Thomas Fenton’s France v Germany preview: lack of pace in defence could be exposed in Munich

Our Matchday Squad journalist will be covering Germany throughout Euro 2020

Germany have the unenviable task of starting their Euro 2020 campaign against the pre-tournament favourites – who just so happened to knock Joachim Low’s men out of the very same competition five year’s prior.

While Die Mannschaft impressed in a recent 7-1 win over Latvia, they do head into Tuesday’s match against France with a couple of fresh injury concerns. RB Leipzig defender Lukas Klostermann, and Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka are both unlikely to feature for Germany in the Group F opener.

In spite of these losses, if Low’s men can use the ball effectively, and can make the very most of home advantage at the Allianz Arena, a win could well be on the cards. However, as last year’s 6-0 pasting at the hands of Spain demonstrates, Germany cannot afford to be hit on the counter with regularity; as slower defenders like Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule could struggle against Kylian Mbappe & co.

France may have form on their side, but this could be a game in which both sets of players are simply determined to avoid getting beat so early into the tournament. With the third placed finisher in Group F likely to advance to the last 16, don’t expect either team to go all out for the win. I predict Germany to earn a morale-boosting draw.

Check out the latest Euro 2020 odds.