FC Barcelona | Balance of Barça players on the first day of Euro 2024
Yesterday, Tuesday, the first of three days of the Euro 2024 group stage ended. Up to eleven FC Barcelona players have been called up by their national teams to participate in this competition. Everyone had minutes except Ter Stegen, Fermin, the injured Lewandowski and Joao Felix.
The Blaugranas participating in Euro 2024 are divided into six teams. Germany, Portugal, France and Spain added three points on their debut, while Denmark drew and Poland lost.
Next, we will look at how Barça representatives performed on the first day of the European Team Championship:
Ter Stegen
The German goalkeeper remained on the bench, in the shadow of Manuel Neuer. There was a debate surrounding the German team’s goal, with the Blaugrana player expressing discomfort at not wearing gloves. Nagelsmann resolved the dispute by guaranteeing that Bayern Munich would be the starting goalkeeper.
I’m canceling
He positioned himself as a left winger, sharing the flank with Rafael Leao. He was very active and successful in both offensive and defensive tasks. He was replaced by Semedo in a triple substitution for Bob Martinez in the 90th minute, just before newly introduced Conceicao scored the final score 2–1.
Christensen
He played the full 90 minutes for Denmark, positioning himself as a central defender in a three-man line accompanied by Andersen and Vestergaard. He retreated from his position, which we are used to playing for the Blaugrana, and found himself in the center of the field. He did not lose a single ball while building the game, won five duels and was not dribbled. He did not appear in the photograph of the Janza goal that marked the final score of 1–1.
Kunde
He also played the full 90 minutes and positioned himself on France’s right flank, forming a defensive line with Upamecano, Saliba and Theo Hernandez. He put in a very convincing performance, demonstrating his defensive abilities convincingly. Moreover, he did so under the watchful eye of Heiko Westermann, Flick’s assistant in his new phase as culé coach, who traveled to Düsseldorf to watch the Austria-France match.
Pedri
He was in Spain’s midfield for the first hour of the match against Croatia. Interestingly, this was his first official match with Luis de la Fuente on the bench since his brace against Northern Ireland in the last preparatory friendly. He assisted Fabian in scoring the Reds’ second goal and much of his side’s hopes for the tournament rest with his boots.
Fermin
He was one of the candidates not included in the final list, but on his senior debut two weeks ago he convinced De la Fuente to stay focused. He didn’t play against Croatia, although if the Spanish team does their homework against Italy, he could get minutes against Albania.
Gundogan
He played 90 minutes of the tournament’s opening night, in which Germany decisively beat Scotland 5–1. He did this in the more advanced double-pivot position formed by Andric and Kroos, having greater influence over three-quarters of the field. He received a very tough challenge from Porteous in the box, which led to the Scot being sent off and a maximum penalty converted by Havertz at the end of the break.
Ferran Torres
He entered the field in the 86th minute, replacing Lamin Yamal, and spent ten minutes in the red in stoppage time. He seemed eager, but the truth is that he is not among the candidates to start for the Reds. The undisputed Morata, Lamine and Nico Williams are ahead; in addition to Dani Olmo and Oyarzabal.
Lewandowski
The striker injured his knee in a friendly against Turkey on June 10 and was absent from Poland’s debut against the Netherlands, which they lost 1-2. His coach was confident he could get the Blaugrana back for the second matchday, which they play this Friday against Austria.
Joao Felix
He remained on the bench, failing to make his debut in Portugal’s first match. Robert Martinez chose Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leao in attack, and in the second half he came on with Diogo Jota. He will have a new opportunity against Turkey on Saturday.
Lamin Yamal
He made his debut as the youngest footballer to play in a European Cup match. He received a lot of attention in the match against Croatia and the La Masia star did not disappoint. He was one of the best in the game and even assisted with a brilliant cross that Carvajal finished into the back of the net for the final score of 3-0 just before half-time.