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The much anticipated Euro 2020 is set to kick off in a few weeks’ time as Portugal look to defend their prestigious title. They will come up against some of world football’s biggest legacies. Italy’s opener against Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico will be the curtain raiser for this edition of the Euros.
Euro 2020 will play host to some of world football’s premier strikers who are bound to set the stage ablaze. But there are some lesser-known names at this year’s Euros, who have the potential to steal the limelight.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 5 strikers who could surprise you in the upcoming Euro 2020.
#5 Ante Rebic | Croatia
The AC Milan striker was an unsung hero in Croatia’s magical run to the 2018 World Cup finals. Ante Rebic’s tenacity and relentless energy could prove to be the perfect recipe for Croatia’s counter attacking style of football at Euro 2020.
Rebic enjoyed a good 2020-21 season with the Rossoneri after a permanent move. The 27-year old impressed in his previous loan spell with AC Milan and has continued his fine form this season.
In 33 appearances across all competitions this season, Rebic was directly involved in 17 goals (11 goals, six assists). Rebic has the versatility and skills to operate anywhere across the forward line. That will allow Croatia to use different tactical approaches throughout the course of Euro 2020.
The World Cup finalist played 19 matches on the left wing this season, mainly due to the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a number nine role.
#4 Burak Yilmaz | Turkey
Burak Yilmaz has been one of Ligue 1’s standout players this season, making a vital contribution in Lille’s road to Ligue 1 glory.
Turkey are the dark horses going into Euro 2020, and the star striker will have a massive role to play in their title hopes. In 33 appearances across all competitions this season, Yilmaz has amassed a tally of 18 goals and five assists. He also scored a determined hat-trick against a strong Dutch side in Turkey's World Cup qualifying campaign.
He was Lille’s highest scorer in Ligue 1 this season and joint second in the assists chart. The veteran striker registered an xG (expected goals) of 10.3 in the league season leading up to Euro 2020.
Yilmaz is one of the most clinical strikers in European football and will form a lethal partnership with Hakan Calhanoglu at Euro 2020.
#3 Artem Dzyuba | Russia
Much like Yilmaz, Dzyuba is another seasoned striker who seems to be only getting better with age and will be one to watch out for at Euro 2020.
Russia’s star forward will have gained major tournament experience from his nation’s historic run to the quarter finals of the 2018 World Cup. Dzyuba has immortalized himself in the history of Russian football. Goals against Spain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, coupled with two assists, saw his stock skyrocket. He has since been in stellar form for Zenit St. Petersburg and has been instrumental in the club’s three successive Russian Premier League titles.
In 34 appearances across all competitions this season, the veteran forward has been directly involved in 29 goals (22 goals, seven assists). Adding to this, Dzyuba has scored a combined total of 15 goals across international tournaments since the 2018 World Cup.
Russia’s best finish at the Euros has been a semi-final appearance in 2008. A repeat of Dzyuba’s 2018 World Cup performance could equal and even better the record at Euro 2020.
#2 Donyell Malen | Netherlands
Donyell Malen has been Europe’s best number nine this season outside the big five leagues, showcasing tremendous goalscoring abilities for PSV Eindhoven.
The former Arsenal striker moved to the Netherlands in the 2017 summer transfer window. He has been in scintillating form in the build-up to the much awaited Euro 2020 tournament. In Malen’s last two seasons at the club, he has amassed a tally of 38 goals and 10 assists from 58 appearances.
Malen announced himself on the European stage this season with seven goals and an assist from 10 appearances in the 2020-21 Europa League. No player in the 26-man Netherlands squad for Euro 2020 has scored more goals than him.
The young Dutch has previously been linked with top clubs like Borussia Dortmund in recent times. A good performance at Euro 2020 might see the Dutchman ply his trade in one of the big five leagues.
#1 Gerard Moreno | Spain
The Villarreal striker finished second in La Liga’s scoring charts, just behind Lionel Messi. Gerard Moreno is arguably the best striker in Spanish football, not many know of, but has registered exceptionally consistent performances over the past few years.
The seasoned striker has been one of the best goalscoring forwards across all of Europe’s top five leagues. Moreno was one of the few to register 30 goals for the season in 46 appearances across all competitions. He showcased his lethal goalscoring abilities in the Europa League and played a massive part in Villarreal’s first European trophy in their history. Moreno has been directly involved in 12 goals (seven goals, five assists) from 12 Europa League appearances, including the opener in the finals against Manchester United.
It is a surprise that Moreno does not attract much attention from the media and fans despite such stunning performances every season. Euro 2020 might finally be the moment for Gerard Moreno to step into the spotlight. He has made four appearances this season for Spain in the lead up to Euro 2020. Three were from the bench, producing an output of two goals in his limited time on the pitch.
Spain have been struggling recently, but a good Euro 2020 campaign for Moreno will make La Roja a strong contender for the title.
