steve's Prediction

1. England

2. Croatia

3. Scotland

4. Czech Republic

Group E will provide some exciting action with each team possessing the ability to score goals. Spain are the big talking point heading into this tournament. Head coach Luis Enrique failed to pick any Real Madrid players before witnessing his squad obliterated by covid-19 infections. This has led to him picking a shadow squad just in case he needs to make emergency call-ups. This squad isn't a patch on the Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Carlos Puyol squad of the 2008 and 2012 European Championship and 2010 World Cup successes but in the likes of Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Busquets, and Ferran Torres that are still in possession of a lot of talent that could take them far.

Sweden seem to be one of those football nations that repeatedly qualify for major tournaments. You look at their squad and there aren't really any stand-out talents. Dejan Kulusevski is probably the one name to watch but with the returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out through injury we are certain to see Janne Andersen's men adopt a team ethic approach to this tournament. Incredibly hard to beat but do they have enough quality to go further than the last 16?

Poland remain another side that keep on churning out the appearances at major tournaments. Unlike Sweden, they do have a number of big names in their ranks such as Robert Lewandowski, Kamil Glik, and Arkadiusz Milik. If any team is going to give Spain a run for their money in this group then I can see it being Poland. Paulo Sousa is the head coach and they have showed that even though they are still getting beaten by the top nations such as England, Italy, and Netherlands that they make their opponents work hard for the wins.

Slovakia are making another appearance at the European Championship after enjoying a run to the last 16 back in 2016. Head coach Stefan Tarkovic took over the reigns last year and even though they aren't scoring many wins he's grinding out the draws as well. This squad qualified at the expense of Northern Ireland and even though they still boast the likes of Marek Hamsik, Peter Pekarik, and Juraj Kucka, you feel they will have exceeded expectations if they avoid finishing bottom. There just simply isn't enough of an attacking threat to see them get a win in this group.

Steve's Prediction

1. Spain

2. Poland

3. Sweden

4. Slovakia

Finally, we have Group F. Unsurprisingly, it has been dubbed the "Group of Death" due to hit containing three of the favourites to win the tournament. Poor old Hungary. We might as well get the group minnows out of the way first. Head coach Marco Rossi's face said it all at the tournament draw but all they can do is go out there and try. Hungary reached this tournament for a second edition running after qualifying through the play-offs at the expense of UEFA Nations League A side Iceland so they can grind out a result against the better teams when needed. It's a tall order here though.

France come into this tournament as the reigning world champions and firm favourites. There is no denying that this French team is packed with talent right through its squad but is head coach Didier Deschamps tactically astute enough to repeat the success they enjoyed 3 years ago? He's given a return to striker Karim Benzema and his bonding with fellow attackers Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann is potentially frightening. N'golo Kante and Paul Pogba in the middle of the park with a defensive line that is up there with the best in the world. It's no surprise they are so heavily backed to win this tournament.

Portugal are the current European Championship winners and when you stop to take a look at their squad you can see why some are suggesting their odds of winning are a bargain. Big name players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias is an embarrassment or riches. Head coach Fernando Santos is still in charge and he knows exactly how to navigate through a European Championship.

Germany have always been backed as a side that start a tournament slowly and grow into it. It feels like the Joachim Low era is winding down now. The high of the 2014 World Cup win seems a while ago now and even though this German side still has a number of high quality players it's the first tournament in a long time that they've almost been written off. Does that make them more dangerous? Timo Werner might have had a stinker of a season in front of goal but they still have Serge Gnabry who has a terrifying record of 16 goals in 22 international appearances. Never count out the Germans!

Steve's Prediction

1. France

2. Portugal

3. Germany

4. Hungary

Right, so that wraps up my preview of the group stages for the 2020 European Championship. You may agree with my predictions or you may think they are an absolute joke. Either way, let us know your own thoughts. It's all a bit of fun and I'm certain we'll see a number of shocks happen over the next couple of weeks as teams try to battle their way out of this tricky group phase.