The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament is fast approaching, and anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling showcase of European football. For fans eager to delve deep into the tactical nuances and potential outcomes, eurodripusa.net provides an expert breakdown of each group. This comprehensive guide focuses on Group F, featuring Portugal, Turkey, Georgia, and the Czech Republic, offering an in-depth look at each nation’s playing style, key players, strengths, and weaknesses. Understanding the Group F Standings Euro 2024 permutations requires a detailed analysis of each team’s capabilities and tactical approaches, which we will explore in this article.
This preview serves as your opposition dossier, akin to what a national team head coach might compile before a crucial match. Expect detailed tactical analysis, visual aids like screengrabs highlighting key moments, embedded videos, and data visualizations to uncover patterns and trends. We aim to equip you with the knowledge to understand the dynamics of Group F and make informed predictions about the group f standings euro 2024.
Portugal: A Blend of Experience and Tactical Flexibility
- Manager: Roberto Martinez
- Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
- Qualifying Record: P10, W10, D0, L0, GF36, GA2
- Euro 2020: Round of 16
- Most Caps in Squad: Cristiano Ronaldo (206)
- Top Scorer in Squad: Cristiano Ronaldo (128)
Tactical Approach of Portugal under Martinez
Roberto Martinez has brought a dynamic and adaptable tactical approach to the Portuguese national team. Initially experimenting with a back three formation, Martinez has transitioned to a more fluid system that shifts between a back four and a back three depending on possession. This tactical flexibility is key to understanding Portugal’s potential impact on the group f standings euro 2024.
In possession, Portugal often sets up in a 3-2 build-up. Initially, under Martinez, a 3-4-3 was favored with Danilo Pereira, Ruben Dias, and a rotating cast of young center-backs like Goncalo Inacio, Antonio Silva, or the veteran Pepe forming the defensive line. Out of possession, the wing-backs would drop back to create a five-man defense.
However, a shift occurred during the Euro qualifiers, notably in the match against Slovakia. Portugal adopted a back four shape when defending. In possession, full-backs Joao Cancelo and Diogo Dalot would start wide, with Joao Palhinha anchoring the midfield ahead of the central defenders.
This evolved further into a 3-2 structure in possession. Palhinha would drop between the center-backs, while the full-backs moved infield to form a midfield quartet alongside Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes. This creates numerical superiority in central areas, facilitating ball progression and control.
Alternatively, Portugal also employs a system where one full-back tucks into midfield while the other provides width on the flank. This dynamic approach keeps opponents guessing and allows Portugal to exploit spaces effectively.
This constant shifting in formation during possession is a hallmark of modern football tactics, and Portugal executes it with remarkable fluidity. The midfield four is particularly dynamic, with Cancelo and Dalot possessing the technical prowess and experience to operate both centrally and in wide areas. The other midfielders and forwards are equally adept at interchanging positions, creating intricate passing patterns to break down defenses.
Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, we saw Danilo dropping into the defensive line, Cancelo moving centrally next to Otavio, and Dalot becoming the primary outlet on the right flank. This constant positional rotation makes Portugal incredibly difficult to defend against.
When Dias distributes the ball to Dalot wide on the right, Otavio makes a penetrating run into the box.
Simultaneously, Bruno Fernandes drops deeper, drawing Bosnia’s left center-back higher and creating space for Otavio. Dalot then finds Otavio with a well-weighted pass behind the defensive line.
Otavio then delivers a square pass to Joao Felix, who calmly finishes into the bottom corner. This sequence exemplifies Portugal’s ability to combine intricate passing with incisive runs in behind.
Portugal’s attacking arsenal is diverse. They are comfortable being patient in possession, circulating the ball to find openings, but equally capable of direct attacks, exploiting space behind the opposition defense with pace and precision. The speed and dribbling skills of players like Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, and Diogo Jota make them particularly dangerous in transition, especially when combined with Fernandes’ exceptional passing range.
While adaptable and multifaceted in attack, Portugal also demonstrated in their 3-2 victory against Slovakia their capacity to utilize overlapping full-backs and focus on wide combinations. Defensively, their back four is proactive, and Palhinha’s presence in front of the defense offers excellent protection, making them a well-rounded team capable of challenging for the top spot in group f standings euro 2024.
Portugal’s Key Players
Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo’s unparalleled experience and goal-scoring record make him a pivotal figure. His presence in the box and clinical finishing are invaluable assets, especially with the creative talent surrounding him. His quest to extend his European Championship records will be a storyline to watch as Portugal aims for a strong showing in group f standings euro 2024.
