Euro 2024 Semi-Final Preview: France vs Spain, Netherlands vs England
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France - Spain: Les Bleus & La Roja clash in Munich
France are hoping to make it to a second major tournament final in a row against a Spain side who have impressed all over the pitch at UEFA Euro 2024 so far. Didier Deschamps' men have been increasingly leaving it late to progress through the tournament, needing an 85th-minute winner against Belgium, and a tense penalty shootout against Portugal to progress to the semi-finals. Les Bleus will likely see the return of Adrien Rabiot to the starting line-up following a return from suspension, whilst Kylian Mbappé is hoping to be back to fitness after asking to be substituted in France's quarter-final.
Speaking at France’s pre-match press conference ahead Les Bleus‘ Euro 2024 semi-final clash against Spain, manager Didier Deschamps gave an update on Kylian Mbappé after the former PSG man couldn’t continue into the second period of extra-time against Portugal.
“He came off after a complicated 110 minutes [against Portugal]," said Deschamps. "There’s no point in him staying on the pitch with a bad feeling. We did everything we could to get him back to full fitness, and I’m convinced he’s been at his best since the start.”
“It’s not just to do with the last match, it’s everything he had before that, with the end of the season,” said Deschamps when going into the reasons behind Mbappé’s struggling form at Euro 2024. “It’s everything he had before that, with the end of the season, a back problem, the trauma he suffered (to his nose). It could have stopped for him. He needs to digest and get used to the new conditions. He’ll do everything he can to be at his best.”
Meanwhile, Luis de la Fuente's Spain side eliminated tournament hosts Germany in the previous round, completing a flawless run in the tournament so far by winning all of their games (only the third side to do so). It will be the sixth meeting between the two sides at a major tournament, with France having won the first four, and Spain winning their most recent meeting in the Euro 2012 quarter finals. Boasting a midfield which has seen a resurgent PSG man Fabian Ruiz link up with Manchester City man Rodri, with Leipzig man Dani Olmo ready to step in for the injured Pedri.
- Predicted France lineup: Maignan; T.Hernandez, Upamecano, Saliba, Koundé; Rabiot, Kanté, Tchouaméni; Mbappé, Griezmann, Kolo Muani, Mbappé
- Predicted Spain lineup: Simon; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams
Netherlands - England: Koeman's Oranje stand in the way of consecutive Euro finals for the Three Lions
The Three Lions are hoping for their second successive Euro final as they hope to qualify against a resurgent Dutch side who have been on their own journey in Germany. England were relieved to edge past Switzerland on penalties (5-3) in Düsseldorf on Saturday evening, whilst the Netherlands managed a comeback win (2-1) against Turkey.
Both sides have had room for improvement during the tournament, with the Dutch seemingly 20 minutes away from elimination and the English needing to come from behind against Switzerland and Slovakia to get to the semi-finals.The Three Lions should have no fresh injury concerns, but much like France their faltering attack is a cause for concern. Harry Kane has scored twice this tournament, but struggled against Switzerland. Meanwhile, Netherlands' Cody Gakpo has been promising in recent games as he looks to seal a potential tournament top scorer spot.
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