Every team at Euro 2020 has played one game, with some performing better than others. Some managers will have to rethink their selections if they are to qualify for the last-16 stage. Here are five players who did not start their teams’ opening games but should not be left out again.
Gerard Moreno, Spain
Only Lionel Messi (30) scored more goals than Gerard Moreno (23) in La Liga last season, so it was a shock to see the Villarreal striker on the bench for Spain’s first game at Euro 2020. Luis Enrique elected to start Álvaro Morata in Seville and the decision backfired. Spain lumbered to a goalless draw with Sweden as the Juventus man managed just three shots in his 66 minutes on the pitch, none of which troubled Robin Olsen.
Morata is a confidence player and, once he scores, the goals will flow. However, after dropping points against Sweden, Enrique needs to be ruthless and he should pick Moreno against Poland. Moreno had a direct hand in 40 goals for Villarreal last season, scoring 30, and finished the campaign with a Europa League winners’ medal around his neck.
The fact that Moreno had more shots on target in 16 minutes than Morata did in 66 against Sweden suggests he is worth a place in the team. Spain completed more passes (829) than any other team in the first round of group games, but they created just 12 goalscoring chances, a poor return considering they ended the night with 85% possession. With Moreno in the mix – either replacing or playing alongside Morata – they could make that dominance count.
Jack Grealish, England
England’s 1-0 victory over Croatia on Sunday was their first ever win in an opening game at the Euros. It was a balmy afternoon at Wembley and, after a frantic start by the home side, the players took their foot off the gas to conserve energy and wait for their chance to strike. The patience paid off as Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game shortly after the restart to cap a good start to the tournament.
It’s difficult to criticise Gareth Southgate’s picks on the day yet, as the minutes ticked by, another outlet to draw fouls and create chances would have eased the pressure on the England defence. Despite missing 12 league matches through injury, Jack Grealish (110) was the most fouled player in the Premier League last season, and only Kevin De Bruyne made more key passes per 90 minutes than the Aston Villa player.
Phil Foden may be England’s golden boy – literally – at Euro 2020, but he was relatively quiet against Croatia and was our lowest rated England player in the match. Southgate is unlikely to make too many changes for Scotland’s trip to Wembley on Friday night, but he should give Grealish the opportunity to show what he can do.
Nikola Vlasic, Croatia
Staying with the game at Wembley from Sunday, Croatia’s dismal run of form continues. They have now won just two of their last 10 matches – and those victories came against international minnows Cyprus and Malta. After their 1-0 defeat to England, Croatia need to pick up the pieces when they face Czech Republic on Friday.
After Czech Republic’s win over Scotland on Monday afternoon, there is a greater onus on Zlatko Dalic to oversee victory at Hampden and the inclusion of Nikola Vlasic would add some creative spark to this Croatia side. A midfield three of Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric offers little in the final third, so Vlasic could provide the ideal link between the midfield and attack.
His 20-minute cameo at Wembley on Sunday was not a true representation of Vlasic’s quality. The 23-year-old finished the season with 11 goals and five assists in the Russian Premier League; only Sebastian Szymanski (77) created more goalscoring chances than Vlasic (23). Czech Republic were fortunate to win their opening game – they allowed Scotland 19 shots to their 10 at Hampden – and, if Vlasic is free to pick the locks, that luck may run out against Croatia on Friday evening.
Che Adams, Scotland
Andy Robertson was the only Scotland player who made more key passes than Che Adams during their 2-0 defeat to Czech Republic on Monday, this despite the fact that Adams only came on as a substitute at half time. Thirteen of Scotland’s 19 shots came following Adams’ introduction.
When Adams declared his international allegiance for Scotland earlier this year, it looked like he would partner Lyndon Dykes up front this summer. Steve Clarke’s decision not to start him looked even more puzzling when he had such an impact off the bench.
England have conceded just one goal in their last seven matches, so they will be very difficult to break down on Friday night. Adams is familiar with their defence, having come up against them on a weekly basis in the Premier League, and should be given his chance at Wembley.
André Silva, Portugal
Portugal may have beaten Hungary 3-0 in Budapest on Tuesday night, but their victory was not secured until the last few minutes. Their three goals – one from Raphael Guerreiro and a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo – came after André Silva was introduced in the 81st minute, a substitution that led to Ronaldo moving from the central striking role to the left flank.
Silva is coming into the tournament after a wonderful season with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Only Robert Lewandowski (41) scored more goals than the 25-year-old (28), which helped his side to a fifth-placed finish. Fernando Santos’ decision to bring on Silva against Hungary benefitted Portugal, as it gave defenders more to worry about and allowed Ronaldo to drift out to his favoured role on the left side of the attack.
Ronaldo may want to lead the line but Portugal looked more threatening once Silva had been introduced against Hungary. Of course, bringing the striker into the fold means one of Portugal’s many talented midfielders drops out of the side but, if Santos is looking to maximise the best attackers at his disposal, then Silva is deserving of more time on the field as the tournament progresses.
from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3xE6J7d
via IFTTT
No Comment