It is the hosts versus arguably the best performers of Euro 2024 so far as Germany face Spain in a huge quarter-final match at Arena Stuttgart on Friday.
A wave of belief has swept across the home nation, with low expectations before the tournament now growing higher with every German win. Spain, meanwhile, have been strong from the outset and look the most complete package of those in the last eight.
In many ways, this is a game that would have been a fitting final, but one of the two heavyweights will see their journey come to an end. Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan summed it up on Thursday, saying: “It speaks for both teams when you say we are the best teams in the tournament. That is why the excitement is so high.
“There is nothing better for a football fan or player to be involved in these kind of games.”
Germany growing as belief rises
Prior to the tournament there was a sense from the Germany fans that they would do well to get out of their group. Just nine months ago they lost 4-1 to Japan, leading to Hansi Flick becoming the first coach to be sacked in German history.
Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann replaced him and managed just one win his first four games. But a 5-1 thrashing of Scotland in the first game at these Euros lifted the mood of the fans. Results and performances since then have only seen that flourish.
“We see the fan zones in all the cities, the solidarity and the support all over the country,” Nagelsmann said. “We feel that support and it is carrying us.”
Forward Jamal Musiala has been one of the young stars with three goals in four games, but the return of experienced midfielder Toni Kroos to the international scene has arguably been one of Nagelsmann's significant moves as manager.
Kroos stepped down from international football in 2021 but returned for a swansong at his home tournament and has been a key player. He spent a decade with Real Madrid before retiring from club football this summer, and his experience of Spanish football could be vital on Friday.
“We now have a different belief,” said Kroos. “We are now winning games or at least not losing games that we were clearly losing in the past.
“We want to go a lot further and in the dressing room we are very convinced we will achieve that.”
Spain the most complete team?
Games between these two sides are often close, with three of their past four ending in a draw. The one exception to that is a result that could give Spain the psychological edge. It came in November 2020 in a Nations League match in Seville, with Spain winning 6-0 to inflict on Germany their heaviest defeat.
If not for Germany's resurgence at this tournament, then the way Spain have been playing may have prompted fears of a repeat. They have been defensively strong but possess great attacking strength – their tally of nine goals in four games is only bettered by the hosts, who have scored 10.
“Spain are the most complete package,” former England defender Matthew Upson said on BBC Radio 5 live.
“We know how good they are with the ball but how they are out of possession, the way they hunt teams down, tey have a bit of everything. They suffocate opponents.
“If you can't get the ball off them you are in big trouble. They are the most complete team in the tournament.”
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been their young stars of the tournament. Yamal, who is just 16, has provided two assists in four games, while 21-year-old Williams has a goal and assist in three games.
— CutC by bbc.com
