Preview & Possible lineups: What to expect in day 2 of Euro 2024 tournament

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Germany began the Euro 2024 tournament on a high, recording a 5-1 bashing of Scotland in Munich on Friday.

This has set a smooth tone ahead of day 2 of the quadrennial tournament.

Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug and Emre Can all scored for the hosts. Antonio Rüdiger’s own goal served as the only consolation for the Tartan Army.

On day 2 of the Euro 2024 Championship, three games will be played. The earliest being a Group A game between Hungary and Switzerland in Cologne.

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Spain and Croatia will face each other in the day’s second fixture to be played in Munich. Holders Italy will round off the day’s set of games with an encounter to be played in Dortmund against Albania.

Hungary vs Switzerland (14:00 GMT+1/WAT)

Hungary are now becoming a team to be reckoned with after making it to their third straight Euro. They will count on their captain Dominik Szoboszlai to lead a formidable side out against Switzerland.

The last time both sides met at a major tournament was 86 years ago – the 1938 World Cup. Hungary won the game 2-0.

However, recent meetings have favoured Switzerland. In Germany, the Swiss will be buoyed by the ever-efficient and energetic Xherdan Shaqiri.

Inspirational leader Granit Xhaka, who had a memorable season with Bayer Leverkusen, will be key. Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is also an experienced player in the team.

Possible line-ups:

Hungary XI: Gulácsi; Lang, Orbán, Szalai; Bolla, Ádám Nagy, Schäfer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga.

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Ndoye; Shaqiri, Amdouni, Vargas.

Spain vs Croatia (17:00 GMT+1/WAT)

Spain and Croatia open Group B with a promising clash. Both sides parade an array of stars that makes the encounter much anticipated.

From Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic to Barcelona duo Pedri and Lamine Yamal, we expect a cracker.

Spain are three-time winners and will be aiming to kick-off their campaign on a winning note. However, they confront a tough and spirited Croatian set up capable to breaking their hearts.

Possible line-ups:

Spain XI: Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Grimaldo; Merino, Rodri, Pedri; Lamine, Morata, Williams.

Croatia XI: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Gvardiol; Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić; Majer, Budimir, Kramarić.

Italy vs Albania (20:00 GMT+1/WAT)

This is the first ever meeting between Italy and Albania at a major tournament. However, Italy have been victorious in all four of the previous meetings between the two countries by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Gianluca Scamacca, who won the Europa League with Atalanta, will lead the holders’ attack. He’s supported by the likes of Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa.

Azzurri also possess midfield generals like Nicolo Barella and Jorginho who are capable of causing damage.

Possible line-ups:

Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca.

Albania XI: Berisha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi.