Euro 2008 - Mystic Matthaeus: Group C

Eurosport - Tue, 17 Jun 22:12:00 2008

Former Germany captain and expert Eurosport pundit Lothar Matthaeus turns his thoughts to the final round of Euro 2008 Group C action.

FOOTBALL 2008 Euro 2008 Netherlands-France Henry Ribery - 0

Matthaeus, a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990 and the most capped German player of all time, will be giving us his thoughts on every game throughout the three-week long tournament.

And he is certainly well placed to do so - as well as featuring at five World Cups, the former World and European Player of the Year has appeared at four European Championships, winning one, in 1980.

The Germany legend foresees an early exit for world champions Italy and an unbeaten Romania leaving the tournament with their heads held high.

Lothar says: FRANCE 1-0 ITALY

"I am backing the French to make it through to the knock-out stages with a 1-0 win; in short, because it will be revenge for the 2006 World Cup final in Germany."

Disciplinary situation: Suspended: None.

Misses next match if booked: 6-Claude Makelele (France), 19-Willy Sagnol (France), 10-Daniele De Rossi (Italy), 8-Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), 21-Andrea Pirlo (Italy), 9-Luca Toni (Italy), 19-Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy).

Changes: Defenders Lilian Thuram and Willy Sagnol could pay the price for the 4-1 defeat to the Dutch. Lassana Diarra or Francois Clerc are ready to come in for Sagnol on the right side of the defence with Eric Abidal a likely replacement for Thuram.

Captain Patrick Vieira is again ruled out with a thigh injury.

Coach Raymond Domenech believes his side must win to secure a berth in the quarter finals and this could result in a switch from his 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-4-2 system with Karim Benzema alongside Thierry Henry up front.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has not confirmed media reports that Antonio Cassano would start, saying he was keeping his line-up secret this time.

The day before Friday's 1-1 draw with Romania, Donadoni said Alessandro Del Piero would start but the 33-year-old had an average game and could now make way for Cassano.

Key stats: Italy have beaten France just once in 30 years - on penalties in the 2006 World Cup final. Italy's five successful penalty takers that day are all in the squad for Tuesday's match - Andrea Pirlo, Marco Materazzi, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Grosso.

Italy finished ahead of France in qualifying for the finals despite losing 3-1 in Paris and drawing 0-0 in Milan.

Lothar says: NETHERLANDS 1-1 ROMANIA

"Both teams are really attacking, and tactically very astute. On paper, the Netherlands are favourites because of their players, but the Romanians have looked good so far and I can see them getting a point against the Dutch."

Disciplinary situation: Suspended: 15-Dorin Goian (Romania - one match).

Misses next game if booked: 2- Andre Ooijer (Netherlands), 17- Nigel De Jong (Netherlands), 2- Cosmin Contra (Romania), 5-Cristian Chivu (Romania), 10- Adrian Mutu, 18- Marius Niculae (Romania).

Injured: 6-Mirel Radoi (Romania - head).

Changes: Dutch coach Marco van Basten is likely to replace the two players who are one yellow card away from a suspension. John Heitinga should come in for Andre Ooijer in defence and Demy de Zeeuw is likely to replace Nigel de Jong in midfield.

Romania are without Mirel Radoi for the rest of the tournament after his clash of heads with team-mate Razvan Rat in the draw with Italy, Stefan Radu should deputise. Midfielders Banel Nicolita and Razvan Cocis, substitutes in the draw with Italy, are also in line to start the match.

Key stats: Romania took four points off Netherlands in qualifying for the finals. A goalless draw in Rotterdam was followed by a 1-0 win in Constanta, Dorin Goian scoring the only goal in Romania's first win over the Dutch.

Netherlands' 4-1 win over France on Friday meant that the Dutch have qualified for the knockout stages of the European Championships for the sixth consecutive tournament.

Follow live text commentary on the games right here on eurosport.yahoo.com at 19:45 UK time on Tuesday.

Eurosport

Comment 23 - 42 of 42

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  1. Matthaeus, please go on predicting losses for Italy. It just brings good luck!

    From Giovanni T, on Wed 18 Jun 8:12AM

  2. Hey 'Mystic' Mattheus' dont quit your day job you bum! Italy WINS HA HA!!!!

    From ben6ft2, on Wed 18 Jun 12:55AM

  3. Has 'Mystic' Mattheus actually got a single result even close ?

    From pete_lenart, on Tue 17 Jun 10:24PM

  4. Romanaia ce mai penala echipa de la euro , @#$% plm sa joace in halu asta , parca ar fi jucat un meci amical, RUSINE !!!!!!!!!

    From sile l, on Tue 17 Jun 9:55PM

  5. romania will win...........
    dreamland,ohhhhh dreamland
    the strongest are strongest, guys
    see you!

