- What: EURO 2024 Semi-Final, Spain vs. France
- Where: Germany, Munich
- When: July 9, 10:00 PM (local time – 9:00 PM)
- Stadium: Allianz Arena (67,800 seats)
There is a high probability that the future champion is hidden in this pair. Surprisingly, the football played by today's opponents evokes opposite emotions from both experts and fans. The Spaniards shine, scoring the most goals at the EURO, while the French, in an unusually "stingy" manner, neither concede nor score. A theoretical final of England vs. France could become a real punishment for the viewers and a loud slap in the face to sporting principles. Let's hope not...
Spain
The team is in excellent form! 5 matches – 5 wins! The last one, though in extra time, was against Germany. They score a lot and concede very little. One of the few top teams that even exceeds expectations in their gameplay. The last hope for fans of beautiful football!
Spain at the EURO: No. 1 in goals scored – 11. No. 1 in dangerous chances created – 21. No. 1 in missed scoring chances – 15. No. 1 in shots on goal – 20 per match. No. 1 in shots on target – 7.2 per match. No. 2 in fewest goals conceded – 2. No. 2 in red cards – 1. No. 3 in yellow cards – 12. No. 3 in fouls – 14.8 per match. No. 2 in clean sheets – 3.
In the lineup: Lamine Yamal: No. 1 in assists – 3. No. 1 in goal opportunities – 5.
Fabian Ruiz: No. 1 in Goal + Assist system – 4. No. 3 in assists – 2.
Dani Olmo: No. 1 in Goal + Assist system – 4. No. 3 in assists – 2.
Unai Simon: No. 2 in fewest goals conceded – 0.5 per game.
France
Utter boredom and sadness – that's the entire range of emotions when watching France's games at the current EURO. In 5 played matches: NOT A SINGLE GOAL scored from open play and NOT A SINGLE GOAL conceded from open play. 2 penalties and 2 own goals – that's the entire scoring record of the French and their opponents. Winning the title is important, of course. But football is primarily about sport and spectacle! Here, that has been completely forgotten!
France at the EURO: No. 1 in fewest goals conceded – 1 goal. No. 1 in clean sheets – 4. No. 3 in missed scoring opportunities – 11. No. 3 in accurate long passes – 21 per game. No. 3 in successful dribbles – 11.6 per game.
In the lineup: Kylian Mbappe: No. 1 in shots on goal – 5 per game, No. 1 in successful dribbles – 4 per game, No. 2 in shots on target – 2 per game, No. 3 in xG – 2.74 (funny, but that's the statistic).
Aurelien Tchouameni: No. 2 in accurate long passes – 5.8 per game.
Ousmane Dembele: No. 3 in successful dribbles – 3.5 per game.
Mike Maignan: No. 1 among goalkeepers in clean sheets – 4, No. 1 in fewest goals conceded – 0.2 per game.
Prediction
France has excellent defense and is very hard to score against. But their powerless attack is a much more significant factor. Keeping a "clean sheet" against the best attack at the EURO is unlikely. Spain is bound to find their goal!
Prediction xGscore: Spain: Handicap (0)
