As far as punch is concerned, Madrid rules. He is the king of the scorers so far Euro Cup, with up to five blows, surpassing the records of Dortmund and Ajax (4), in their wake with four different gunmen. Madrid contemplates its little hand: Carvajal, Modric, Bellingham, Güler and Mbappé have already scored in the tournament so far. All of them are still going ahead, except Modric, who was eliminated in an edition that is leaving some light… and some shadows. More scratches than sparkles.
Nacho
A delicate edition on a personal level, as he acknowledged yesterday at a press conference: “They have not been easy days for me, with so many things on my mind”. While playing, with Laporte out of action, his exit to Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia was closed; his farewell to Real Madrid after almost 24 years of service. A life. He played the first game, against Croatiaputting together a great performance, but it ended up ‘touched’ and gave up the position for the next two. Laporte entered. From here and with the still captain of Real Madrid (he still has three days of service left) recovered, the debate opens on whether he should return to the eleven. In total, therefore, it accumulates 90 minutes.
Carvajal
One of the names of the season remains the same at the European Championship. His goal in the Champions League final was not enough, that in Spain’s opening match, against Croatia, he scored again with a shot inside the area. It was the first blow by a Real Madrid player in this edition. A goal, just before half-time, decisive in sentencing and quelling any option of a checkered reaction. In total he has disputed 180 minutesresting in the third match, against Albania.
Joselu
Little prominence, for the moment. De La Fuente has handed over ownership to Morata and is pulling Oyarzabal as a first replacement. Joselu was the reference in the match against Albania, showing off his ability to set up center backs and act as an offensive leader, but without luck in front of goal. In total, he has disputed 72 minutes.
Mendy
Missingalthough he was in the running, because Deschamps, whether you like it or not, considers Théo Hernandez a fixture. Faithful to what he brings with his incursions close to the touchline and the defensive firmness that he gives off. Mendy, who had not been on a list for almost two years (from September 2022) has broken down a door; but the eleven, not yet. Pending challenge. Van 0 minutes.
Tchouameni
From less to more. Was alternate in the first match, giving in to the emergence of a Kanté who, despite playing in Arabia, demonstrated an outstanding level. He beat her. But he entered in the second, playing alongside him and repeated in the third. He has consolidated himself and Deschamps sees him ahead of Camavinga. In total, he accumulates 171 minutes and aims for eleven in the final phase.
Camavinga
Surprisingly, is playing a very secondary role. So far he has not been a starter in any of the three games, but that is not all: he has not even played half an hour in any of the three nights. In the first he came out to play 19′, nothing in the second and only 29′ in the third. Accumulate, therefore, 48 minutesThere is something about Tchouameni that Deschamps likes more.
Mbappé
One of the proper names so far in the Euro Cup. His broken nose In the first game it has conditioned everything. He went to the hospital and, after a superficial intervention, was able to continue wearing an ostentatious mask. Fortunately for him, That incident points more to a strong deviation than to a serious break.But the need to undergo surgery after the Euros, even if it is for a minor intervention, remains on the table. He did not play a minute in the second match, but he did reappear in the third, transforming a penalty which was the first goal of his career in a European Championship.
Rüdiger
Indisputable, has played all three group stage matches, with the blemish of his own goal on the first matchday (inconsequential, since the match was already 5-0). He ended up ‘touched’ against Switzerland and is a doubt for the round of 16. A serious problem for Nagelsmann, because Tah, the Kaiser of Leverkusen and his teammate in the Mannschaft, is sanctioned.
Kroos
He is, with 326 passes, the one who has given the most in the entire Euro Cup (exceeding Barella’s 221). Helm of Germany and undisputed footballer: Except for 10′ in the opening match, he has played every possible minute. Nagelsmann’s team finds in him just the piece it was missing: a touch footballer in the midfield, who can free up Andrich to make the work more physical. He tandemalthough in the last moments of the group stage it has lost steam, It proved to work like a charm..
Bellingham
Sweet and sour taste. He started shining and marking (the winning goal against Serbia), but has since waned. The poor level of England does not accompany, a team with absolutely extraordinary talent but which, in the hands of Southgate, conveys the sensation of having abdicated the right to command. Of proposing. Of taking a step forward. It is almost a utopia to excel in a project like this, but it does not mean that Jude is still not able to see 100% physically. The machinery of Three Lions fails and, despite everything, the team is in the second round and gallops on the ‘easy’ side.
Güler
His great goal in the first match, against Georgia, opposes the best of the tournament. A spectacular left foot shot to unclog the game and sink the net from more than 25 meters. ORa genius only within the reach of someone who, as Ancelotti said, loves the ball. The substitution in the second match was very loud, but he came back in the third and scared away ghosts. It is fundamental to Türkiye’s aspirations. Non-negotiable.
Lunin and Modric
The two that have already remained eliminated. He goalie He had a bad day in the first match, against Romania and lost his positionwhile Lukedespite making Croatia dream of second place, saw Zaccagni’s blow in the last minute from the bench. Modric was being key. And putting on a great tournament. This KO has a domino effect: both are already on vacation and will be part of the expedition heading to the stage from the United Stateswith takeoff on July 28. The schedules of the three games are already known.
