The 1/8 finals of the European Championship are about to kick off, and football legend Matthaus, with his unique vision and rich experience, has brought us exciting match predictions. The German football legend is not only full of confidence in his country's team, but also gives his own unique insight into the direction of the whole competition. Let's dive into Mateus' predictions and discuss the exciting matchups that are on the horizon.
Of the eight quarter-finals predicted by Mateus, the most eye-catching is the match between defending champions Italy and Switzerland. He thought it would be a tough contest that ended in a narrow 1-0 win for Italy. While Switzerland have been excellent in the group stage, Italy's possession of one of the best goalkeepers at this tournament, Donnarumma, combined with a wealth of tournament experience, could be the key to victory.
In the match between Germany and Denmark, Mateus predicted a 2-0 victory for Germany. Although he stressed that this is not out of patriotic feelings, but on the basis of professional analysis. The German team is more flexible and creative in terms of tactical selection and personnel deployment. In contrast, Denmark's offensive firepower appears to be slightly lacking.
England vs Slovakia matchup, Mateus favors England to win 2-0. While the Three Lions have been mediocre in the group stage, the knockout stages have often inspired different teams. If manager Gareth Southgate can mobilise the attacking side well, England should be able to qualify.
In Spain's match against Georgia, Mateus gave a 3-0 prediction for a big victory. Despite Georgia's surprise performance in the group stage, especially with goalkeeper Mamardashvili, Spain's overall strength advantage is still clear. However, Mateus also cautioned that Spain should not be taken lightly.
The hottest clash could be France vs Belgium, with Mateus predicting a full 120-minute match, which France narrowly won 3-2. Both favourites failed to fully show their quality in the group stage and this game will be a great opportunity for them to prove themselves.
In Portugal's match against Slovenia, Mateus predicts a 2-0 win for Portugal. Despite a surprise defeat to Georgia in the final round of the group stage, Mateus believes we will see a new Portugal side. Cristiano Ronaldo will undoubtedly be in focus, but he will need to keep his emotions in check and avoid risking a suspension for complaining excessively.
In the Netherlands vs Romania match, Mateus gave a 3-1 score prediction, optimistic about the Netherlands winning. Despite Romania's excellent performance in the group stage, the Netherlands were superior both offensively and defensively. The only problem is the lack of a real leader in midfield.
In the last match between Austria and Turkey, Mateus predicted a narrow 2-1 victory for Austria. He believes that Austria is one of the dark horses of this European Championship, especially Sabitzer's performance, which has reached a world-class level.
Mateus' prediction adds a lot of excitement to the upcoming 1/8 finals. The charm of football lies in its unpredictability. Every game can be a surprise, and every team has a chance to pull off miracles. As fans, we look forward to seeing more exciting matches and seeing the European Championship continue to write new legends.
Let's wait and see if Mateus' prediction is accurate and which teams will emerge at this stage to continue their title path. Regardless of the result, I believe that these games will provide us with a wonderful football feast.