Bruno Fernandes: Fernandes is the creative engine of the team. His contribution of six goals and seven assists in qualifying underscores his importance. His movement between the lines, vision, passing accuracy, and threat in transition are perfectly suited to Martinez’s system. Furthermore, his defensive work rate complements Palhinha in midfield, providing balance to the team.
Joao Palhinha: Palhinha provides the defensive solidity that allows Portugal’s attacking players to flourish. His positioning, interceptions, ball recoveries, and tackling are crucial in breaking up opposition attacks and initiating transitions. His ability to win the ball back aggressively is a key component of Portugal’s tactical setup.
Bernardo Silva: Bernardo Silva’s intelligence and versatility are vital to Portugal’s attacking play. Operating from the right wing, he acts as a calming influence, dictating tempo and choosing the right moments to deliver key passes or make runs. His tendency to drift infield overloads the midfield, while his understanding of space and timing makes him a constant threat.
Bernardo Silva in action for Portugal. His intelligence and tactical awareness are crucial for Portugal’s midfield dynamism. (Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)
Weaknesses of Portugal
While Portugal’s qualifying campaign was flawless, the level of opposition faced – Slovakia, Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia, and Liechtenstein – was not the most demanding. Recent friendly defeats to Slovenia and Croatia have raised questions about their ability to perform against higher-caliber teams. The Euro 2024 group stage and potential knockout rounds will present sterner tests that will truly determine their strength and their ultimate position in the group f standings euro 2024.
One Thing to Watch for Portugal
The connection between Bruno Fernandes and runs in behind the defense. Fernandes’ pinpoint passing accuracy and vision, combined with the intelligent runs of Portugal’s attackers, create a potent attacking threat. Fernandes’ own off-ball movement also makes him a target for through balls.
Against Bosnia, Inacio played a long pass in behind the defense, finding Fernandes making a run.
Fernandes then finished emphatically into the top corner, highlighting this dangerous attacking pattern.
Turkey: Emerging Force with Attacking Flair
- Manager: Vincenzo Montella
- Captain: Hakan Calhanoglu
- Qualifying Record: P8, W5, D2, L1, GF14, GA7
- Euro 2020: Group Stage
- Most Caps in Squad: Hakan Calhanoglu (86)
- Top Scorer in Squad: Cenk Tosun (20)
Turkey’s Tactical Setup under Montella
Under Vincenzo Montella, Turkey has evolved into a tactically astute and offensively oriented team. Their qualification campaign, topping a group that included Croatia and Wales, showcased their capabilities. Their tactical approach will significantly influence the group f standings euro 2024.
Turkey typically starts in a 4-2-3-1 formation in possession. The double pivot midfielders drop to support the center-backs during build-up play, while the full-backs push high and the wingers move inside. This creates a flexible attacking shape with multiple options for ball progression.
Turkey’s attacking strategy revolves around two primary methods: progressing the ball through wide areas to find forwards in central positions, or switching play quickly to the opposite full-back who is often in space. This dual approach makes them unpredictable in attack.
Against Latvia, both full-backs, Cenk Ozkacar and Ferdi Kadioglu, positioned themselves high up the pitch, while wingers moved infield, creating space and options.
The movement of left-winger Kerem Akturkoglu, making a run in behind, pulls Latvia’s right-back away from Ozkacar, allowing Turkey to combine through the central areas before switching to the left-back in space.
However, in this instance, Ozkacar’s cross failed to find a teammate in the box.
Later in the same game, Turkey successfully executed this strategy, leading to a goal. Ismail Yuksek combined with Calhanoglu to find Zeki Celik making a forward run on the right flank, while Akturkoglu again moved centrally on the left.
Akturkoglu’s movement drags Latvia’s right-back inside, creating space for the Turkish left-back, who is found by Celik’s switch of play.
Ozkacar’s subsequent cross again misses the forwards, but Yunus Akgun controls the loose ball and volleys it into the net. This passage of play highlights Turkey’s effective use of switches and wide overloads to create scoring opportunities.
The narrow positioning of Turkey’s wingers also allows them to exploit space behind the defense when the center-forward drops deep, adding another dimension to their attack.
Defensively, Turkey transitions into a compact 4-4-2 shape. The wingers drop back to support the full-backs, creating a solid defensive block and making it difficult for opponents to penetrate centrally or in wide areas.
Turkey’s Key Players
Hakan Calhanoglu: Calhanoglu’s transformation into a deep-lying playmaker has been transformative for both Inter Milan and the Turkish national team. His vision, passing range, and composure in deep areas dictate Turkey’s tempo and ball distribution. His ability to launch accurate long passes or orchestrate short passing sequences in wide areas is crucial. Defensively, he has also improved, contributing more actively out of possession. His set-piece prowess and long-range shooting add another layer to Turkey’s attacking threat.
