Germany vs Scotland: Preview, predictions and lineups

Euro 2024 gets underway on Friday night as Germany take on Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Group A.

The atmosphere isn’t quite as fervent in Germany compared to the start of the 2006 World Cup – the last major tournament hosted by the three-time European Championships – but a bright start this summer will undoubtedly capture the nation.

A productive March saw optimism emerge from the abyss following a dire 2023, with Germany struggling to impose themselves on the grand international stage since they were crowned world champions in 2014.

Julian Nagelsmann has a gifted squad at his disposal, one boosted by Toni Kroos’ return to the international scene, and they’ll be expected to put on a show in Friday’s curtain-raiser despite their flat performances against Ukraine and Greece heading into the tournament.

Scotland are unfancied in Group A, and manager Steve Clarke has set the realistic aim of four points in a bid to qualify for the round of 16. The Scots fell flat on their faces at Euro 2020, scoring just once on their way to a group stage exit, but an impressive qualifying campaign for this tournament has left some hopeful that they could pull off a surprise or two this summer.

Here’s 90min’s preview of Friday’s Euro 2024 opener.

Germany vs Scotland H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad is packed with attacking talent, with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala poised to complement Kai Havertz up top. Havertz will operate as a false nine on Friday.

Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic has been ruled out of the tournament with tonsillitis and replaced by Emre Can.

Jonathan Tah is set to partner Antonio Rudiger at centre-back, while Maximilian Mittelstadt will offer width from left-back.

Germany predicted lineup vs Scotland (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Kroos, Andrich; Wirtz, Gundogan, Musiala; Havertz.