Euro 2024: Brazil, Germany and Spain on deck, Haaland on forced rest… all about the matches of the day

by time news

Launched this Thursday by the convincing success of England in Italy (2-1), the Euro 2024 qualifiers in Germany (June 14-July 14) were then marked by the plumed victory of the vice- French world champions against the Netherlands on Friday (4-0). Other great nations enter the fray this Saturday with, in particular, Croatia, 3rd in the Qatari world or the Spanish Roja determined to turn their backs on a disappointing World Cup. It is also the start of the school year for Brazil against Morocco in Tangier in an emotional friendly match due to the tribute paid to King Pelé who died on December 29, 2022.

Spain-Norway (8:45 p.m.): La Roja begins a new chapter

Like many other big names, Spain took advantage of the lowering of the World Cup curtain to mark the start of a new era. A revival embodied by the coach appointed on December 8: Luis de la Fuente, replacing Luis Enrique after a disappointing World Cup (elimination in the round of 16 against Morocco; 0-0, 0-3 on tab).

Rojita coach since 2018, De la Fuente has renewed the Roja group for his first time at the head of the A, against Norway for the qualifiers for Euro 2024: exit the retirees Sergio Busquets and Sergio Ramos, but also Carlos Soler, Ferran Torres, Marcos Asensio or even Pablo Sarabia, while David De Gea is still on the sidelines. Alvaro Morata has been named captain of a deliberately revitalized selection, which includes some lesser-known names such as Pedro Porro, David Garcia, Borja Iglesias or Joselu.

In Malaga against Norway, deprived of Erling Haaland for injury, Spain hopes to start a new glorious chapter, she who has been running for too long behind a success in major international competition: the last was during the Euro 2012, more than ten years ago. An eternity for her. It will probably be necessary for this to deviate a little from the haunting principles of the pick-up and the game of possession at all costs.

Germany, Brazil… big teams put on their crampons

Automatically qualified for the Euro which will take place on its soil, Germany is on a mission: to rebuild on the ruins of its last World Cup which was totally failed, with a road exit from the group stage… as in 2018. world 2014, the Mannschaft has become a paper tiger, a shame when you take a look at its workforce. Hansi Flick’s men, kept in place despite the immense Qatari disappointment, receive Peru in Mainz.

Led by Renato Tapia or André Carrillo, Bicolor is a South American nation not to be underestimated. A first friendly that looks like a good test, before another even more important Tuesday against Belgium. The Mannschaft has one year to ramp up and allow a new generation to hatch. Flick has decided for this rally to do without Leroy Sané, Antonio Rüdiger, Nicklas Süle and Ilkay Gündogan in addition to Thomas Müller. On the other hand, five new players have been called up (Josha Vagnoman, Marius Wolf, Mergim Berisha, Kevin Schade and Felix Nmecha).

Deprived of Neymar, Brazil also intends to get back on track after its disappointment at the 2022 World Cup. interim since the departure of Tite and hearing a successor (Carlo Ancelotti?) -, the Seleção is playing a friendly gala match against Morocco, in Tangier (11 p.m.). Three months after the historic epic of the Atlas Lions at the World Cup, with a semi-final at stake, the reunion between the selection of Walid Regragui and the 65,000 Moroccan fans expected to be warm and festive.

Croatia-Wales (8:45 p.m.): Modric is still there, not Bale

“I will continue until the final phase of the League of Nations (next June, editor’s note) and then we will see. From the final whistle of the small final of the 2022 World Cup won by Croatia, Luka Modric swept away all suspense. The time for international retirement is not for now for the indestructible metronome, 37 years old.

While the Vatreni face Wales this Saturday evening, then Turkey on March 28 on behalf of the qualifications for Euro 2024, the 2018 Golden Ball could even be tempted to push to the European Championship in Germany (June 14-July 14). He will then be 38 springs, soon 39, and will not be far from the bar of 200 selections. Almost twice as many as Gareth Bale, not present for this match in Split after having definitively stopped at 111 caps with the Dragons.

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