Joachim Low’s charges are among the favourites to get their hands on the trophy at the Stade de France next month, although there is an argument to be made that they have gone backwards since winning the country’s fourth World Cup in Brazil two years ago. Defeats by the United States, Poland, the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia – as well as France and England – have raised concern and decreased optimism, but the Germans will still be there or thereabouts in the final reckoning in France this summer given the quality they have running through their 23-man squad.
Indeed, there are not many teams who can match Germany’s attacking riches, with talented players such as Leroy Sane, Julian Weigl and Andre Schurrle likely to be left on the substitutes’ bench. Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels is arguably the strongest centre-back partnership in the competition – although the latter could miss the Ukraine clash through injury – but there are doubts at full-back, where Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is a candidate to be deployed on the right and Jonas Hector on the left. Sami Khedira will shield the back four in the defensive midfield slot, with Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil the men who will be tasked with supplying the ammunition for the likes of Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze.
Ukraine’s focus will simply be on making it out of a tough group and into the round of 16 for the first time. The Euro 2012 co-hosts reached this edition of the European Championship by beating Slovenia in a play-off after finishing behind Spain and Slovakia in their qualification group; while that may suggest they are not particularly strong, it is important that Germany do not succumb to complacency as they prepare to take on a team who have the potential to punish them if they switch off.
Mykhaylo Fomenko’s side are at their most dangerous when counter-attacking down the flanks, with pacey and direct wingers Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka helping Ukraine to transition from defence to attack at speed. The midfield is full of industry and work ethic, and the Ukrainians have no problem with sitting deep, ceding possession and taking a cautious approach. Germany and Poland are the favourites to reach the knockout stage as the top two in Group C, but Ukraine certainly have what it takes to advance as one of the four best third-placed nations.
It is difficult to look past Germany recording a victory in their opening encounter on Sunday, but it may be a nervier encounter than many are expecting. A win for Low’s men by a single-goal margin could therefore be the best bet this weekend, while both teams to score is another wager that is worth exploring. In terms of the first goalscorer, Muller is the favourite and available at shorts odds across the board, with Kroos a potentially more lucrative option for those who fancy a riskier bet.
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