Cologne –
With the shaky German progress into the second round, the group phase of the EM 2021 came to an end on Wednesday (23 June). Several favorites and some surprisingly strong outsiders fought much more confidently than the DFB selection. The EXPRESS top eleven in the preliminary round is correspondingly colorful.
- EM 2021: The EXPRESS eleven of the preliminary round
- Cristiano Ronaldo top scorer with five goals
- No German national player in the top team
Due to the large fluctuations within the three group matches against France (0: 1), Portugal (4: 2) and Hungary (2: 2), no German national player made it into the selection.
DFB discovery Robin Gosens (26) earned the top grade in the furious win against Portugal, but the straight six in the following game against Hungary knocked him out of the top team.
Goalkeeper: Robin Olsen (Sweden)
Twice the tall goalkeeper (1.96 meters), who was loaned to FC Everton by AS Roma in the past season, only had to reach behind him at the European Championships, both times defeated world footballer Robert Lewandowski (32) in groups -Finals with Poland.
Sweden’s goalkeeper Robin Olsen intercepts a ball in front of Poland’s goal scorer Robert Lewandowski in the European Championship match on June 23. Despite a strong performance, he could not prevent two hits from the world footballer.
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Olsen (31), who already played strongly at the 2018 World Cup and conceded only four goals in five games, saved Sweden a point against Spain (0-0) and the victory against Slovakia (1-0). After a disappointing season as a substitute keeper in Everton, the Swedes (contract in Rome until 2023) should not lack change offers after the strong EM.
Defense: Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)
Strong technique, impressive physique and a surprising eye for goal: Denzel Dumfries (25) clearly stood out in the sovereign preliminary round appearances of the Netherlands. The right-back from Eindhoven has already scored two goals and prepared another.
Denzel Dumfries turns jubilantly after his goal in the European Championship match between the Netherlands and Austria on June 17th in Amsterdam.
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Dumfries had previously achieved three goals in his 19 international matches. It is quite possible that, thanks to this increase in performance, the PSV captain will be able to plow the flank in a top league in the coming season.
Defense: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
For a long time it was questionable whether Bonucci (34) would even get second place in the Italian defense next to club colleague Giorgio Chiellini (36). In the end, however, coach Roberto Mancini (56) decided on the Juve duo – and did everything right.
In the match against Switzerland on June 16, Leonardo Bonucci took over the Italian captaincy from his club colleague Giorgio Chiellini.
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The Squadra Azzurra walked into the round of 16 without conceding a goal, Bonucci confidently held the defense together in all three games. First with Chiellini, after his injury then at the side of Francesco Acerbi (33) and Andrea Bastoni (22).
Defense: Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands)
In the first European Championship game against Ukraine (3-2), Oranje missed his ailing defensive boss painfully – and got into the back of the pool.
Matthijs de Ligt grabs the ball from Christoph Baumgartner’s foot in the European Championship game between the Netherlands and Austria (June 17).
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In the following games against Austria (2-0) and North Macedonia (3-0), the 21-year-old de Ligt took over the command and helped the Elftal with a resolute duel and a routine build-up game to two sovereign victories without conceding.
Right midfield: Memphis Depay (Netherlands)
In view of the previous European Championship appearances of the Dutch whirlwind, it was not surprising that FC Barcelona announced their commitment for the coming season during the preliminary round.
Often Memphis Depay could only be stopped with a foul, like here in the duel with Austria’s Aleksandar Dragovic in the European Championship game on June 17th.
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Depay (27), who would have missed the European Championship with an injury last year, used his second chance with extremely dangerous dribbles and the strong recovery of three scorer points (two goals, one assist). He was the most conspicuous man in the strong Dutch offensive.
Central midfield: Manuel Locatelli (Italy)
Only the injury of PSG star Marco Verratti (28) flushed the internationally unknown midfielder from US Sassuolo into the Italian starting line-up. There he was one of the outstanding players in the first two games. Especially the double pack including the exemplary introduction of his first goal against Switzerland left a lasting impression.
Manuel Locatelli was the outstanding man of the evening with two goals in Italy’s European Championship game against Switzerland on June 16.
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In the final group game against Wales (1-0), Locatelli (23) was spared the Italians who had already qualified for the round of 16. A well-deserved break after two impressive performances.
Central midfield: Luka Modric (Croatia)
35 years old and still no trace of old age: Without captain Luka Modric, Croatia would have had to pack their bags after the European Championship preliminary round.
Luka Modric’s fine goal on the outside of the instep in the game between Scotland and Croatia on June 22nd in Glasgow was one of the most beautiful of the European Championship.
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But the world footballer of 2018 was already the best Croatian in the opening defeat against England (0: 1) and then carried his team away with strong performances. Modric went ahead with the 1: 1 against the Czech Republic with ball security and creativity and paved the way to the knockout phase in the 3: 1 against Scotland with his dream goal to 2: 1.
Left midfield: Joakim Maehle (Denmark)
Only in winter did the right-footed player from Belgium move to Atalanta Bergamo in the Italian Serie A, where he immediately conquered a regular place on the right wing. In the Danish national team, however, Maehle (24) plays on the left side, where he is defensive and regularly involved in the offensive game.
Joakim Maehle finished the Danish European Championship victory against Russia on Monday (June 21) with the goal to make it 4-1.
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Coach Kasper Hjulmand (49) deliberately relies on a right foot on the left, which repeatedly pulls inwards and participates in the combination game. Like the entire Danish team, Maehle recovered well from the shock of teammate Christian Eriksen (29) and improved from game to game. The gala with its own goal in a 4-1 win against Russia was the high point for the time being.
Attacking midfield: Emil Forsberg (Sweden)
Hard work against the ball instead of offensive power football: The contrast between the roles at RB Leipzig and the Swedish national team couldn’t be greater for Emil Forsberg (29). But the creative gamer always succeeds in adapting it impressively.
Emil Forsberg scores the early opening goal in the European Championship game between Sweden and Poland on June 23.
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Against Spain he bravely took part in the dogged defensive work, against Slovakia and Poland he then appeared more offensively and with three goals made a large contribution to the Scandinavians’ round of 16.
Center-Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Three games, five goals – and a lot of attention for his aversion to European Championship sponsor Coca-Cola: Cristiano Ronaldo (36) made headlines on and off the pitch. In all three games he scored at least once, against Hungary (3-0) and France (2-2) even twice.
Cristiano Ronaldo was able to start his famous goal celebration twice in Portugal’s European Championship match against France on June 23 in Budapest.
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So Ronaldo goes into the knockout round as the clear leader of the scorers list and punishes critics such as ex-national player Mario Basler (52) lies – as usual with goals instead of words.
Center-Forward: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Once ridiculed in England for its limited range of motion, the Belgian storm buffalo has developed into an all-rounder at Inter Milan over the past two years. Lukaku (28) has scored three times at the European Championships, was also tirelessly on the move, created spaces and created dangerous chances for his colleagues.
Romelu Lukaku (left) was also on Belgium’s top scorer list in the European Championship match against Finland.
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Lukakus’ jubilation remains unforgettable after his first tournament goal, which he dedicated to Christian Eriksen, who had collapsed a few hours earlier, with a message on the TV camera.
Top eleven of the European Championship preliminary round
Overall, players from seven countries made it into the top eleven of the group stage. All eleven players are still in the race with their teams and can therefore recommend themselves for a place in the eleven of the tournament.