    From ale g, on Tue 17 Jun 9:49PM

  6. France will lose to Italy because the stars will tell Dommenech to leave Ribery out of the squad. .

    France and Italy weren't much special up to now, but they usually aren't, and it would be only typical if whichever of them wins and goes to the knockout phase would reach the final with a string of boring 1-0 wins and penalty shootouts.

    France are probably gonna be awesome in World Cup 2010 or Euro 2012, when their old players are out and their young talents are a couple years more experienced.

    From lolqbabolq, on Tue 17 Jun 7:21PM

  7. Does no one actually pay attention to how the teams are playing now? France did nothing against the Dutch or Romanians except show their ineptness. Italy dominated Romania but had a few unlucky plays (errant offsides call by officials, unthinkable pass-back by Zambrotta). Of course that game won't matter because as good as Romania is playing and with the Dutch already through, Romania will pull out the win and send both Italy and France home.

    From crazyace13, on Tue 17 Jun 5:32PM

  8. the match between italy n france doesnt matter..because netherland will lose against romania..hahahaha

    From Bojan, on Tue 17 Jun 5:29PM

  9. Destiny will have Italy stay in this tournament.The first reason is that,UEFA is trying to Eliminate the AZZURIS.But for BUFFON to save MUTU's spot kick it show Romania are out of this tournament and ITALY will go through.LOTHER is just fake guy.E no get levels.

    From n_aroloye, on Tue 17 Jun 5:29PM

  10. Romannia !!!!!!!
    E cea mai tare !!!!!!!!
    HAI ROMANIA !!!!!!!!!!

    From sile l, on Tue 17 Jun 4:08PM

  11. i totally respect mathaeus as a player, but as an analyst-well he is kinda wrong. i didn't see happening any of his recent predictions in group c so, i'm not sure we can put value on what he is suggesting. so what i hope is that italy and france will make a draw- the match will have plenty of tension and i guess none of the two teams will want the other one to qualify.and romania will hopefully make a heroic match to win. they deserve it. thet showed class in a death group. nobody gave them a single chance against italy or france but..... i think after tonight's game the power rankings will suffer some modifications. a romanian victory tonight will have to put them on the top 5 .

    From bogdan p, on Tue 17 Jun 4:06PM

  12. Surely Mutu and Chivu will give %100 for their country, they'll need too!!!

    From stephenfinlay22, on Tue 17 Jun 3:52PM

  13. I am Romanian and know we have a big team here that could potentially beat the Netherlands. The problem is that this game will be of extreme force rather than tactic. Some Romanian players will be wasted on the field, but not our best, rather the ones from the domestic championship. What riddles me is if Mutu and Chivu will give their best risking to get injured in the process or just get away and give average performance. They cannot afford to risk their careerd for single play. It will be an interesting game. If indeed they will exercise their strength to the fullest, Netherlands will not push it too far, they still need to win the EURO. Our team will surely not make it beyond the quarters

    From Dub A, on Tue 17 Jun 3:33PM

  14. i agree that it is stupid

    From stefan.lelapinvilain, on Tue 17 Jun 3:29PM

  15. is it really matthaeus writing these stupid predictions?

    From Pana, on Tue 17 Jun 3:27PM

  16. I dont think holland will be to bothered if they meet either France or Italy in the semi's as they have already battered both teams but Romania managed to take 4 points of them in qualifying!! I do think Hollands brilliant counter attacking will cause problems for Romania as they have to go for the win. I do agree it is stupid that teams meet again in the semi's!!

    From stephenfinlay22, on Tue 17 Jun 3:11PM

  17. I'm sure it suits Holland to give their B-team a run out against Romania. I'm not saying Holland will intentionally lose, (the Holland reserve team will all be trying to show they should feature in the later rounds) but given the (stupid, in my opinion) tournament set-up whereby that teams from the same group can meet again in the semi-finals, it might also suit Holland to have Italy and France both go home after tonight's match. Italy and France have the experience and depth (like Germany) to get stronger as tournaments go on.
    Better surely to send them both home while you have the chance.

    From pabst_blue_ribbon_1844, on Tue 17 Jun 2:58PM

  18. netherlands might try and lose so that italy and france go out but france and italy still have a chance
    group c is very intresting

    From stefan.lelapinvilain, on Tue 17 Jun 2:45PM

  19. Italy, and now France, play such boring and cynical football i would love to see Romania move on instead.

    From MaoChop, on Tue 17 Jun 2:36PM

  20. i like my Dutch to continue on their patch of destruction. guys like robben, huntelaar, and van persie will all look to tally goals. they will contice to play their style. their defense may be suspect if Marco rests players, but romania can't play not to lose in this one like they did against italy and france, which may leave them open at the back. i expect a result from france-italy... good, close game i will say 2-1 in favour of france. both teams will look to open it up a bit.

    From dudrich, on Tue 17 Jun 2:25PM
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