Das Viertelfinale zwischen Deutschland und Spanien an diesem Freitag (18.00 Uhr F.A.Z.-Liveticker zur Fußball-EM, in der ARD und bei MagentaTV) ist für viele aufgrund der Leistungen der Mannschaften ein vorweggenommenes Finale. İlkay Gündoğan, der deutsche Kapitän, stimmt dem im Grunde zu: „Von jetzt an ist jedes Spiel ein Finale.“ Der Sieger trifft auf Portugal oder Frankreich, die anschließend (21.00 Uhr F.A.Z.-Liveticker zur Fußball-EM, im ZDF und bei MagentaTV) in Hamburg aufeinandertreffen.
In Stuttgart beantwortete Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann die Frage nach der Aufstellung, die er am Vortag noch offenließ. Es gab noch einige personelle Fragezeichen: Kehrt Jonathan Tah nach der Gelbsperre für Nico Schlotterbeck in die Innenverteidigung zurück? Ja, der Leverkusener steht wieder in der Startelf, genau wie David Raum, der seit der Einwechslung gegen die Schweiz den Vorzug vor Maximilian Mittelstädt bekommt, der beim Heimspiel in Stuttgart zunächst auf der Bank sitzen wird. Im defensiven Mittelfeld überrascht der Bundestrainer, weil er Emre Can in die Anfangsformation beordert. Während der Leverkusener Robert Andrich zunächst nur auf der Bank sitzt, dürfte es Cans Aufgabe sein, sich um Spaniens Mittelfeld-Star Rodri zu kümmern.
Leroy Sané returns to play offensively Florian Wirtzas in the round of 16 against Denmark almost a week ago. Both Wirtz and Niclas Füllkrug are Nagelsmann's first options if more attacking power is needed. It was Füllkrug who scored as a wild card against Spain to make it 1-1 when the Germans absolutely needed a goal in the preliminary round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Speaking of Spain: Coach Luis de la Fuente is relying on the same team that beat Georgia 4-1 in the round of 16 against Germany.
However, special attention is now being paid to the player preferred by the national coach: Kai Havertz He is an artist under pressure and yet he creates little masterpieces with the ball. But can you win important games with him as a centre forward? asks Christopher Meltzer in his analysis.
Philipp Lahm is someone who has experienced great duels with Spain before. In the Interview with Christopher Meltzer and Christian Kamp The current head of the European Championship organizing committee shares painful memories, tells how the rival has developed and explains how German Federation Team You can overcome the obstacle this Friday.
In Stuttgart, the German team will not only have to control the ball better than the Spaniards, but also have a better feel for it. Two DFB players have special qualities. Christian Kamp comments on the match with emotion.
Three young players are also in the spotlight on the pitch because they have the whole match in their heads: Germany's Jamal Musiala and Spain's Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are the embodiment of a footballing evolution. The reason for this is not only evident on the pitch, As Cord Riechelmann writes.
Robert Andrich has not yet played a single match at the European Championships. However, he is very important for the DFB. That is also thanks to a Spaniard. Andrich faces a difficult task in the quarter-finals. writes Tobias RabeAnd then there is his teammate Toni Kroos: Will it be the last game in the career of the most Spanish German? Christopher Meltzer and Tobias Rabe describe its great value.
Who wins? The EM FAZ prognosis by Daniel Memmert and Fabian Wunderlich sees Spain as a slight favourite. The general forecasts do not look so bad either. Tobias Rabe explains how numbers are calculated.