Group
E: Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Sweden
Belgium
An underachieving Belgium side will be hoping they
can bring European Championship glory to their nation this summer. The Belgians
spent the majority of last year on top of the world rankings, but have since
slipped down a place to second. Despite topping their group, they were slightly
unconvincing in qualification, failing to beat Wales on two occasions. They did
go on to win seven out of their other eight games, though. Belgium has a
fantastic balance between defence and attack, scoring 24 and conceding just 5.
Since their run to the quarter-finals of the world cup two years ago, they have
lost just twice in twenty three matches.
The quality of much of this squad is the envy of
most managers at this tournament; Marc Wilmots needs to work out a way of
getting the best out of his side on the big stage. Tottenham Hotspur’s
excellent centre-half, Toby Alderweireld, is the defensive mainstay of this
squad. His positioning is the best part of his game. Alderweireld is going to
have lead this back four, with the unfortunate loss of Vincent Kompany, who was
struck down with yet another muscle injury. Another Spurs defender in Jan
Vertonghen will line up in the defence, either in the centre or at left-back. Jordan
Lukaku, brother of Romelu, is another option on the left of the defence.
In midfield the options within the squad is
unbelievable. The vibrant Eden Hazard has to put a disappointing season with Chelsea
behind him; he is the stand-in captain of the side in Kompany’s absence. Elsewhere
they have speedster, Dries Mertens, he had a fabulous season with Napoli.
Box-to-box midfielder, Radja Nainggolan, ties the middle of the park together
for this Belgian side; he also loves a crunching tackle. If you watched this
seasons Champions League final, you will know just how good Yannick Carrasco
can be, he didn’t come on until half-time for Atletico Madrid, but he
completely changed the face of the game.
The forwards at Wilmots disposal is, again,
preposterous. Any of Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi or Michy
Batshuayi would walk into most teams at this tournament. The menacing pace of
Origi could see him get the nod, though.
How will they do?
If they turn up and play to their absolute best,
they will without doubt go far in this competition. It’s pretty unconceivable
that Belgium would not manage to make it through, but in the group of death,
anything can happen. If this team didn’t make it until at least the
semi-finals, it would be seen as a disappointing campaign for them. Just about
everyone fears this Belgian side.
Star
man – Kevin De Bruyne
The Manchester City attacking midfielder is a player
from the very top-drawer. De Bruyne looks dangerous every single time he gets the
ball, he is technically brilliant. He is the catalyst of this squad, has an abundance
of skill in his locker, can pick out a pass from anywhere and beat a man with
relative ease, he has also hit some emphatic strikes from long-range over the
last couple of years. It’s imperative that his team-mates provide the midfield
maestro with the ball as often as possible, he can hurt any side.
Italy
This is a national team most definitely on the
decline. It is the least talented Italy squad there has been in years – very
few of them would make the 2006 World Cup winning side. That being said, the
Italians still managed to go unbeaten in their qualifying group. They are
hardly a free-scoring team, and nor are they as solid as they have been in the
past. There is very little promise ahead of the Euros for them. They head into
the tournament having failed to beat any of England, Portugal, Croatia, Spain
or Germany over the last year, no wonder optimism is low.
Throughout qualification, Antonio Conte (who leaves
for Chelsea after the Euros), tried out many formations, he will likely opt for
a defensive-minded 3-4-3. The men at the back will probably be Juventus
stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli. Should they
decide on a different formation, the versatility of midfielder Alessandro
Florenzi will be utilised, for club side Roma he has played everywhere from
left-wing to right-back. A key-figure of Conte’s set-up is
Sunderland flop, Emanuele Giaccherini, many Italians are in disbelief that he
is still in the international picture. Southampton centre-forward Graziano
Pelle is the best striker in the squad, says everything about the lack of
quality they possess.
One of the better players in this team is
ever-present Roma holding player, Daniele De Rossi. He is the highest scoring
Italian midfielder of all time, with 17 goals from 102 caps. De Rossi has the
heavy burden of replacing the extravagant yet, ageing, Andrea Pirlo, as the
calm head in central midfield, but the highest paid player in Italian
football should be able to handle that. He will sit in front of the
defence and help soak up any pressure they come under. The experience of
38-year-old keeper Gianluigi Buffon will also be vital to this team.
