Germany beat Denmark 2-0 in a round of 16 match at Dortmund last Saturday, June 29. Kai Havertz converted a penalty and Jamal Musiala scored another goal to guide the host nation to a place in the last eight.
It was Musiala’s third goal in four matches in the tournament. The 21-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder had scored only a couple of goals in 29 international matches for his country prior to the start of the tournament. However, he has now chosen a big stage to shine for his homeland. While a big name like Jude Bellingham of England has struggled, Musiala has asserted himself on a big occasion.
Musiala Excelling in Free Role for Germany
Musiala has started on the left flank in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the Germans. However, he has roamed all around the pitch inside the opposition half, thereby playing in a free role effectively. He has frequently swapped places with Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sané at times.
Germany has often switched to a 3-5-2 with Musiala and Havertz, neither of whom is a typical striker, playing upfront. Toni Kroos has stayed back as the left-sided central defender mostly. This has worked for the hosts so far, with the passing skills of those two players coming to the fore. Havertz has scored from a couple of penalties so far, but his inability to find the net otherwise remains a concern for the hosts otherwise.
Musiala enjoys playing with the ball on his feet, thereby making his explosive runs into the opposition penalty box. He also has an accurate shot on him, which helps him find the net from some distance. All of those traits makes him an exceptional attacking player. He is in the mould of the likes of Pierre Littbarski, Mesut Özil and Mehmet Scholl – all former German midfielders with exceptional ball-skills.
However, it is his opportunism inside the penalty box that has caught eyes in the tournament. The young German has positioned himself well on times and finished neatly when the need arose.
Germany Will Depend on Him a Lot
The hosts will take on the mighty Spain next in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash between two European powerhouses. The Spanish midfield is one of the best in the world, and their midfielders are likely to engage in a fantastic tussle with their German counterparts.
Musiala’s skills might make the difference in such a battle of epic proportions. He was a part of the Bayern Munich team that lost in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League to the Spanish giants Real Madrid this year, who went on to lift the trophy once again.
As a result, revenge should be in the mind of the young German, who is one of the primary reasons behind the hosts’ exciting brand of football in the ongoing tournament. Musiala has scored 12 times during the last season for Bayern and is one of those midfielders who has an eye for goal. He will have to continue to put his skills to good use in Germany’s upcoming matches in the tournament.