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The UEFA Euro 2020 is back in action as the previous two World Cup winners go head-to-head in the last game of round one. Both of these teams belong in the colloquial 'Group of Death', alongside reigning champions Portugal and Hungary.
As a result, both teams will be looking for those crucial three points in this first game. France enter the tournament as clear favorites, while Germany are looking for one last hurrah under long-term boss Joachim Löw.
Both Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann shook off minor injuries and are available for selection, meaning Didier Deschamps has all his attacking options to choose from. Nothing definitive can be said about the German team but reports suggest that Kai Havertz will start alongside Gnabry and Muller. One potential boost for Germany is Leon Goretzka's availability, who was expected to miss out on the opening fixture.
A lot is riding on this game as it will set the tone for this really exciting group. France and Germany are two heavyweights of European football and it surely promises to be an epic encounter. Keeping all that in mind, let us take a look at the five key battles from this game.
#5 Raphael Varane (France) vs Thomas Müller (Germany)
It was really surprising to see Joachim Löw drop Thomas Müller from the Germany squad a few years ago. But the German has had an unreal turn-around at Bayern Munich over the last couple of years. The 31-year old has been directly involved in 58 goals in the last two Bundesliga seasons and was instrumental in Bayern Munich's 2019-20 treble. Muller will be hoping to replicate his club form for his country starting with the match against France.
Standing in front of him though will be Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, who has earned the tag of a serial winner. The France centre-back has won almost everything that is there to win, but he is yet to get his hands on the European Championship. Varane is up for any challenge thrown at him and his brilliance against Müller's intelligence will be a key battle that could decide the outcome of this game.
#4 Lucas Hernandez (France) vs Kai Havertz (Germany)
This France side are known for their attacking prowess but their solid backline has its own superstars, one of them being Lucas Hernandez. The left-back is unbelievably fast and protects the last line of the defense extremely well. The 25-year old is a very aggressive and fierce player who will never back out of a challenge. His no-nonsense defending will be a good match-up against a certain player who is flying high at the moment.
A season full of criticism ended with a Champions League final winner for Germany's Kai Havertz. According to reports, Joachim Low has made the decision to start Havertz instead of Leroy Sane against France. There is a good chance that Havertz will start on the right-wing, which will bring him face-to-face against Hernandez. It will be an exciting battle between two young European stars.
#3 Karim Benzema (France) vs Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Real Madrid's talisman Karim Benzema is set to feature in his first major international tournament since the 2014 World Cup. Reports suggested a minor issue with his knee but he has declared himself 100% fit for his nation's first match at Euro 2020.
Benzema's relationship with France has been filled with controversy but there is no denying the fact that he deserves to lead the line for Les Bleus after his recent performances. The 33-year old is confident and believes he still has a lot to offer and will be hoping for a dream return on the international stage.
Benzema's intelligent runs and awareness in the box might fool the defenders but he still has to get the better of Manuel Neuer. Germany has a talented and composed leader between the sticks who will never back down from any challenge. These two are surely going to be involved throughout the game and it will be a key match-up.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (France) vs Antonio Rudiger (Germany)
There is nothing wrong in claiming that when Kylian Mbappe takes the pitch, he is the biggest threat to the opposition defense. The golden boy of football is one of the best players in the modern-game at just 22 years of age. With his scintillating pace, directness and finishing, he will be key for France's chances like he was three years ago when they won the World Cup.
Up against Mbappe would be Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger who has resurrected his career under new boss Thomas Tuchel. He has been world-class in a three-man defense for Chelsea and Low is likely to opt for a three-man defence with Rudiger on the left. It promises to be an interesting battle as stopping Mbappe is no easy task but Rudiger has passed every test with flying colors in recent months.
#1 N’Golo Kante (France) vs Toni Kroos (Germany)
It has been a wonderful few months for the ever-smiling N'golo Kante. He bossed every midfield Chelsea came up against during their European triumph and will look to do the same for his national team.
The midfield duo of Kante and Pogba has consistently worked well for Didier Deschamps's team set-up as they complement each other perfectly. It is evident that Kante has grown as a player and is much more than just a ball-winning midfielder. While that remains his key strength, the 30-year old has a lot more to offer.
The midfield battle between Kante and Kroos will be significant, like it was when they met in the Champions League semi-final. Kroos remains Germany's best passer and it will be Kante who will have to make sure Kroos doesn't get much time on the ball. Midfield battles win you games and this one might decide the outcome of the game.