Hakan Calhanoglu, Turkey’s captain and midfield orchestrator, has become a world-class deep-lying playmaker. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Kerem Akturkoglu: Following a stellar season with Galatasaray, Akturkoglu’s attacking output is vital for Turkey. His ability to roam in the final third, drift inside from the left wing, and make diagonal runs behind defenses provides constant problems for opposing defenses. His movement creates space for full-backs and opens up central areas for teammates.
Weaknesses of Turkey
Despite defensive improvements, including a clean sheet against Italy, Turkey’s defense can be prone to errors, particularly when playing out from the back under pressure. In a 6-1 defeat to Austria, they conceded twice due to turnovers in their own half caused by a high press. Individual errors, like Ozkacar’s mistake against Armenia, have also cost them points. Solidifying their defensive consistency will be crucial for their success in group f standings euro 2024.
One Thing to Watch for Turkey
Kerem Akturkoglu’s roaming and attacking movement. His tendency to move centrally and attack spaces inside the box creates dangerous situations and complements Turkey’s attacking system by freeing up space for overlapping full-backs.
His goals against Samsunspor exemplify how this type of movement puts him in prime scoring positions inside the penalty area, making him a key threat for Turkey in Euro 2024.
Georgia: Debutants with a Point to Prove
- Manager: Willy Sagnol
- Captain: Guram Kashia
- Qualifying Record: P10, W3, D3, L4, GF14, GA18 (Qualified through play-offs)
- Euro 2020: Did Not Qualify
- Most Caps in Squad: Guram Kashia (113)
- Top Scorer in Squad: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (15)
Georgia’s Game Plan under Sagnol
Georgia’s qualification for Euro 2024 is a historic achievement. Under Willy Sagnol, they have developed a distinct playing style centered on wing-back play and utilizing Giorgi Chakvetadze in central areas. Their approach to matches will be crucial in determining their final position in group f standings euro 2024.
Playing in a 3-5-2 formation, Georgia emphasizes attacking through their wing-backs and finding Chakvetadze between the lines. Sagnol’s team frequently switches the ball from flank to flank, patiently waiting for an opportunity to exploit space out wide and utilize their wing-backs effectively.
In Euro 2024 qualifying, Georgia led all teams in switches of play per game, averaging 8.1. This statistic highlights their tactical emphasis on horizontal ball circulation to create openings in wide areas.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal against Scotland exemplifies this strategy. Chakvetadze delivered a curling pass to Georgia’s right wing-back, Otar Kakabadze, who then found Kvaratskhelia making a run into the box. Kvaratskhelia finished to score.
Unlike his primarily wide role at Napoli, Kvaratskhelia plays as a second striker for Georgia, often dropping deeper to receive the ball and alleviate some of the creative pressure on Chakvetadze. This central role allows him to be closer to goal and maximize his scoring opportunities.
“The last two years we worked on playing him more centrally when we have the ball because he can provide a lot of goals and assists,” Sagnol explained. “It was key to have this kind of player in the most important part of the pitch because I don’t have a lot of players like him.”
Beyond wing-back play, Georgia also looks to find Chakvetadze or Kvaratskhelia in the pockets of space between the lines.
Against Spain, Kakabadze spotted Chakvetadze in space and played a lofted pass to him. Chakvetadze then found Kvaratskhelia with a pass in behind the defense, leading to a goal.
Defensively, Georgia’s wing-backs drop back to form a five-man defense. Sagnol’s team aims to win the ball in midfield and launch quick counter-attacks, leveraging the pace and skill of their attacking players in transition.
Georgia’s Key Players
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: Kvaratskhelia is undoubtedly Georgia’s star player. His dribbling ability, close control, and movement in the penalty area are game-changing. Playing centrally for his national team maximizes his impact in goal-scoring positions. His performances will be crucial if Georgia hopes to make an impact on the group f standings euro 2024.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georgia’s talisman, will be central to their hopes in their debut Euro tournament. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)
Giorgi Chakvetadze: Chakvetadze is Georgia’s primary creator. Playing as a No. 8, he constantly seeks possession to link play, find wing-backs in advanced positions, and create opportunities for the front two. His ability to receive the ball on the half-turn, drive forward, and deliver creative passes makes him a significant threat in midfield and during transitions.
Weaknesses of Georgia
Defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in wide areas, are a concern for Georgia. Eight of the 18 goals they conceded during qualifying came from crosses or cutbacks from the flanks. Despite defending with a back five, defending crosses and wide play seems to be their Achilles’ heel.
In a play-off match against Luxembourg, the visitors equalized through an attack down the wing (though the goal was later disallowed by VAR). A passing combination down the right flank exposed Georgia’s left wing-back and center-back.
