Germany vs Scotland LIVE – Euro 2024: Hosts face Tartan Army in eagerly anticipated opener – latest updates, FREE stream

Time to finally reach KO stage

Scotland will be hoping to pip their Euro 1996 group agony rather reproduce their Euro 2020 woe.

The closest the Scots came to reaching the group stage came in England 28 years ago – falling short by just one goal on goal difference.

Holland bagged a late consolation goal in a 4-1 loss to England to edge out Craig Brown’s men, who beat Switzerland 1-0 in their group finale

In contrast Scotland ended up with just one point and one goal in 2021 – with group winners England going on to reach the final.

Germany are ‘nervous’ and ‘have more pressure’

Germany’s manager sounds a bit worried about stage fright.

Julian Nagelsmann said: “We are a bit nervous but we have to have a certain nervousness.

“We have more pressure than Scotland, so I’m sure they want to capitalise on that.”

Nagelsman says Scotland have 4-5 good players’

Julian Nagelsmann’s message to his Germany side about Scotland could be taken as a compliment or an insult.

The hosts’ manager said: “Scotland have four or five good players and lots of players who have physicality.

“It’s a team that doesn’t have world stars but that makes them very dangerous.

“It’s an incredible development. It’s not kick and rush.

“They can do that, but they can play football.

“They lost 4-0 to Holland, but they were better than the Dutch.”

Clarke warns Scots

Steve Clarke has warned his Scotland team not to get caught up into the whirl of opening the Euros – and against such a successful team.

The manager said: “It’s the opening game of a four-team section, we know what we have to do to qualify and that’s all we focus on.

“The enormity of the opener is a bit of a sideshow and hopefully we don’t get too caught up in that.

“It’s a difficult game. One of the mantras I’ve had is respect everyone and fear no one.

“We know they’re a good team but hopefully we can show everyone we’re a good team as well.”

Scots fans flocking around stadium

Scotland supporters are already gathering in large numbers at the Munich Football Arena.

We’ve still more than three hours to go before kick-off against the host nation.

But the atmosphere is gently whipping up.

Victory for Scotland would be one of their greatest ever results.

And it will be a full stadium that greets Steve Cooper’s men.

‘Robertson would get in England team’

Alan Shearer claims Andy Robertson would get in England’s first-choice team.

Even if there were no fitness doubts over the likes of Luke Shaw, the ex-Three Lions striker believes the Scotland and Liverpool star has all the qualities needed to be first choice.

Shearer told the BBC’s Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast: “He’s very very good.

“In the modern day, you have to get up and down and you have to be good on the ball and have the ability to whip balls into the box, and he has all of that. 

“For me he’d get into the England team no doubts. Even if everyone was fit he would still get in.”

Time to end the regrets

Skipper Andy Robertson says it’s time Scotland didn’t let themselves down at a major tournament.

Ahead of facing Germany tonight, the Liverpool left-back voiced his determination that Steve Clarke’s men should finally deliver – having never reached the knockout phase of the Euros or World Cup.

Robertson stressed the Scots “do not want any regrets this time”.

And he added: “We know that’s what’s at stake,

“We’ve got a lot of incentive but one is becoming that legendary squad – that has to drive us forward.

“We have to be at our best and if we can do that, who knows where we’ll be come 23 June.”

Super Scots

For Scotland their midfield could be decisive in winning games.

Even without Ferguson the likes of Gilmour and McGinn will look to wrestle control of possession, with McTominay the key source of goals.

Captain Andy Robertson is ever reliable and Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie can produce moments of magic too.

Gutsy Germans

Germany have a number of exciting players, perhaps none more so than Florian Wirtz who was a key part of Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible Bundesliga-winning team.

The 21-year-old scored 11 goals and produced 12 assists in the league this season, and has 17 caps to his name, with one goal.

Finding a way to get the best out of him and fellow midfielder Musiala will be pivotal for Nagelsmann, and the role Havertz plays could be key.

Mikel Arteta got Havertz back to his best this season operating as a false nine, but Nagelsmann has tended to prefer playing Nicolas Fullkrig as the focal point in attack.