Germany meet France at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, in a blockbuster semi-final of 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
Eight-time champions – Germany are bidding to qualify for a ninth Women’s Euro final, whilst France are chasing their first major final in all competitions.
The winner of this tie will meet England at Wembley Stadium in the Final on Sunday 31 July.
Team News
Klara Buhl is ruled out for Germany after testing positive for Coronavirus and is currently in self-isolation, meaning that Tabea Wabmuth could replace her in the starting line-up.
France have no fresh injury concerns to report and manager – Corinne Diacre could name an unchanged line-up.
Wendie Renard looks set to start in defence after shaking off a minor back injury suffered near the end of their extra-time win over Netherlands in the Quarter-Finals.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto remains absent with a tournament-ending knee injury.
Stat Attack
- Germany have won their two previous meetings against France at Women’s Euros which came in Group Stage of 2005 & 09 tournaments (W2), prevailing 8-1 on aggregate across both matches. .
- France are chasing their first victory over Germany at major tournaments (D1, L3).
- Alexandra Popp has scored once in each of Germany’s four matches this tournament, of which three of her four goals came after half-time.
- Germany have advanced from eight of nine previous semi-finals at Women’s Euros, only failing to do so in 1993 against Italy after losing on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
- France are appearing in their first semi-final at Women’s Euros, yet have lost two previous appearances at this stage in 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics to USA and Japan respectively (L2).
Prediction
Having clinched four wins without conceding, Germany come into this match as favourites given their clinical high-pressing performances, yet they were incredibly wasteful across their Quarter-Final victory over Austria which can’t be repeated against a stubborn French opposition.
France though struggled to break down a difficult Dutch defence in their Quarter-Final win which required a penalty in extra-time to scrape through, so there will be work to do if they’re to rediscover their clinical touch for this crunch clash.
Both teams though have tended to fare better when allowed to freely play their high-press tactics so strategy could well be crucial, as I can see a tense contest if both teams deploy their usual tactics unless one team takes a risk which could lead to a decisive first goal settling this match.
There will also be a psychological aspect to this clash because Germany know how to win semi-finals, whereas the French are in unchartered territory in this competition but have lost their two previous semi-finals in all competitions which will add extra tension.
On that note, this is either going to be a cracker to a tight cagey contest but I am going for a German win if they can adapt without Buhl’s presence quickly, coupled with another sloppy French performance unless Les Bleues are at their best which could mean extra-time and penalties.
Prediction: Germany 2-1 France
Result: Germany 2-1 France
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