Luxembourg’s Gerson Rodrigues then scored from a cutback by Leandro Barreiro, highlighting Georgia’s susceptibility to wide attacks.
One Thing to Watch for Georgia
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. He was statistically one of the best shot-stoppers in La Liga this season. His impressive form will be crucial for Georgia’s chances of progressing, especially given their defensive vulnerabilities. His shot-stopping ability could be the key to Georgia exceeding expectations in group f standings euro 2024.
Czech Republic: Set-Piece Prowess and Wide Attacks
- Manager: Ivan Hasek
- Captain: Tomas Soucek
- Qualifying Record: P8, W4, D3, L1, GF12, GA6
- Euro 2020: Quarter-finals
- Most Caps in Squad: Tomas Soucek (69)
- Top Scorer in Squad: Patrik Schick (19)
Czech Republic’s Tactical Style
The Czech Republic, like several teams in Group F, prioritizes attacking wide areas and delivering crosses into the box. They were the most prolific crossing team in Euro 2024 qualifying, averaging 27.1 crosses per game. This reliance on wide play and aerial threat will define their approach to securing favorable group f standings euro 2024.
The Czech Republic typically employs a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3 formation in possession, depending on the composition of their front three. They have occasionally experimented with a back-four system as well.
Regardless of the formation, their primary attacking focus remains consistent: attacking down the flanks and delivering crosses into the penalty area. This strategy is designed to capitalize on the aerial ability and late runs of their captain, Tomas Soucek.
Similar to his role at West Ham United, Soucek frequently makes late runs into the box for the Czech Republic, aiming to attack space and get on the end of crosses.
In a match against Armenia, Soucek’s run into the box indirectly led to the winning goal. As the ball reached Matej Jurasek on the right wing, Soucek moved towards the edge of the penalty area. Jurasek crossed the ball behind Soucek, whose touch inadvertently flicked the ball away from the Armenian defender, allowing Tomas Chory to score the winner.
Czech Republic’s Key Players
Tomas Soucek: Soucek is the heart and soul of the Czech Republic team. His late runs into the box, aerial prowess, and set-piece threat are crucial in attack. Beyond his offensive contributions, his defensive positioning and interceptions provide vital protection for a relatively inexperienced defense. His leadership and all-around game are essential for the Czech Republic’s aspirations in group f standings euro 2024.
Tomas Soucek, Czech Republic’s captain, is a dominant presence in midfield and a key goal threat, particularly from set-pieces and late runs into the box. (Photo by Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Patrik Schick: While Schick is listed as the top scorer, his overall contribution and current form need to be considered. If Schick can recapture his Euro 2020 form, his goal-scoring ability would significantly boost the Czech Republic’s chances. However, the team’s tactical setup is geared towards creating chances for forwards in general, rather than relying solely on Schick.
Weaknesses of Czech Republic
Defensive solidity is a concern for the Czech Republic. They have struggled to keep clean sheets consistently, managing only four in their last 15 competitive matches since 2022, and those were against weaker opposition like Moldova and Faroe Islands. Against stronger attacking teams in Euro 2024, their defensive vulnerabilities could be exposed, impacting their ability to climb the group f standings euro 2024.
One Thing to Watch for Czech Republic
Ladislav Krejci’s set-piece threat. The center-back is a major aerial threat, particularly from set-pieces. His well-timed movement, leap, and heading ability make him a perfect partner for Soucek in attacking set-pieces.
Krejci’s goal against Armenia, where he outjumped everyone to score a header, exemplifies his set-piece danger and is a tactic the Czech Republic will likely utilize throughout Euro 2024.
Euro 2024 Group F Fixtures:
Round 1:
- 18/06/2024 — Turkey vs Georgia (6pm CEST, 5pm BST, 12pm EDT)
- 18/06/2024 — Portugal vs Czech Republic (9pm CEST, 8pm BST, 3pm EDT)
Round 2:
- 22/06/2024 — Georgia vs Czech Republic (3pm CEST, 2pm BST, 9am EDT)
- 22/06/2024 — Turkey vs Portugal (6pm CEST, 5pm BST, 12pm EDT)
Round 3:
- 26/06/2024 — Georgia vs Portugal (9pm CEST, 8pm BST, 3pm EDT)
- 26/06/2024 — Czech Republic vs Turkey (9pm CEST, 8pm BST, 3pm EDT)
Understanding these tactical nuances, key player strengths, and potential weaknesses is crucial for predicting the group f standings euro 2024. Group F promises to be a fascinating blend of tactical approaches and individual talent, making it one of the most intriguing groups to watch in Euro 2024. Stay tuned to eurodripusa.net for more in-depth Euro 2024 analysis and updates throughout the tournament.
(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
