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Hazard's back but Draxler and Germany are on the rise

Euro 2016’s Round of 16 sorted the men out from the boys, and sounded the death knell for a number of seriously fancied sides, with Spain, Croatia and England all making ignominious exits. In contrast, the likes of Germany, Italy and Belgium slid effortlessly through the gears to make their case for a genuine title tilt. TODAY’s Euro analyst man Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) has been studying the action, and here’s his review of a dramatic few days…

The Germany team saluting their fans after their 3-0 destruction of Slovakia in their Round of 16 clash. Photo: AP

The Germany team saluting their fans after their 3-0 destruction of Slovakia in their Round of 16 clash. Photo: AP

Euro 2016’s Round of 16 sorted the men out from the boys, and sounded the death knell for a number of seriously fancied sides, with Spain, Croatia and England all making ignominious exits. In contrast, the likes of Germany, Italy and Belgium slid effortlessly through the gears to make their case for a genuine title tilt. TODAY’s Euro analyst man Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) has been studying the action, and here’s his review of a dramatic few days…

 

Best Player – Eden Hazard (Belgium)

Eden Hazard running off with the ball as Hungary's Zoltan Gera looks on. Photo: Reuters

Where was this guy n the Premier League last season? On the evidence of Eden Hazard’s twinkle-toed display against Hungary, the pint-sized winger has shoved the pale imitation of his former self back into the lazy drawer.

In Toulouse, the 25-year-old started fabulously well, and the longer Belgium’s last-16 clash went on, the better he got.

Toying with defenders every time the ball was at his feet, Hazard’s scorching turn of pace left the Magyars eating his dust.

Gliding past defenders all night, his run and cross assist for Michy Batshuayi’s goal was outstanding, and the Chelsea man crowned a 10/10 performance with a sumptuous individual goal too. He was virtually unplayable.

 

Best Youngster – Julian Draxler (Germany)

Julian Draxler scoring Germany' third goal against Slovakia. Photo: Reuters

At 22, I’m pushing it to call the German wide man a ‘youngster’ but his vivacious run-out against Slovakia was so awesome, I couldn’t leave him out.

Recalled to the starting XI, you could see how focused the Wolfsburg man was on seizing his opportunity.

Every time he took up possession, Draxler tried to commit defenders, and because he’s capable of outfoxing them on the inside and the outside, he continually tied them in knots.

His devilishly clever run and cross for Mario Gomez’s goal oozed class, and a technically polished volley at the far post to make it 3-0 crowned a near-perfect showing.

He’s a two-footed winger we’re bound hear plenty more about.

 

Best Goal – Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland) v Poland

Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri scoring what will be a strong contender for goal of the tournament. Photo: Reuters

Wow. Just wow. The impish Swiss star took the roof off in Saint-Etienne with the undisputed goal of the tournament so far.

Readjusting his feet to latch onto a loose clearance 18 yards out, Shaqiri didn’t let the fact that his back was facing the Polish goal stop him attempting one of the most beautiful overhead kicks I’ve ever seen.

Reminiscent of Pele, in the wonderful film ‘Escape to Victory’, his stunning scissor-kick arrowed its way into the corner to take our breath away.

If anyone betters this strike at Euro 2016 I can’t wait to see it.

 

Best Save – David de Gea (Spain) v Italy

David De Gea pulling off that brilliant reflex save off Graziano Pelle's header. Photo: Reuters

If De Gea hadn’t been in such tip-top form, the dethroned champions would have gone home from Paris in utter disgrace. His heroics prevented what could have been a savage beating.

Taking pride of place as the best save, is the Manchester United keeper’s sensational reflex parry low to his left from a thumping Graziano Pelle header in the first period. With very little time to shift his feet or hands, De Gea’s rapid swoop and firm hand bore all the hallmarks of an elite keeper.

The Round of 16 matches featured a stream of super saves, but this one was the most difficult to execute.

 

Best Tactics – Antonio Conte (Italy) v Spain, and Lars Lagerback (Iceland) v England

Both Antonio Conte (left; being mobbed by his jubilant players) ensured that his team disrupted Spain's rhythm with their aggressive 3-5-2 shape, while Lars Lagerback (right; sharing the touchline with England coach Roy Hodgson) opted to press England higher up the pitch tah expected. Photos: Getty Images and Reuters

I can’t split these two tactically exceptional performances. Both managers deserve a hearty pat on the back.

Conte’s game plan was to get in Spain’s faces, and disrupt their rhythm with a balanced but aggressive 3-5-2 shape.

