History against France against Germany

The Euro 2016 hosts have the home advantage, but they have never won against Germany in an official match in the past 58 years.

The second semi-final of Euro 2016 is a great opportunity for France to take revenge on Germany, after the 0-1 defeat in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup. In that match in Brazil, Matt Hummels scored the only goal in the 13th minute. Today, this central defender cannot play, and this can be considered a big loss for the German defense system.

France today has a chance to avenge the 0-1 defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup. Photo: Reuters.

Moussa Sissoko was an unused substitute for the Blues that day. But the midfielder has declared that revenge is France's priority in today's clash in Marseille. "We want to beat Germany at all costs, to reach the final. The pain of being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup is still stuck in my throat and the team's," Sissoko said at a press conference ahead of the semi-final.

The 26-year-old Newcastle midfielder added: “We have a more composed and composed squad now than we did two years ago, and we got some good results at Euro 2016. In theory, Thursday night is the biggest game of the tournament.”

Germany were the favourites before the tournament kicked off. But France have come into the semi-finals in better form, at least judging by their recent results. Most recently, the hosts crushed Iceland in the quarter-finals with a 5-2 scoreline.

France's four stars, Olivier Giroud, Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann, were all on target at the Stade de France in the epic quarter-final. They and their teammates will be back at the national stadium on Sunday night if they overcome world champions Germany in the semi-finals.

The French attack is flourishing thanks to the steady brilliance of key players like Griezmann, Payet, and Giroud. Photo: Reuters.

Germany’s performances also left no doubt about their status as a title contender. But the road to the semi-finals for the “Panzer” was not easy, as they could only overcome Italy in the quarter-finals by winning a penalty shootout. Joachim Low’s team topped Group C with two wins (2-0, 1-0) and a 0-0 draw, mainly thanks to the solidity of the defense and the ability to control the game from the midfield, but lacking the explosiveness of the strikers. It was not until the round of 16 that Germany for the first time at Euro 2016 confirmed their attacking power as initially expected, when they defeated Slovakia with a result of 3-0.

Notable statistics:

Alain Giresse is the last French player to score against Germany at a major tournament, in the 1982 World Cup semi-finals.

France have never kept a clean sheet in four meetings with Germany in major tournaments (World Cup and Euro).

The most recent confrontation between France and Germany was on November 13, 2015. Didier Deschamps' team won 2-0 in a friendly at the Stade de France, which took place at the same time as the capital Paris was hit by terrorist attacks.

Germany have reached the semi-finals of all six of their last major tournaments (WC 2006, Euro 2008, WC 2010, Euro 2012, WC 2014, Euro 2016), the longest such run ever by a European team.

However, the last time Germany won the European Championship was 20 years ago, at Euro 1996. This is the longest title drought in Euro history for the teams that have won this tournament.

Germany have won 14 of their last 18 games at major tournaments, drawing three and losing just one (1-2 to Italy in the Euro 2012 semi-finals).

Germany have kept more clean sheets than any other team at Euro 2016 (four out of five). Their only goal conceded so far was a penalty in the quarter-final against Italy.

Germany's possession in the Euro 2016 group stage averaged 72%, but dropped to 61% in the knockout stages.

Sissoko promises to add steel and mobility to the French midfield when they play Germany today. Photo: Reuters.

The two sides' forces before the decisive battle.Germany will be without striker Mario Gomez, who will be out for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury. The Fiorentina star started the quarter-final but scans later confirmed he had suffered a torn muscle in his leg.

Captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was fit on the eve of the semi-final, but midfielder Sami Khedira is not fit to play today. Centre-back Hummels, who scored against France in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals, is also suspended.

Meanwhile, France have no suspended players in the semi-finals, and also welcome back both N'Golo Kante and Adil Rami after their suspensions ended.

According to L'Equipe, although these two players have returned to the squad, Samuel Umtiti will still start in the center of defense, while Sissoko will continue to be trusted in the central midfield position.

Prediction by Sky Sports expert Paul Merson(former Arsenal and England winger). “France looked strong in the quarter-final win over Iceland. But I think Germany will settle the semi-final in the first 90 minutes. I predict Germany to win 2-1 against France.”

Meanwhile, BBC's Mark Lawrenson believes the home team will win 2-0.

According to VNE