Toni Kroos inspires Germany to victory over Ukraine, while Northern Ireland taste defeat to Poland in Group C’s other Euro 2016 match. Meanwhile, in Group D Croatia’s midfielders impress against a lacklustre Turkey side.
Turkey 0 Croatia 1
A stunning Luka Modric strike illuminated an impressive Croatia display as Ante Cacic’s side demonstrated how to close out a 1-0 win against a limited Turkey outfit.
The Real Madrid star volleyed home from a cleared corner after 41 minutes to underscore a dominant performance in which the Croatians fired in 19 attempts, the highest of any side so far in the tournament.
Priced at 7.0 in the official Uefa game, Modric still looks costly for a player who often sits deep in the double pivot and offers a nominal goal threat – his match winner was the only attempt he had.
Others in Croatia’s much-vaunted midfield certainly threatened more. Ivan Perisic (7.5) created two chances and put over six crosses from the left. He also had two attempts, hitting the bar with one header. Ivan Rakitic (7.5) emerged as the more creative option, creating four chances, the highest of any player in the match, to make up for his solitary shot on goal.
But it was Marcelo Brozovic (6.5) who was the most busy – and profligate. The Inter Milan man attempted six crosses and a similar number of shots, five of which were inside the area, but he found the target just the once.
Captain Darijo Srna (6.0) looks the most well-rounded asset. As well as picking up clean sheet points (on the back of six shut-outs in 10 qualifying matches), the right back was a major attacking force. An impressive 13 crosses, five of which were successful, four corners and three set piece attempts, including one that hit the bar, point to a man with major scoring potential in both the Uefa game and DraftKings.
Fellow defender Ivan Strinic could emerge as a budget enabler. Priced at 4.0 in Uefa, he put in a solid enough display to suggest the left back berth is now his to lose, despite receiving a yellow card.
Turkey’s lack of ambition cost them. Midfielder Ozan Tufan had his side’s best chance of the match with a header in the 28th minute – the only close-range save Danijel Subasic had to make all match.
The introduction of teenage starlet Emre Mor might point to a bright future for the Turks, but it is Croatia who offer immediate prospects of success.
Poland 1 Northern Ireland 0
Poland made heavy weather of a well-drilled but over-cautious Northern Ireland side that failed to register a single attempt on goal.
The Poles had to wait until the 52nd minute to break down their obdurate opposition, Arkadiusz Milik drilling home a shot after excellent work by the impressive Jakub Blaszczykowski.
The latter was a threat throughout. Priced at 7.5 in the official Uefa game, the Fiorentina wide midfielder has major tournament pedigree, having been directly involved in three of his country’s last four Euro goals (two assists and a goal).
He and right back Lukasz Piszczek (5.5) put in six and five crosses and created two and one chance respectively. Blaszczykowski also had three goal attempts – only match winner Milik bettered that, with five.
In our Day 3 captaincy poll, star man Robert Lewandowski was backed by 21%. But the Pole went shotless after a feisty man-marking job by Jonny Evans, who recorded a match-best 13 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI).
The first half was as one-sided as it could get – Poland having 10 shots to their opponents’ zero – but Michael McGovern was rarely troubled in the Northern Ireland goal, a fine save from Bartosz Kapustka’s 37th minute effort one of only three he made all match.
Coach Michael O’Neill finally threw off the defensive shackles in the second half, switching to a 4-4-2 formation to provide Kyle Lafferty with a strike partner in Conor Washington, but Poland stood firm with the minimum of fuss.
That back line was well organised by Kamil Glik (5.0), who won seven of his eight aerial duels and recorded 12 CBIs, and full back Artur Jerdzejczyk, at 4.5, looks a good low-cost option after putting in six crosses and creating a chance to go with his clean sheet.
Northern Ireland need to start taking risks if they are to progress in the tournament, but the key issue for most is whether to stick with Lewandowski once the Uefa transfer window opens– the striker is an 11.5-priced asset without a shot to his name…and Germany up next.
Germany 2 Ukraine 0
A goal in each half helped Germany ease past a battling, but ultimately outclassed, Ukraine to top Group C.
The world champions were fluid and potent in attack, but their perceived defensive frailties were also apparent, with three fine saves by Manuel Neuer and a goal-line clearance from Jerome Boateng required to secure a clean sheet.
Real Madrid midfielder Kroos, priced at 7.0 in the official game, was the star performer, with his ball into the area from a free kick picking out centre-half Shkodran Mustafi to head home in the 20th minute.
Kroos’s all-round excellence has already marked him out as a solid DraftKings pick, but if he continues the form he displayed against Ukraine, he will be a major asset whatever the competition. He created five chances, completed 92.9% of his passes, took five corners and had three attempts – all match-leading figures, bar the corner tally, among those who played the full 90 minutes.
Mesut Ozil (8.5) owners can take some solace from the Arsenal midfielder’s four crosses and three chances created, including an assist for Germany’s second goal, which was scored by substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger. But so far Kroos looks to be offering far more points potential at a cheaper price tag in the official Uefa game.
Thomas Muller owners may be slightly more concerned. After topping our Game Day 3 captaincy poll he mustered just one shot in a listless showing.
Those tempted by the potential budget option of Mustafi, at 5.0 the second cheapest German defender, should be aware of the strong likelihood that Matts Hummels will return to provide greater experience and communication at the heart of Germany’s back line.
As for Ukraine, their previously solid defence were no match for an interchanging German front four, but midfielder Yevhen Konoplyanka (7.5) put in a real shift further up the pitch and his 14 crosses offer potential as a DraftKings option. He was also the only Ukrainian to manage more than one attempt on goal.
Ukranian keeper Andriy Pyatov (5.5) also impressed – his six saves was the equal-highest figure of the tournament so far.
Against lesser opposition, Ukraine could still make their mark on Group C. Germany, meanwhile, remain a work in progress when more prolific attacks come calling.