Motivated to the max, and playing like a proper team, they had too much structure and appetite for the reigning champs to cope with. When they picked Vicente Del Bosque’s side off in injury time to make it 2-0, it was the least they deserved.

Iceland weren’t up against much opposition, but I enjoyed the way Lagerback opted to engage England higher up the pitch than expected. Playing with greater ambition, yet never wavering from their 4-4-1-1 shape, his team outfought and outthought Hodgson’s superstars. Scoring from another clever long throw routine will also have pleased the gaffer.

 

Best Team – Germany

Mario Gomez (centre) celebrating with his teammates after scoring Germany's second goal against Slovakia. Photo: AP

Joachim Loew’s world champions are looking increasingly ominous. So smooth, so fluid, so incisive, they bossed Slovakia from start to finish with a performance of alarming quality, albeit against pretty weak opponents.

I think it’s telling that Germany have never opted to rest key players.

Instead, they’ve made sensible tweaks at the right times, improving the side - and now the momentum is building.

If they can get past Italy in the last eight, they look like winners to me.

 

Worst Team – England

England's Joe Hart, Dele Alli and Gary Cahill collapsing onto the field in dejection at the end of the game. Photo: Reuters

No shape. No pattern of play. No hunger.

No belief. No football intelligence. No consistency of team selection. No tactics.

Playing off the cuff as individuals, led by the highest-paid manager at Euro 2016 (who was out of his depth), this rank awful England side were a shambolic embarrassment when succumbing to Iceland.

They did not resemble anything like a ‘team’. It is the single worst performance I can ever remember my nation producing.

 

Flop Star – Harry Kane (England) v Iceland

Harry Kane covering his face in frustration after another effort goes astray against Iceland. Photo: Reuters

I’m a big fan, but England’s top striker endured a truly miserable Euros.

He wasn’t necessarily any worse than his teammates in Nice, but the poor quality of his link play and his abysmally wayward free kicks, made you wonder if an intruder was masquerading in some kind of Harry Kane mask.

His rise to superstardom has been wonderful but against Iceland (and throughout the competition), the Spurs man has been woeful.

 

Team of the Tournament So Far  (4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper - Manuel Neuer (Germany): Yet to concede a goal, the planet’s best goalkeeper looks the most assured number one at the tournament. He pulled off another fantastic save against the Slovaks to enhance his reputation.

Defence:

Right-back - Darijo Srna (Croatia): Showing immense character to play on despite the death of his father, the Croatian skipper was a 7 or 8 out of 10 in every game. He didn’t deserve to be on the losing side against Portugal.

Centre-back - Jerome Boateng (Germany): His distribution has been sensational all tournament, and the Bayern ace has looked mountainous in a defensive capacity too. He even scored a lovely volley in the last 16.

Centre-back - Leonardo Bonucci (Italy): Aside from a blip against the Republic of Ireland, Bonucci has been colossal. His reading of the game is exceptional, as is the Juventus man’s defensive nous and passing range. He’s Italy’s leader.

Left-back - Ben Davies (Wales): Playing on the left side of a back three, the Spurs fringe player has enjoyed a phenomenal Euro 2016. Aggressive, intelligent and composed, the Welshman has barely put a foot wrong.

Midfield:

Defensive midfield - Toni Kroos (Germany): Poetry in motion. There isn’t a smoother midfield operator on French soil this summer than Kroos, who is keeping the German engine oiled with some serenely confident displays.

Left centre-midfield - Eder (Italy): The 29-year-old has been one of the tournament’s surprise packages. Extremely fast and direct, Eder has given every opponent a host of problems. His goal against Sweden was a beauty.

Right centre-midfield - Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium): Belgium’s creative talent has been a model of consistency. Always in the thick of the action,  De Bruyne’s graceful movement and end product have been of a very high standard. He’s been a joy to watch.

Right midfield - Gareth Bale (Wales): Wales’ hero has been the difference maker in every single game. He may not have wowed us with too many tricks, but his impact in the final third has been super-destructive. He’s a big-game player.

Left midfield - Dimitri Payet (France): There’s a slight danger Payet is fading, but West Ham’s playmaker was so immense early on that he retains his place. Whenever France click into top gear, he’s always at the heart of their best work.

Attack:

Centre-forward - Antoine Griezmann (France): Once he played more central in the 2nd half, Griezmann came alive against the Irish, scoring a tremendous brace. It backed up a valuable contribution he’d already made in the Albania game. For a small man he’s a big threat in the air, as well as on the ground.

 

About the author:

Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of the English game. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for TODAY and several popular football websites. Follow him @adrianjclarke.

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