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On Tuesday, France will take on Germany in a marquee UEFA Euro 2020 clash at the Allianz Arena.
Reigning world champions France will look to make amends in the continental tournament after failing to win it in their backyard in 2016. Meanwhile, Germany have a new-look squad and are not realistically expected to go all the way at Euro 2020.
Perched in Group F, dubbed the Group of Death, as it also contains reigning champions Portugal and Hungary, both France and Germany will look to open their campaign with a win.
In their last meeting at Euro 2016, the stakes were much higher, as the two teams clashed for a place in the final. France rode Antoine Griezmann's brace to beat the then reigning world champions on that day.
France and Germany boast some of Europe's top players in their ranks, so an enticing clash could be in store on Tuesday. On that note, let's take a look at a hypothetical starting lineup of France and Germany (4-3-3 formation).
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Goalkeeper - Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Manuel Neuer gets the nod, as he is arguably the better of the two keepers. The Bayern Munich custodian recently played his 100th game for Germany. Although his France counterpart Hugo Lloris is also a good keeper, the Frenchman can't compete with Neuer in terms of ball distribution.
Neuer has not enjoyed a great season between the sticks, and his 2020-21 campaign with Bayern Munich was one of his worst for the German giants. But Neuer impressed with ability with the ball, distribution skills and quickness in coming off his line.
Thanks to a solid defence in front of him for much of his international career, Neuer has had very little to do in international competitions. He conceded only four goals in Germany's 2014 FIFA World Cup triumph.
Regardless of the opposition, Neuer has always displayed sharp reflexes, making breathtaking saves, and will look for a strong campaign for Germany at Euro 2020.
Right-back - Benjamin Pavard (France)
France's Benjamin Pavard makes this hypothetical XI because of his tirelessness on the right flank and his penchant to score amazing goals from the edge of the box.
His physics-defying volley for France against Argentina in the Round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup was voted the best goal of the tournament. Though he was not been involved in any goals in the Bundesliga this term, he linked up well with his teammates. Pavard is more than happy to pass the ball when a teammate is in a better goal-scoring position.
With Germany's Lukas Klostermann injured for this game, the Bayern Munich man received the nod in this XI.
Centre-back - Raphael Varane (France)
Though Raphael Varane has had a few nervy moments with Real Madrid in the last few seasons, his pace, aerial prowess and no-nonsense defending make him one of the best defenders in the game.
In the absence of his club captain Sergio Ramos in the second half of the season, Varane, the senior-most defensive figure at the club, became the de facto leader on the pitch.
With him at the heart of defence, Madrid had the second-best defensive record in La Liga. Raphael Varane is expected to provide a similar kind of stability and leadership for France at Euro 2020.
Centre-back - Mats Hummels (Germany)
Mats Hummels is back in Germany colours and is expected to provide a much-needed leadership figure in their defensive line.
He was an ever-present in Borussia Dortmund's third-place finish in the Bundesliga in the 2020-21 campaign. Hummels scored five Bundesliga goals and helped keep four clean sheets in BvB's title-winning run in the DFB-Pokal.
He is one of the best defenders in the air and is a threat from set-pieces. With Hummels in the XI, Germany should be a bit less worried about France's attacking threat.
Left-back - Robin Gosens (Germany)
A wing-back by nature, Robin Gosens is the most prolific defender in this combined XI; he found the back of the net 11 times for Atalanta in 2020-21.
While playing for Germany, he is usually deployed on the left flank by Joachim Low where his pace and shooting prowess come in handy. Gosens is a relatively unknown name in this hypothetical star-studded XI. But his exploits have not gone unnoticed, and he is already on the shortlist of many of Europe's top clubs.
France's Lucas Hernandez was also an option for this spot, but he lacks the goal threat provided by Gosens. Nevertheless, both of them could be key players for their respective teams at Euro 2020.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020.
Defensive midfielder - N'Golo Kante (France)
France's N'Golo Kante, a revelation in the past few years, could be a key player against Germany. His impressive displays for club and country in defensive midfield makes him one of the first names in this hypothetical combined XI.
Kante has a tremendous engine and has the ability to cover every corner of the pitch. His interceptions and tackles are better than even some of the well-established defenders, and he is a good passer of the ball.
The France international has been a joy to watch this season and could be a key player for his team against Germany.
Central Midfielder - Toni Kroos (Germany)
Both France and Germany have a plethora of talent in the middle of the pitch. Like his France counterpart N'Golo Kante, Germany's Toni Kroos is one of the first names in his team's starting XI.
The Real Madrid midfielder is blessed with great vision and technical ability, which makes him stand out in midfield despite not being the strongest or fastest player on the pitch.
He has maintained an impressive 90%+ passing accuracy for the last five seasons in club football and also pulls the strings for Germany in midfield. Kroos is also very good from set-piece situations and scored an injury-time winner for Germany in their 2018 FIFA World Cup group-stage game against Sweden.
Central Midfielder - Joshua Kimmich (Germany)
Germany's Joshua Kimmich is one of the most versatile players in the game. He started at right-back and later moved into defensive midfield. He has started as the right wing-back for Germany in recent games, though.
Kimmich is a leader on the pitch and has excelled for club and country. He was named in the EURO 2016 Team of the season in his debut appearance in the competition. Kimmich has only grown in stature since then.
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Right Winger - Antoine Griezmann (France)
France's Antoine Griezmann has been the epitome of consistency for his country despite having an indifferent couple of club seasons.
The Barcelona ace has had modest returns for his club but has been a key performer in France colours.
Griezmann was France's top scorer with four goals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He won the Golden Boot at EURO 2016, scoring six goals. The Frenchman also scored in both of France's friendly games this month and could do so against Germany as well on Tuesday.
Left Winger - Kylian Mbappe (France)
France and Paris Saint-Germain's star forward Kylian Mbappe is one of the best young players in the game.
He left his mark on the international stage with eye-catching performances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After an impressive club campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, the France international will look to win his second major silverware in international football.
Mbappe's pace and accurate finishing have troubled many a defender over the years. Considering his ability to up his game in key fixtures like the Champions League clash against Barcelona, Mbappe could be one of France's goalscorers against Germany.
Centre Forward - Karim Benzema (France)
Karim Benzema completes an all-France attack in this hypothetical lineup. Considering the middling returns of Germany's attackers in recent games, the veteran Frenchman gets the nod.
Benzema has been an effective target man for Real Madrid over the last few seasons since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.
Making a return to the France fold after six long years, Benzema will look to leave a mark at Euro 2020. Though Olivier Giroud scored a brace in France's last friendly game, Benzema is more likely to start against Germany.
Also Read: 5 top players who could miss Euro 2021 due to injury.
