Old Juve’s Euro 2020 Predictions

Kevin Parvizi

Winner: France

I could try to be clever with this one, but I am going with the odds-on favourite in France. They are just way too talented all-around and have a fluid trio in attack that should take the tournament by storm. Yes, Karim Benzema is very much that influential in solidifying France as favourites, as anyone who has watched him closely these past two seasons will attest.

Golden Boot: Romelu Lukaku

I took way too long with this one, but ultimately I settled on Romelu Lukaku. Not only is he in fine form coming into Euro 2020 after his displays for Inter en route to a Serie A triumph, but he is also going to be so important to his national team. Belgium will rely on Lukaku to create and finish off moves, but more so the latter. They don’t really have another goal-scoring option, aside from the occasional chip-in from Kevin de Bruyne. Eden Hazard is a wild card, but Lukaku is the new superstar for the Red Devils.

Surprise early exit: Netherlands

Is it really even a surprise to say that the Netherlands will be bounced out of the tournament early? They look like a team without a real plan, and, quite frankly, Frank de Boer is in the running as the most “in over his head” manager in the tournament. I believe in some of the players in this team, such as Memphis Depay and Matthijs de Ligt, but I think their manager hasn’t got a clue how to maximize the more iffy starters.

Underdog: Turkey

I was tempted to roll with Austria, because they have a couple of top-class players in Kalajdzic, Alaba, and Sabitzer to go with a robust midfield and defence. But how can I go against Turkey? They have one of the standout players of Ligue 1 up top in Burak Yilmaz, who was beyond phenomenal for the league champions Lille. Their centre backs are among the best in the tournament, and I think they have enough supplemental talent between the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Karaman to do some damage. Turkey plays with real togetherness and has the extra bite to make them one of the toughest teams to face in the tournament.

Player to Watch: Jeremy Doku

With nearly four dribbles completed per game this past season at Rennes, Jeremy Doku is going to be one of the most exciting players to watch this year, and fanbases of clubs like Liverpool will be watching him closely as a potential transfer target. The right-sided winger is going to be Belgium’s X-Factor, especially creatively. Kevin de Bruyne should be back, but Eden Hazard’s immediate future is unknown. And that could mean more opportunities for the electrifying Doku, who is yet another highly positive attacking force in this squad.

Player of the Tournament: N’Golo Kante

It really feels like this is N’Golo Kante’s year, much like 2018 was Luka Modric’s. The Ballon d’Or appears to be calling his name, and perhaps Kante’s biggest challenger to this honour will be his own teammates. Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe are two of the favourites for this honour, and Antoine Griezmann was certainly no slouch in France’s last tournament triumph. But Kante is vital to France in a highly specific way, meaning the spotlight he’s starting to get for his intelligent defending, endless running, and leadership qualities won’t be usurped by anyone around him. Not even 2018 World Cup star Paul Pogba.

Juventus Star of the Tournament: Cristiano Ronaldo

I seriously considered Federico Chiesa for this spot, just as we have all weighed the merits of Chiesa or Cristiano Ronaldo as Juventus Player of the Season. But ultimately, I leaned in the direction of Ronaldo for this question as well. Ronaldo won the Euros four years ago, even if his team crossed the finish line via heroics from Eder – and not the fallen captain. The motivation Ronaldo has is on a different level, both because time is running out for him in international football and because of the whispers behind his back regarding Juve’s poor season.

This Portugal team is the strongest Ronaldo has been a part of, perhaps even including the team that made the third-place game in the 2006 World Cup. There will be no crawling until the end or parking the bus for this year’s Portugal. They need to be at their best to make it out of the ‘Group of Death’ and then contend with other great teams elsewhere like Italy and Belgium. I believe Ronaldo, as he has always done, will be up to the challenge with a Portugal squad that certainly has the talent to support his work. On paper, he is the best player on the second-best team in the tournament.

How far will Italy progress? Semi-finals

I am very bullish on this year’s Italy side. Roberto Mancini has done a tremendous job of getting this team to play to its strengths, highlighting the individual qualities of the midfielders and forwards. Italy is playing exciting, progressive football, and they have some incredible players. Their midfield might actually be the best in the tournament and is five-deep, with the likes of Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella being the main standouts.

Lorenzo Insigne is a Player of the Tournament sleeper and deserves more love. My only worry is if Mancini starts Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini together too frequently, but, aside from that, this is a strong, well-rounded squad. They are as good contenders as anyone not named France.