Euro 2024: Top Teams Underperform as Tournament Defies Expectations

Posted : 29 June 2024

In recent years, the performances of major teams in major tournaments have followed a familiar pattern: enthusiasm peaks during the group stage against weaker teams, allowing talents to shine and creating excitement for the knockout stages. As the competition progresses, matches become more evenly matched and teams prioritize winning over playing beautifully. Occasionally, there are surprises or significant mismatches, but fans generally know what to expect when a team like Italy reaches the crucial moments.

However, Euro 2024 has deviated from this norm. With the exception of Spain, all the favorite teams have been underwhelming. Teams like France, Italy, Portugal, and host Germany have not performed well, aside from Germany's easy win against a very weak Scotland in their opening game.

In contrast, the Netherlands and Belgium have shown strong performances. England, however, is in a category of its own, marked by disappointment. Gareth Southgate's position as a national hero was already shaky after losing the previous Euro final, and despite advancing to the round of 16, his future looks uncertain. The team's struggles are highlighted by the ineffective utilization of talents like Jude Bellingham, who started strong but has since faded.

The issues facing England are somewhat expected, given the longstanding debates about Southgate's coaching style and its fit for the team's talent. France, on the other hand, has inexplicably lost its creativity and vitality, and Portugal is struggling to navigate the post-Ronaldo era while he still plays. The Netherlands, lacking offensive talent and seeing a diminished Virgil van Dijk, have been surprisingly lax, while Italy and Belgium are living on the edge of their capabilities, relying heavily on star players like Kevin de Bruyne.

One possible reason for these disappointments may not be poor coaching or player selection, but rather the sheer exhaustion of top players. Many have come off grueling seasons, participating in multiple competitions and reaching their limits. This fatigue affects players like Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden of England, who can't replicate their club performances on the international stage. Similarly, France’s Marcus Thuram and others are struggling to maintain their high standards.

The combination of these factors, along with UEFA's challenging ranking system, has led to tough matchups like France versus Belgium in the round of 16. Even seemingly less balanced games are unpredictable. Will England manage to overcome Slovakia without boring everyone? Can Romania defeat the Netherlands? Might Switzerland pull an upset against Italy? Despite some beautiful moments, the Euro 2024 has been marked by the struggles of highly paid stars, highlighting the difficulty of sustaining top performances amidst the demanding football calendar.

Euro 2024: Top Teams Underperform as Tournament Defies Expectations

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