Euro 2024 : MM Group B Prediction & Breakdown

It’s no secret that International tournaments are the holy grail for any football fan, something anticipated worldwide and watched live by millions. Hosted in Germany this year, the Euro 2024 Championship kicks off this evening, 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 B consists of Albania, Croatia, Italy and Spain, and so our group-by-group breakdown starts alphabetically with Albania.

Albania

Playing in only their second Euros ever, Albania can count themselves unlucky that they have been drawn in arguably the toughest group in the tournament. The arrival of former Arsenal man Sylvinho in the hot seat has transformed the national team, who went from just one win in 11 in 2022 to qualifying top of their group. Set to play a 4-3-3 line up with a solid base, the Albanians will be hoping they can cause at least one upset against the giants of European football they are expected to come up against.

Star Player: Armando Broja

The Chelsea big man will be leading the line for his country and needs to hit the ground running if they Albania are to have any chance of making it out of the group stages. In a 4-3-3 he will be the focal point and can use his size and hold up play to bring other attacking threats into the game. Having struggled to break into the first team during a loan spell at Fulham in the last campaign, Broja will see this as an opportunity to put himself in the shop window for next season.

Player to look out for: Kristjan Asllani

At just 22 years of age Asllani has already proven himself to be an integral part of Sylvinho’s plans. Having spent much of the season as a backup to the likes of Nico Barella and Hakan Calhanoglou at Inter, he has seen more game time recently having been rotated into the starting 11 after his side clinched the Serie A title. Sitting at the base of a midfield three, this young talent will need to play the best football of his career for Albania to progress.

Group Prediction: 4th

It is testament to Sylvinho’s management and the attitude to his players that Albania have managed to reach this tournament. However, given the strength of their group and a lack of playing time for many of the squad at their respective clubs, this could well be a bridge too far for the team in red and black.

Words : Joe Simpson

Croatia

Croatia have, in recent years, been a very tricky and often overperforming team within International football. A team predominantly consisting of older and more experienced players, I sense a lack of youth and new talent in the squad may cost them this tournament; however, can they do what they’ve done in past years and surprise us all again?

Star Player : Luka Modric

Luka Modric is one of the best midfielders of our generation, there’s no doubt, and an absolute staple for the Croatian team. A safe bet for our Star Player section, an International tournament hasn’t gone by without him performing and guiding his side with his major experience to some quality results.

Player to look out for: Josko Gvardiol

One of the youngest players in this Croatian team but still one of the most experienced through his brilliant first couple of seasons with Manchester City, Gvardiol is solid both defensively and can be a threat on the offensive as well. Solidified as their first-choice left-back, his fitness will be crucial to Croatia’s gameplan, and his innate ability to get down the flank will cause nothing but problems for opposition defences I have no doubt.

Group Prediction : 2nd

Although tough to predict between Italy and Croatia for the 2nd place spot, Croatia has a real knack for grinding results in the most unforeseen circumstances. The experience and age of their squad will go one of two ways, and based on Italy’s defensive stature in most International games, I feel as if the experience will guide them to the 3 points in that game at least. As far as past the group goes, I’m not sure if Croatia will make it much further than a Round of 16, with a potential lack of youth costing them.

Words : Harvey Marwood

Italy

Although Italy are previous winners of this tournament, they arrive in Germany with little fanfare. Underdogs in Euro 2021, Roberto Mancini guided his raging side to the pinnacle, but the former Manchester City coach has been replaced with Luciano Spalletti. The former Napoli boss has high standards and will lead a well drilled Italian side, but will that be enough to get them out of a tricky group?

Star Player: Nicolo Barella

Although Gianluigi Donarumma has been given the captain’s armband by Spalletti, Nico Barella will have to lead the Azzurri in the engine room. The Inter midfielder has been struggling with injuries in the build up to the tournament but should be fit and available for the first game against Albania. With a lack of elite offensive weapons, this throwback, box to box player will have to chip in going forward as well as protecting what looks set to be a back three in defence.

Player to look out for: Gianluca Scamacca

Although he flopped at West Ham it wasn’t necessarily because of his lack of talent. He may not have got up to speed with the pace and physicality of the Premier League but Scamacca enjoyed a decent season with Atalanta, scoring 19 goals in all competitions and winning the Europa League in the process. Tasked with leading the line for his country in this tournament, the onus will be on him to find his form early if Italy wish to make it out of the group.

Group Prediction: 3rd

It feels as if it will be a toss up between Croatia and Italy for second place in this group. Given that Italy are in the midst of a rebuild, I feel like this tournament might have just come too quickly for them, although if they get off to a strong start against Albania they could well use that momentum to their advantage for the remainder of the group stage.

Words : Joe Simpson

Spain

Envisioned favourites to win the group, Spain’s Euro’s kicks off with a game against Croatia on 15th June. A combination of younger and more experienced talent, they’ll be looking to get the ground running with some big performances in the group stages. Fresh off the back of a Nations League win in the 22/23 season, their last major trophy dates back to 2010, when they beat Netherlands 1-0 to win the World Cup. Can the Spanish team taste International victory again?

Star Player : Lemine Yamal

The youngest player in the squad at just 16 years old, Lemine Yamal becomes the youngest to ever play in a European Championship. Gifted with great technical ability and offensive flair, the teenager will be destined to show the world what he can do on an International scale, and is a player that football fans worldwide will be excited to watch in the biggest world fixtures. Providing he can stay clear of injuries, I expect Yamal will have a great tournament and is a major candidate for Young Player of the Tournament should Spain live up to their hype and expectations.

Player to look out for : Pedri

Another class player from the Spanish side, Pedri at 21 years old is another brilliant talent in the squad. Partnering up with Rodri and Ruiz in the midfield, Spain will have the perfect balance of attack and box-to-box midfielders and will likely present themselves as a tough team to break down. One of Barcelona’s star men in recent years despite inconsistencies throughout their squad, Pedri is a player that can both unlock an opposition defence and also shut down an opposition attack, offering the best of both worlds for a midfield player.

Group Prediction : 1st

I’d expect Spain to breeze through this group despite the stature of both Italy and Croatia in International football. Despite Italy’s Euro win against England last tournament, I feel as if Spain will feel they have something to prove, to try and recreate their most recent magic moment of their World Cup win 14 years ago. Their balance between youth and experience within their side should take them far.

Words : Harvey Marwood