That Spain did not feature Williams or Yamal. I'd say Spain is a better team now, too.
Also very true. Hopefully Nico plays so well in the next round that Nagelsmann sticks with him…as his athletic advantage should help more than Tah’s power…I’d also probably start Henrichs at LB for more defensive cover against Yamal.
But we can disrupt Spain before they get the ball to those two better than Italy / Croatia, and tire them out more from needing to defend…plus I suspect both teams will be more cautious than in the group stages because both are such threats.
We could absolutely lose to them, but we can absolutely beat them as well. And either way it has the potential to be one of the matches of the tourney, as these have arguably been the two most fun teams to watch so far.
The sample size is way too small to say this is a reliable feature of their game. In any event they scored 3 against Croatia, and of course Italy is notoriously good at not conceding. Germany meanwhile leaks goals all the time.
This Italy isn’t the Italy of 10+ years ago. They’re a Switzerland / Austria level team atm.
1. Spain is the most dangerous.
2. Italy may be pedestrian but they have a pretty solid all-time record against the Germans in elimination.
3. England is overrated as per usual.
4. Denmark, solid as they are, would be my preferred opponent.
I think it's always best to play the weakest opposition even if a stronger opponent leads to an easier path later. Maybe Spain is upset in their match, you never know.
I have it
Spain
England
Italy
Denmark
With the gap between Spain and England being bigger than the gap from Italy to Denmark. England’s over rated but this Italy is weak.
Spain could drop the ball but I’m much more scared of them than I am England & this Italian team. Would’ve been a good chance to improve our all time record against them at tourneys, and it’s always funny watching the English meltdown after losing to us.