How
will they do?
The Italians are another one of those teams that
always seem to be at their best when it comes to tournaments – they will need
to be at this one in particular. All three of their group opponents have it
within them to cause the Azzurri some real problems. Even if Italy does
progress through the group-stage, they certainly will not repeat the feat of
reaching the final like they did four years ago.
Star
man – Lorenzo Insigne
The Napoli star is the shining light of this Italian
squad; he is without doubt the most talented individual in the team. That is
why it is absurd that he was left out of the international fold for almost two
years; fortunately, Antonio Conte came to his senses back in March and decided
to include him once again. Insigne excels when faced up against a full-back, he
has an injection of pace and a lovely touch on the ball. The tricky winger
could be the difference for this Italian side.
Republic
of Ireland
Hard work and a positive approach to the game is how
this Ireland team made it to France. Martin O’Neill’s team has confidence and
composure. They was a nearly team under Trapattoni, but with O’Neill and Roy
Keane at the helm their fortunes have changed. The Republic made it through
courtesy of a play-off victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. In qualifying they
snatched a late equaliser in Munich against Germany before then defeating the
world champions 1-0 at home later on in their campaign. In their last three
matches, Ireland has failed to secure a win.
The engine room is very important to this team, and
with the dogged nature of Glenn Whelan and the gutsy play of James McCarthy
they have two reliable individuals. Out wide they have the tireless James
McClean, not always the most popular player, but he will do everything for the
cause. Just off the striker in a number 10 is Wes Hoolahan. This guy is underrated;
he plays with craft and guile and poses a huge threat to the opposition, which
adds another dimension to this side. Centre-back is a bit of a suspect position
for this team. With an ageing John O’Shea and an error-prone Richard Keogh,
this could be the Achilles heel of the Irish team.
This is going to sound a bit odd, but full-backs
Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady will have a huge impact on the offensive end.
Both of them love to get forward at every opportunity and look to provide an
outlet out wide. Legendary striker Robbie Keane will be hoping to play some; he
had fitness problems of late. The Irish captain is the nation’s record
goalscorer with 67. Stoke City’s Jon Walters is another option up top. He may
not be the most pleasing player on the eye by any means, but he does the job.
Walters will probably line-up in a position slightly to the right-hand side.
How
will they do?
Ireland will be a tough proposition for any of their
group E opponents. They do have a stern test on their hands but this is a squad
doesn’t lack any belief and will fancy their chances of making it through.
However, it is usually star quality that guides teams to glory and the lack of
that in this squad means that the Irish may not progress very far in this
tournament. It would be a huge achievement for them to make it out of the
group-stage.
Star
man – Shane Long
Sweden
The Swedes are usually a tough outfit when it comes
to tournaments, as England have found out on several occasions. And this year
they should be no different. Erik Hamren is a big fan of playing a conservative
4-4-2; they give little away but can be dangerous when breaking forward. Sweden
ended up in third-place, having failed to beat either Austria or Russia. They
earned a hard-fought 4-3 playoff victory over Scandinavian rivals, Denmark. In
their last Euros warm-up game they beat Wales by three goals to nil.
Experienced centre-half, Andreas Granqvist is the
man charged with leading the back four. The former Wigan Athletic man will
likely be partnered by emerging youngster, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf,
21. After three years in Portugal, he is just starting to become a regular
figure in the Benfica side. The full-backs will be Celtic’s Mikael Lustig and
Norwich City’s Martin Olsson. Moving up the field we find versatile midfielder,
Sebastian Larsson, a proficient technician from dead-ball situations. Alongside
Larsson will be journeyman, Kim Källström, he has been a fanatastic servant to
this national team, taking to the field 128 times.
How will they do?Given that Sweden finds themselves in an incredibly difficult group, they have a demanding task ahead of them if they are to make it through. The game against Ireland is make or break for this team. They simply have to win. A distinct lack of skill and talent in this squad could see an early exit for the Swedes.
Star man – Zlatan Imbrahimovic
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