Euro 2024: MM Group D Prediction And Breakdown

The Euro 2024 Championship has kicked off in sensational style, and here at Mixtape Madness, we have taken the time to delve into our group predictions, star players and players to keep an eye on. Group D consists of Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Poland, and so our group-by-group breakdown starts alphabetically with Austria.

Austria

Former Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick has turned around the fortunes of this Austrian side since his appointment in 2022. While things didn’t go to plan at Old Trafford, his brand of high pressing, front foot football has galvanised this team and could have positioned themselves as dark horses in this tournament. However, injuries to key players David Alaba and Xaver Schlage mean that they are lacking elite quality, which could prove to be their downfall in a tricky group.

Key Player: Marcel Sabitzer

The dynamic midfielder has played some of his best football in recent years this season, helping Dortmund reach the Champions League final. Having announced himself as a top talent at RB Leipzig, it looked as if Sabitzer was stagnating after moves to Bayern Munich and a loan to Manchester United didn’t quite work out. However, given his application in Germany this season, he will be the key to Austrian success in the absence of his injured teammates.

Player to look out for: Stefan Posch

Posch has been a key figure in Bologna’s surprise run to Champions League qualification this season. A versatile defender who can play at either right back or centre back, the 27 year old is good on the ball and can push forward as well as demonstrate his defensive capabilities. With a lack of quality attacking talent, it could be up to Posch to contribute on both sides of the ball if Austria are to have success in this tournament.

Group Prediction: 3rd

With France and the Netherlands demonstrably the strongest teams in this group, it looks as if it will be down to Poland and Austria to fight for the third spot. I believe that Rangnick’s play style may just be enough to secure it for the Austrians, who could spring a surprise given their tendencies for high intensity, pressing football.

France

Having arguably the greatest player in world football right now and a talented, deep squad to match, France are hotly tipped by many to go all the way to win their first European Champions since 2000. After winning the World Cup in 2016 and reaching the final in 2022, the French have shown themselves to be consistent and efficient in major tournaments under Didier Deschamps. With world class options in almost every position, this could be a legacy defining tournament for Les Bleus.

Key Player: Kylian Mbappé

Already a legend of the game at 25 years of age, Kylian Mbappé has almost become unstoppable. Blessed with electric pace, smart dribbling, and world class finishing, it is no wonder that he was so coveted by Champions League winners Real Madrid before his recent move to the Spanish capital. It has to be said however that he will want to exorcise some demons in this tournament after having a night to forget in France’s loss to Switzerland last time out. If Mbappé can demonstrate consistent excellence and help guide his side to the trophy, he will surely have cemented his legacy as an all time great.

Player to look out for: Mike Maignan

Set for to be the number one option in the French net after replacing Hugo Lloris, this is a huge opportunity for Maignan to showcase his talent. The AC Milan stopper has sensational reflexes and is also strong with the ball at his feet, making him an quintessential modern day keeper. Although he may not be tested too much during the group stages, he will be crucial in the knockout portion if France are to break their 24 year duck in this tournament.

Group Prediction: 1st

France and England are the two favourites to win it all this year and in a top heavy group, they should have enough to secure the number one spot ahead of the Netherlands. Didier Deschamps has proven himself to be a strong tournament coach during his tenure as the national team coach and there is no reason why he can’t guide them all the way this time out.

The Netherlands

The Dutch will be going into this tournament quietly confident of making inroads into the latter stages. Blessed with arguably the best pick of defenders in the whole tournament, the Oranje back line should be able to stand up to most tasks. The only dampener in the camp however is the fact that star midfielder Frenkie De Jong has had to withdraw from the tournament due to injury, with the talented but less experienced Joey Veerman set to take his place.

Key Player: Virgil Van Dijk

Captain for his national team, Virgil Van Dijk has been one of, if not the best at his position in world football for the last five years. The Liverpool defender rarely gets beaten in a one on one match up and is a commanding aerial presence in both boxes. Flanked by the likes of Nathan Aké and Micky Van De Ven, it will be extremely difficult to get past this highly skilled Dutch defence.

Player to look out for: Brian Brobbey

It is unclear whether Brobbey will start for the Netherlands given the experience of Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo, but the young striker could still have a huge impact for his team throughout the tournament. The 22 year old has been a rare bright spark in a mediocre Ajax season, chipping in with 21 goals and 8 assists in all competitions. Linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United this summer, Brobbey could be a breakout star for his side whether he starts or comes off the bench.

Group Prediction: 2nd

The Netherlands are a well balanced side which will be difficult for any team to break down or get in behind. They certainly have enough talent to get out of this group, but France are one of the favourites to win it all and should have enough to finish above Ronald Koeman’s side.

Poland

Poland found their way into this tournament after dispatching Wales on penalties in the play offs. Their route to the finals was clearly not all straightforward, having sacked Euro 2016 winning coach Fernando Santos after a poor run of results and replacing him with Michal Probierz. In a difficult group and without their talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski for at least the first game, this could be an uphill struggle for The Eagles.

Key Player: Wojciech Szczesny

If Lewandowski is absent for the first game and trying to regain match fitness for the remainder of the group stage, the hopes of Poland could well be in the hands of their goalkeeper. The Juventus shot stopper was the hero in their qualifying penalty shoot out and will again need to be at his very best if the Poles are to have any chance of qualifying. Recently linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, the former Arsenal man will have to recapture his prime in order to keep his team in games.

Player to look out for: Nicola Zalewski

Born in Italy to Polish parents, Zalewski has struggled to find consistency for Roma this season but still possesses many desirable qualities. The 22 year old looks set to be deployed at wing-back in this tournament, giving him the chance to showcase his direct dribbling ability as he gets forward. In a team without a whole lot of offensive talent, it may well fall on Zalewski to be a bright spark from the flank.

Group Prediction: 4th

As much as there is experience within the Polish ranks, I don’t feel that they have enough talent to advance to the next round. They find themselves in one of the toughest groups and given their struggles to even qualify, they could well find it difficult to get points on the board.