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Group D at Euro 2020 has a diverse group of constituents.
England, the primary hosts in the group, have a strong and balanced squad. Scotland, making their first Euro appearance in 25 years, will co-host the group games. Croatia are coming off a runners-up finish in the World Cup, while the Czech Republic have been touted as one of the dark horses at Euro 2020.
On that note, let's take a detailed look at the four teams in Group D at Euro 2020 and analyse their tactics, formations and key players along with team predictions.
#4 Scotland
Manager: Steve Clarke
Best Finish: Group Stage (1992 and 1996).
Predicted Finish: Fourth in Group Stage.
Scotland are returning to the Euros after their group-stage finish way back in 1996. Euro 2020 will also be the first major tournament for the Tartan Army since the 1998 World Cup finals. Scotland recently used a 3-5-2 system, with sporadic usage of the conventional 4-3-3 formation as well.
Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney play on the left side of a 3-man defence with two midfield pivots. John McGinn plays a central role in midfield and also provides support to wing play as the no. 10. Scotland largely depend on the likes of Che Adams, McGinn and Lyndon Dikes upfront to get the ball back from the opposition.
Billy Gilmour is a young Scottish player to watch out for after his cameo appearances for Chelsea and recent international games against the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the run-up to Euro 2020.
However, Steve Clarke's side have an overdependency on the left side and an overreliance on McGinn. They also lack depth in midfield and do not possess enough quality players plying their trades in the top leagues of Europe.
Scotland made it to Euro 2020 with play-off wins over Israel and Serbia, but they are unlikely to get past the group stage.
#3 Czech Republic
Manager: Jaroslav Silhavy.
Best Finish: Champions (1976 as Czechoslovakia).
Predicted Finish: Third in Group Stage.
The Czech Republic will hope to put their Euro 2016 performance, where they failed to win a single game and crashed out of the group stage, behind them. The Czechs have kept a basic 4-2-3-1 shape in recent few years and have strong over-lapping full-backs, with Vladimir Coufal playing on the right.
They possess a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, Tomas Soucek, who can play in wide areas as well as in a conventional playmaker role.
Vladimir Darida, their no. 10 in a 3-man midfield, can also assist in wing play when required. The Czech puzzle is completed by the towering Patrick Schick, who has an exemplary physique and is good in the air upfront.
The Locomotives rely on a lot of crosses, wing play and late runs by midfielders into the box. They are highly skilled and technical in the final third, but the 1996 runner-ups, like Scotland, are unlikely to qualify for the Euro 2020 knockouts.
#2 Croatia
Manager: Zlatko Dalic.
Best Finish: Quarter-finals (1996, 2008).
Predicted Finish: Second in Group Stage.
Croatia have been in indifferent form in the last year or so. They have won just two of their last eight games, which is far from ideal preparation for Euro 2020. They have had a dip in form across all competitions since their glorious run to the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Croatia like to play in a conventional diamond formation with either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-1-2 structure. Their gameplan heavily depends on the midfield dynamism provided by Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic. Ivan Perisic likes to play wide and create space in the wings for the midfielders to drift wide and stretch out the opposition.
Andrej Kramaric could be one to watch out for Croatia, as he is coming off a fabulous Bundesliga season with Hoffenheim. He scored 20 goals and could pose a threat to the opposition with his midfield play.
Croatia like to press and get the ball on their feet and hit the opposition on the counter-attack, with Luka Modric playing a key role. However, they lack quality scoring options up front, plagued by domestic injuries and also lack depth in defence.
Nevertheless, they are expected to qualify for the Euro 2020 knockouts.
#1 England
Manager: Gareth Southgate.
Best Finish: Third Place (1968).
Predicted Finish: First in Group Stage.
England have moved from an earlier 3-5-2 formation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup 2018 to a 4-3-3 structure ahead of Euro 2020. They are a fluid attacking side and use their full-backs in tandem to flood the midfield and push the opposition back.
Harry Kane has a World Cup Golden Boot to his name and will once again lead the Three Lions' attack at Euro 2020. He will also be used to drop down to midfield and help his side get the ball back. That would require other players to come in and support the Tottenham Hotspur striker.
Mason Mount could play the crucial role of a connecting playmaker from defensive midfield, feeding the front three, in a similar role to what he does at Chelsea. England like to play out from the back, making Jordan Pickford the favourite at goal, as the Everton no. 1 has the knack of picking out key passes.
Jude Bellingham could be one to watch out for after an impressive UEFA Champions League campaign, especially against Manchester City in the quarter-final. He has energy, power and confidence, which could be crucial for England's hopes of winning Group D and go all the way at Euro 2020.
Also Read: Jim Beglin's Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020.
