Germany lost its status as a superpower when disappointing in the last three major tournaments, and created a forgettable 2023, leading to Hansi Flick’s dismissal. However, under the guidance of young coach Julian Nagelsmann , things are gradually changing. Nationalelf look formidable once again with their dynamic style of football, rich in their desire to attack and possess particularly exciting talent up front.

In its 14th EURO appearance, more than any other country, Germany is not among the top championship candidates. However, this is an advantage for Nagelsmann and his team, who is coming to a major tournament for the first time as a national team coach. Nationalelf played with little pressure and really enjoyed themselves, something they did not have in the post-2014 World Cup championship.

Even better, the host only has to meet Scotland, a team that has missed the last 6 World Cups and has only participated in EURO (2020) once in the past 6 tournaments. The country, which is part of the United Kingdom, has also never made it past the group stage in the two major tournaments mentioned above, and it is also very unlikely that they will change history with their current team. A defeat in the opening match is inevitable for coach Steve Clarke’s team.

Form and history of confrontation between Germany and Scotland

As mentioned, Germany had a pretty bad time but soon regained its form before EURO 2024 . They are unbeaten in the last 4 matches (won 3), and have won 3/4 opening matches of past EURO periods. As for Scotland, they have only won 1 match (against a very weak Gibraltar) in the last 9 matches (lost 5). In addition, in the 9 EURO matches played, they only won 2 and lost 5. Scotland also lost 2, drew 1 in the opening 3 matches, and did not score any goals.

In the past, Germany and Scotland had 13 encounters. As a result, Germany won 8, drew 4 and lost only 1 match in 1999, in a friendly match in Bremen. The last 3 head-to-head matches were all EURO qualifiers, with Germany always winning. At a EURO finals, the two teams met once in 1992 and Scotland lost 0-2.

According to Opta’s supercomputer, the probability of Germany winning the opening match of EURO 2024 is up to 70.4% while Scotland has only a 12.2% chance.

Information on German vs Scottish forces

Nagelsmann chooses players based on performance, not reputation. So Leon Goretzka, Mats Hummel, Serge Gnabry or Timo Werner had to stay at home. A loss for Germany was that right before the opening match, Aleksandar Pavlovic had to leave the team due to tonsillitis. Emre Can was called in as a replacement, but the dual axis in midfield is still Robert Andrich and Toni Kroos. Above, Kai Havertz continues to play the “false number 9” with support from the talented duo Jamal Musiala – Florian Wirtz and captain Ilkay Guendogan.

On the Scottish side, they traveled to Germany without striker Lyndon Dykes and winger Ben Doak. Before the first match, Ryan Jack had some physical problems but stars Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and Stuart Armstrong were all ready.

Expected lineup Germany vs Scotland

Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Havertz

Scotland: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, McTominay, Gilmour, Robertson; McGinn, Christie; Shankland