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The 2024 European Football Championship group stage will be the most intense on paper today in Gelsenkirchen, with defending champions Italy facing Spain for the fifth consecutive time in the European continental championship, while England, dreaming of its first European continental championship, is in the battle for the championship. It won its second victory against Denmark in Frankfurt. In Group 2, the two teams strive to build on their first round victory, with Italy reversing Albania 2-1 and Spain beating Croatia 3-0.
Croatia and Albania drew in their second meeting in this group, with the winner of this match securing qualification for the round of 16.
Italy has defeated Spain in the past two editions of the tournament, 2-0 in 2016 and on penalties in the semi-finals in the summer of 2021. However, Spain beat Italy 4-0 in the final. In the 2012 final, they tied 1-1 in the group stage. The two teams also met in the quarter-finals in 2008, with Spain winning on penalties. Spain has won the title three times, most recently in 2012, and holds the record with Germany. In 40 encounters between the two sides, Spain has won 13 times and Italy has won 11 times.
England look to secure second win against Denmark
In Group 3, England coach Gareth Southgate, seeking a second straight win, must resolve the plight of Phil Foden, who has failed to carry over his outstanding performances for Manchester City to the national team. Foden’s recent disappointing performances for the national team have sparked controversy. Southgate played an important role in Manchester City, where he was named the Premier League’s best player last season. With 19 goals and 8 assists, they won their fourth consecutive title.
Despite his impressive performances for Manchester City, he has yet to break into the national team ranks.
He had trouble in England’s last finals in the summer of 2021 as he started poorly in the first two games, playing just 25 minutes, and then missed the final loss to Italy due to injury.
Foden also failed to perform to his usual level at the Qatar World Cup, as his side were eliminated in the quarter-finals against France, and he has scored one goal in his last 13 international games and just four in 35 appearances for his country.
The match was seen as revenge for Denmark, who were eliminated by England in the semi-finals of the last World Cup, losing 1-2 after extra time.
In the second match of the same group, Serbia will face Slovenia in Munich.
Albania draws with Croatia, the road to promotion becomes more complicated
In the second round of the second group of the European Football Championship held in Germany, Albania drew 2-2 with Croatia and advanced to the next round, finally keeping its hopes of advancing to the round of 16.
Croatia was overturned in two minutes by Andrej Kramaric (74 points) and substitute Klaus Giasola (76 fouls against Croatia), and delayed by a goal from Kazem Lacchi (11 points), before finally securing a hard-fought victory. Giasola himself eventually equalized the score (90+5).
Ahead of Spain’s climactic showdown with defending champions Italy on Thursday, the two teams took their first points ahead of Albania on goal difference.
Croatia’s hopes of missing the first round of the 2022 World Cup for the third time in a row, and its fifth consecutive first round appearance at a major tournament, were dashed ahead of a tough clash with the defending champions next Monday, while Albania will face Spain on the same day.
Croatia lost 0-3 to Spain in the first round, and Albania lost 1-2 to Italy in the first round.
Slovenia and Serbia have high ambitions
Slovenia took a point from their opening match and are full of confidence ahead of today’s match against Serbia, while the mood in the opposing team is more pessimistic due to concerns about injuries and the sadness of their captain.
Playing in the European Championship for the first time in 24 years, Slovenia realises that victory will put it in a strong position to advance from Group C, which also includes England and Denmark.
Head coach Matijas Kek will most likely rely on the same squad from the last match, which does not include many veterans, apart from captain and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who is making his first major tournament appearance for his country.
But several promising young players will be looking to make their mark, including 20-year-old striker Benjamin Sisco, who scored five goals in tournament qualifiers and hit the woodwork against Denmark.
Despite a strong performance against group leaders England, Serbia’s optimism was tempered by news that midfielder Filip Kostic had damaged ligaments in his left knee.
Serbia’s effort would be a repeat of what it showed after the break against England, when Serbia stepped up the pressure and involved more attacking players in search of an equaliser.
The Slovenia defence will be tested against Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic but what has caused concern in Serbia is the displeasure of captain Dusan Tadic, who criticised him for not starting after head coach Stojkovic preferred to keep him on the bench and did not bring him on until an hour into the game.
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