Ep48: European Championships - Groups E & F - Team Playing Styles and Match Previews

Attacking The Championship

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Today we look at European Championships 2024 Groups E and F, how they're shaping up as far as playing styles, passing tempo, defensive pressing and intensity, crosses and deep completions.

Group E couldn't be more in the balance with every team on 3 points. One goal could change everything. Group F is a little more certain. Portugal sit at the top on 6 points with the other three teams scrapping it out for the remaining qualifying positions.

Group E

Ukraine v Belgium - Although Belgium lost their first game the underlying performance metrics paint a very promising picture. Their playing style radar chart displays what we expect to see from a dominant team with a high possession, attacking and pressing picture. No surprises when you look at the talent at their disposal. We think they'll dominate possession once again and put Ukraine under a lot of pressure...... is this the game where Belgium take their chances and tally up the goal total their build up play has merited? Ukraine have been a hybrid of all five playing styles without really showing their true colours, remember this is after only two games of course. We don't expect them to go toe to toe with Belgium, more likely choosing a more cautious approach and hitting Belgium on the counter attack. We can't much other than a dominant Belgium win..... if Romelu Lukaku can take his chances and avoid anymore VAR involvements.

Slovakia V Romania - Two counter attacking teams that have been happy to let Belgium and Ukraine dominate possession in their previous two matches. So who will take the game by the scruff of the neck and try to get the win? But do they really have to? With Belgium red hot favourites to beat Ukraine a total of 4 points would be enough to ensure qualification in either the runner up of third place position. We predict a slow cautious and boring game that will end with little incident, but a double celebration after the 90 minutes is complete.

Group F

Czech Republic V Turkey - The Czech Republic have been a counter attacking team on the whole in their first two matches which is perhaps not a surprise considering one of their opponents was a strong Portugal side who dominated possession. You know that the Czechs will give anyone a difficult game, and if Turkey drop their standards at all we think the Czechs could seal a place in the knockout stages.

Turkey have been very inconsistent. A breath of fresh air against Georgia, but a shadow of that team against a strong Portugal...... so who are the real Turkish team? A lot will depend on whether their first choice goalkeeper is fit for selection, and whether the manager feels confident in releasing their young superstar in the making, Arda Guler, onto this big stage once again. We thin there's potential for a more rear guard set up from the Turks knowing that a draw would be enough for automatic qualification. The first goal... if it comes, will be vital to how the flow of the game develops.

Portugal v Georgia - On paper its a mismatch. Portugal have dominated both opponents so far with their possession based, attacking and high pressing style. 99 times out of 100 you'd expect Portugal to steamroller the lowest ranked team in the competition. But Portugal have already qualified, they have a few suspensions, and have earned the right to rest first choice players, which we expect they will. But they've got so much quality that it should still be enough to overcome a resolute and plucky Georgia side.

Georgia have been great value, showing up to this tournament with the sort of positive mindset we would love to see from England in all honesty. They're pressing hard, and also counter attacking effectively, so if Portugal aren't completely at their best and Georgia sneak the first goal perhaps we'll have an upset on our hands.... but we don't expect that to happen.

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