This past Sunday at Euro 2016 saw thrills, spills and the non-appearance of one striker who was meant to be on fire.
Here’s our rundown of the Heroes and Villains of Matchday 3 of Euro 2016.
Heroes
Toni Kroos
“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”
Die Mannschaft were in fine form in their 2-0 win over Ukraine on Sunday and central to that was Toni Kroos’ magnificent performance in midfield. The Real Madrid man bossed the middle of the park, always available for the ball and killing Ukraine off with his varied passing. A good midfielder can chuck a 60 yard crossfield ball, a great one knows when it’s better to play it short. Sometimes the scalpel, sometimes the sledgehammer, Kroos is always dangerous.
Ivan Rakitic
From one midfield maestro to another. Luka Modric may have got the goal (and WHAT A GOAL) it was, but it was Rakitic’s shuttling in midfield that made Croatia’s win over Turkey possible. Football writer Musa Okwonga once posited that if Barcelona were the Avengers, the Croatian midfielder is their Hawkeye – underrated, yet just as deadly. Always remember, Rakitic was brought in to do the role at Barcelona that Cesc Fabregas lacked the tactical discipline to do.
Slaven Bilic
The West Ham manager has been top-drawer entertainment with his punditry on ITV. Passionate, yet informative, he’s a bit like your Dad after a few shandies watching the football. More please. Don’t forget to get Payet to sign a new long term deal too.
Joachim Löw
Taking time out of an important Euro 2016 game to remind men across Europe to check their testicles and prostate. What a guy. Good fashion sense too. (Although grey in summer comes with risks.)
Villains
Bastian Schweinsteiger
“Oh now you want to sprint about the place?” cried Manchester United fans. A wonderful goal, but Arsenal fans are probably right, we should be cheering that Ozil assist.
Arda Turan
Ozan Tufan may be in for some criticism for fixing his hair before Modric’s volley, but some goals are so good there’s no point pretending you’re anything other than a witness to brilliance. Instead it’s Arda Turan’s disappointing performance in midfield that caught our eye. When you’re the elder statesman for your team, you need to step up and unfortunately Arda went missing. After spending half the season on the sidelines thanks to the Barcelona transfer ban, everyone’s favourite roadman themed midfielder seems to be missing a step.
Michael O’Neill
Northern Ireland performed admirably in their game against Poland. Loss or not, they had a coherent plan and for the most part executed it well. Our complaint? The non-appearance of a certain striker…
The world was crying out for a Will Grigg to play on Sunday, how dare Michael deny us even a five-minute cameo.
