GERMANY’S reputation as tournament football’s greatest nation has taken a battering in recent years.At Qatar 2022 the Nationalmannschaft went out at the group stage for the second World Cup in a row, having lost in the last 16 to England at Euro 2020 in between the two.Germany have turned to Julian Nagelsmann after a disappointing few yearsCredit: RexSo when Julian Nagelsmann took over last autumn, expectations were at their lowest for some time.But hosting a big competition brings back happy memories for German fans. They won the 1974 World Cup on home soil, finished third under Jurgen Klinsmann in the game-changing 2006 tournament, and reached the semis of Euro 1988.And there have been recent signs of improvement.read more on the eurosAfter disappointing friendly defeats by Turkey and Austria in November, Germany beat World Cup runners-up France and Qatar quarter finalists Holland in back-to-back games in March.They were Toni Kroos’ first matches back following his decision to return from three years in international retirement.Kroos, 34, brings experience, quality and grit to a midfield that has lacked all three.The backline remains a bit of a concern, however, and Germany’s best form of defence may be attack. Most read in Euro 2024Their impressive options include Florian Wirtz, fresh from helping Bayer Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga title.Germany play Scotland in the opening game of Euro 2024 on 14 June at Munich’s Allianz Arena.Meet the ten Wags ready to stun at Euro 2024Manager: Julian NagelsmannBright, young boss and a bit of a maverick. Known for his flashy outfits and arriving for training on a skateboard. Nagelsmann, 36, was appointed as Hansi Flick’s successor in September 2023.His masterstroke was to talk Kroos back into the fold, after the Real Madrid man had retired from international football in 2021.Julian Nagelsmann has brought hope to German fans ahead of Euro 2024Credit: APKey Man: Jamal MusialaStill only 21, Musiala can make things happen out of nothing. Maybe the disappointment of Bayern Munich’s season will spur him on to greatness.The former Chelsea academy star is one of the most creative players on show at Euro 2024.Musiala likes to come in from the right to cause havocLikely line-upNagelsmann has yet to decide on a settled formation. He used a back three against Austria in November, before opting to go four at the back in a defeat to Turkey – with Kai Havertz at left back.Recently however he has gone for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kroos and Robert Andrich in front of the back four, and three attacking midfielders.He can chose between Niclas Fullkrug of Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal star Havertz as lone striker.How Germany could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formationHow they attackGermany will be very structured in their build-up with an emphasis on creating situations that allow them to dominate the ball from the middle of the park.This is generally achieved by the two deepest midfielders who will look to take up positions to support the attack.Toni Kroos drops deeper to take the ball off the defendersAs Germany are building the attack Kroos likes to drop from the midfield back to take the ball off the defence to help with ball progression.When the ball is out on the wing, Germany will look to overload the ball side of the pitch with revolving triangles and passing options to help the player in possession.But this overload creates space on the far side, away from the ball, that can be exploited through a quick cross-field ball.Focussing on one side of the pitch occupies the opposition, which frees up space on the opposite flankThese angles and passing triangles mean that the man in possession will have options to play through.But it also means that the player on the far side is left in acres of space.As Germany attack they have options – pass their way through the congested area of the pitch or to switch the play and attack the space behind the opposition defence.And with the creative talents of Wirtz, Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield, they have the ability to unpick any opposition.Germany dominate the ball on one side of the pitch with two players on the far side then able to make aggressive off the ball runs to hurt the opposition.How they defendDefensively we will see Germany working hard to protect and shut off the centre of the pitch. Because of their likely structure of play as 4-3-2-1, the two deeper midfielders will hold the base of the defensive shape.The three more attacking midfielders and the striker position themselves in more of a narrow shape to stop the opposition from being able to play through the middle.The Germans stay narrow to limit the options available to the French defence as they try to play from the backBy working in this way to prevent the opposition from playing through the centre of the pitch they are trying to force the opposition either out wide, where they can press against the line, or long where they can win the duel.As Germany force their opposition to pass wide to try to play around the defensive block we will then typically see the Germans press out.The midfielders and the fullback on that side of the pitch look to engage the ball carrier to try to win the ball back high.Once the opposition attack down the wing, the Germans use the touchline as an extra defenderThe passes from the opposition to move the ball will then be immediately pressed as Germany use the touchline as an extra defender to try to regain the ball.Germany have a very proactive and effective form of defending as they look to choke off the pitch in a medium to high defensive block and win the ball back high. Indeed, defending in this way is likely to be one of the most used defensive systems at the tournament as teams try to protect their defensive line at all costs.As the ball is played across to the far side we see Germany quickly break out to try to engage the ball and win possession in the opposition halfPredictionShould Germany win Group A, they’ll face the runners up of England’s Group C.If they get through that last-16 game, the likely opponent are the Group B winners, which many expect will be Spain.Then it’s a potential semi-final against the likes of Portugal, Netherlands, or Slovakia.And the final could pit Germany against the likes of France or England.Latest oddsAs hosts, Germany are the third favourites to win the competition, behind England and France respectively.William Hill price them as 5/1 to lift the Euros in Berlin on July 14.Glam fans and WagsSara Gundogan was one of the stars of Prime Video’s series ‘Married to the Game’, which followed the lives of five football Wags.The Italian model had a highly-successful career as a TV presenter before meeting former Manchester City Gundogan in 2021.She sparked fury when she called the Manchester restaurant scene “horrible” in 2022.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, Germany’s lone striker Havertz will be supported by his fiancee Sophia Weber.But with Germany hosting Euro 2024, the squad will be blessed with an army of Wags cheering them on.Sara Gundogan models for Chanel and PradaCredit: Instagram @sarabenamiraShe married Ilkay Gundogan in 2022Credit: Instagram @sarabenamiraThe Italian beauty has been enjoying life since moving to Barcelona last summerCredit: Instagram @sarabenamiraSophia Weber is engaged to Germany and Arsenal striker Kai HavertzCredit: Instagram @sophiaaemeliaSophia Weber has amassed 180,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @sophiaaemeliaHavertz and Weber are high school sweetheartsCredit: INSTAGRAM @sophiaaemeliaGerman left-back David Raum is married to Eva KatharinaCredit: InstagramGlam Eva Katharina boasts an enviable lifestyle of travel and loves shoppingCredit: InstagramEva and Raum like to keep their relationship privateCredit: Instagram @katharina.raumToni Kroos’ wife Jessica will return to watch tournament football after watching her husband win the 2014 World CupCredit: GettyThe couple were married in June 2015 and have three childrenCredit: GettyNina Neuer is married to legendary German goalkeeper Manuel NeuerCredit: GettyNeuer tied the knot with the German beauty in 2017Credit: Splash News More