Harry Kane – Photo LiveMedia/Nigel Keene/DPPI
If she’s not the number 1 favorite, we’re close. For theEngland Euro 2024 it starts with the perfect ingredients: the desire for redemption for the Wembley final in 2021 with Italy is accompanied by an even stronger squad than that of three years ago. However, in their debut, the Three Lions national team will have to deal with a high-level opponent like Serbia who has strong players in practically every department. On paper, the match at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen was the most balanced match of this first day, together with Spain-Croatia (which ended 3-0). Expectations are very high for Gareth Southgate’s national team who can field in the same starting eleven the winner of the 2023/24 Golden Boot, Harry Kane, the MVP of La Liga, Jude Bellingham, and the MVP of the Premier League, Phil Foden. All without considering the run-off which in one way or another will spark a debate at home: who will complete the offensive department between Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer? An all-London derby with stellar numbers. Twenty goals and 14 assists this season for the Arsenal winger, while the Chelsea playmaker has scored 27 goals and 15 winning passes. The favorite for the debut is Saka, but the relay will probably be a constant.
An offensive department with few rivals and a high concentration of candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Jude Bellingham is one of the main favorites in a distant duel with his Real Madrid teammate, Vinicius, involved in the Copa America with his Brazil. Then Foden and obviously Kane. To hope for the most prestigious title on an individual level, however, you have to win the tournament. And the group is approachable, but also treacherous. Denmark is a tough opponent, while Slovenia can surprise. The first obstacle, Serbia, can then boast a proven eleven. Mitrovic and Vlahovic are the two forwards of a national team that scored a third of the 15 goals in qualifying with headers. Then Tadic in support. With Zivkovic and Kostic on the wings, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Lukic should man the midfield. Milenkovic, Veljkovic and the 20 year old Pavlovic in defense to protect Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. The two teams are meeting for the first time since Serbia became an independent nation. Half of the qualification and also a piece of history are up for grabs.
