The latest international break has presented the bosses of European sides with one of the final opportunities they will get to experiment with their starting line-ups ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
Each current 25-man squad will be cut down to 23 before the tournament’s start date on June 14, and the the starting XI’s that have been fielded in recent international friendlies has given an indication as to what the team sheets will look like this summer.
Of the eight best teams competing in Germany this summer, according to the bookmakers’ odds, we have predicted their likely starting lineups for the opening game of the tournament…
France
(4-2-3-1): Maignan; Pavard, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud.
France are expected to play with a new-look backline, with William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate both impressing with Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League. Dayot Upamecano and Raphaël Varane were the centre-back pairing in Qatar, but only the former remains in the squad, and he may well be third choice for Didier Deschamps.
The midfield and attack remains more or less the same for France, with Antoine Greizmann sitting in the 10 behind either Olivier Giroud or Marcus Thuram, either side of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembélé. Premier League stars Moussa Diaby and Michael Olise – if he stays fit- provide France’s already stacked squad with further depth in attack.
England
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
There are several spots up for grabs between now and the start of the tournament. Will it be Luke Shaw or Ben Chilwell at left-back and who will partner Declan Rice in midfield? It will also be interesting to see how Southgate intends to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold and whether he’s better suited at right back, or starting alongside Rice.
Phil Foden looks like he will start on the left but faces plenty of competition in that spot through Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Anthony Gordon. If the likes of Guehi, James and Colwill return to full fitness and make the 23-man squad, they could force Southgate to re-think his best backline.
Germany
(4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Raum; Kroos, Gundogan; Musiala, Sane, Wirtz; Havertz
Back-to-back elimination from the group stages in Russia and Qatar sent German football into a disarray, and it looks like Nagelsmann is opting for a new-look side to put the 2014 World Cup winners back in contention.
Bayer Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah could start alongside Antonio Rudiger after his stellar performances this season. Florian Wirtz has also played a leading role for Xabi Alonso’s runaway Bundesliga leaders and scored a stunning goal after just seven seconds in Germany’s recent 2-0 victory over France.
Kai Havertz is expected to lead the line with Thomas Muller and Niclas Füllkrug as backups. Toni Kroos’ decision to renounce his retirement from international duties seems to be an astute one, as his experience alongside Ilkay Gundogan will be invaluable.
Spain
(4-3-3): Raya; Porro, Laporte, Le Normand, Grimaldo; Rodri, Pedri, Merino; Olmo, Morata, Yamal.
At first glance, Spain’s starting lineup in 2024 does not resemble the quality of the iconic 2010 team under Vicente del Bosque.
Luis de la Fuente new-look Spain side consists of experience and youth, and it will be all about finding the right balance. Pedro Porro’s performances for Spurs and Álex Grimaldo’s emergence with Bayer Leverkusen have boosted Spain’s options at full-back whilst teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is expected to start up front alongside regulars Alvaro Morata and Dani Olmo.
Spain will no doubt be sweating over the fitness of Yamal’s Barcelona teammates Pedri and Gavi, who have both been hampered by injuries this season. They are expected to recover in time, but their track record with injuries leaves an air of uncertainty surrounding the involvement in the summer.
Portugal
(4-3-3): Costa; Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Cancelo; Palhinha, B. Silva, Fernandes; Jota, Ronaldo, Leao.
Winners of the Euros in 2016, Portugal boast one of the best squads heading into the competition. Goncalo Inacio, Nelson Semedo, Antonio Silva and Joao Mario provide plenty of cover in defence with Ruben Dias and Pepe expected to be the starting pairing.
Head coach Roberto Martinez also has a stacked midfield to choose from although the current trio of Bruno Fernandes, Bernando Silva and Joao Pahinha will be hard to nudge out of the starting lineup. Diogo Jota will be expected to start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Leao but only if he makes a full recovery from his current knee injury. If not, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos and potentially Pedro Neto are feasible replacements.
Netherlands
(4-3-3): Verbruggen; Frimpong, Van Dijk, De Ligt, Ake, De Jong, Wieffer, Reijnders; Simons, Depay, Gakpo.
Ronald Koeman’s side have disappointed in recent tournaments but could cause an upset this summer with what on paper looks like a solid squad. Jeremie Frimpong will no doubt start at right back, with 16 Bundesliga goal involvements for Bayern Leverkusen this season. Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake will form the rest of the defence, which is probably the Netherlands’ strongest department.
If Frenkie De Jong and Jurrien Timber can recover from their respective injuries, then the Dutch’s chances of success in Germany will certainly be boosted.
Italy
(3-4-3): Vicario; Darmian, Mancini, Bastoni; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Dimarco; Chiesa, Pellegrini, Raspadori.
Domenico Berardi will be the noticeable absentee for Italy if he does not recover from his Achilles injury but they still have the talents of Federico Chiesa, Giacomo Raspadori, and Lorenzo Pellegrini to call upon.
In the midfield and wide areas is where Italy pose their strongest assets, with Nicola Barella expected to pair up alongside Jorginho, and Federico Dimarco and Giovanni Di Lorenzo deployed as the wing-backs.
Belgium
(4-3-3): Sels, Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Onana, De Ketelaere, De Bruyne; Bakayoko, Lukaku, Trossard.
Former RB Leipzig manager Domenico Tedesco is the new man in charge at Belgium and it will be a tough task to make his side contenders for the title.
Kevin De Bruyne is the obvious standout, and it’s imperative he is fit for the summer if Belgium are to have any chance after missing the recent friendlies with a minor injury. In attack, Loïs Openda, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard provide quality and depth but defence is where it might be problematic. 36-year-old Jan Vertonghen is expected to start alongside Leicester City’s Wout Faes whilst Timothy Castagne and Arthur Theate will most likely occupy the full-back positions.
