Euro 2024: Team of the Group stage

These players dominated the group stage for their nation.

We have witnessed some incredible action from the teams in the groups so far. Euro 2024 is underway as teams battle against the best to reach the knockout rounds. Georgia and Austria have made history in the competition after putting in some impressive performances.

The opening days of the competition were filled with drama, thrill and action. Ukraine will probably be disappointed after getting eliminated, despite having the same number of points as the team in first place.

Let us now look at the players who dominated the group phase and played a crucial role in taking their teams to the knockout rounds.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy) 

The PSG goalkeeper put on an impressive display for Italy in their group run. Donnarumma faced 15 shots during the group and made a whopping 12 saves. He delivered an excellent performance against Croatia in the final match, after making three crucial saves to keep them within reach.

Donnarumma also proved why he is considered amongst the best after making a fantastic save to deny Luka Modric from the penalty spot. 

Right-Back: Dani Carvajal (Spain) 

Dani Carvajal has continued his excellent club form with the national team after playing an important role against Croatia in the opening match. He scored a fine header after being found by a brilliant cross from Lamine Yamal.

Carvajal finished the group with 10 recoveries, two interceptions and won six duels. His experience of leading the team in knockout matches will be crucial to La Roja’s quest for the Euro title. 

Centre-Back: Marc Guehi (England) 

Marc Guehi has been a rock for the team at the back after barely putting a foot wrong in the group. He helped England to maintain an excellent defensive shape in the competition. The combination of John Stones and Guehi has proved to be an important one, as they kept two clean-sheets in the group.

He made 14 ball recoveries while winning 100% of his tackles. Guehi’s ability to play out from the back has added another dimension to the England backline. 

Centre-Back: Riccardo Calafiori (Italy) 

What a tournament it has been for him. Riccardo Calafiori has emerged as one of the best defenders of Euro 2024. After an outstanding campaign with Bologna, he has continued his form with the national team and will be in huge demand in the summer transfer window.

His ability to carry the ball forward by dribbling past players makes him an exciting talent. Calafiori’s performance against Croatia has already seen him in comparison with greats. 

Left-Back: Maximilian Mittelstadt (Germany) 

The Stuttgart man is having a fantastic tournament for Germany and finds himself in the team of the group stage. He has consistently performed throughout the group, even providing an assist in the second match. Mittelstadt is an attack-minded player who makes crucial runs from the left-hand side to create chances for his teammates.

Apart from his attacking contribution, he is equally adept at doing defensive duties. In the group, he recovered the ball 14 times, while making two blocks, one tackle and interception. 

Central Midfielder: Fabian Ruiz (Spain) 

Fabian Ruiz has played the midfield role effectively for La Roja in the group. His ability to carry the ball forward and also make excellent runs to find himself in pockets of space makes him a threat.

Ruiz has elevated his game to the next level at this competition and has even managed to outshine his fellow midfielders. After providing a wonderful assist for Alvaro Morata, he capped off his brilliant performance by scoring one of the goals of the tournament. 

Central Midfielder: Marcel Sabitzer (Austria) 

Marcel Sabitzer had an incredible season with Borussia Dortmund after guiding them to the Champions League final. Ever since Ralph Rangnick became the manager, Sabitzer has found a new lease of life under him. Sabitzer’s ability to relentlessly press and lead by example makes him a dangerous player for the opposition.

He was one of the reasons why Austria topped the “Group of Death” consisting of France, Poland and the Netherlands. Against the latter he netted the winner to continue their excellent run. 

Right Winger: Lamine Yamal (Spain) 

Lamine Yamal has announced himself on the big stage after putting on a series of impressive performances. He became the youngest player for Spain to make an appearance at the Euros, after starting against Croatia in the opening match.

He provided an impressive assist by finding Dani Carvajal with an excellent delivery from the wing. Despite failing to score a goal, he has shown signs of his potential. His propensity to take on defenders using his speed and dribbling ability makes him a threat for La Roja in the competition. 

Attacking Midfielder: Jamal Musiala (Germany) 

Jamal Musiala is another teenage sensation who has made headlines with his performances for Germany. He started the tournament in excellent form after netting in back-to-back games against Scotland and Hungary.

He was unplayable in both games as opposition players found him difficult to make due to his ability to dribble past them easily. He combined well with the other attackers to give a perfect platform for the team. 

Left Winger: Nico Williams (Spain) 

Joining Yamal on the list is his fellow winger Nico Williams whose electric pace and dribbling ability has given nightmares to opposition defenders. He has continued his excellent run of form with the national team, after guiding Athletic Bilbao to the Copa del Rey.

Williams has created five chances for the team in two games and deservedly got the rest in the last match to prepare for the last 16 tie. 

Striker: Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) 

Probably one of the surprises at Euro 2024. Remember the name Georges Mikautadze, who finished as the top scorer in the groups, where some of the best players in the world played for their nations.

He has scored three goals from the opening three matches while also providing a key assist. His performance against Portugal was impressive as he led his team to the last 16 of the competition by playing a crucial role.

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