The Euro 2015 Under 21 tournament is set to get underway tomorrow evening, when hosts Czech Republic square up to Denmark at 5pm UK time. As we’ve already mentioned, the official McDonald’s game on the UEFA site allows Fantasy managers some welcome relief as we while away the days until domestic action returns.
After assessing the ruleset at the weekend, we now turn our attentions to the eight teams involved, outlining likely targets from each of the squads involved.
To an extent, analysing the respective teams is somewhat tricky for Fantasy managers. Some of the countries involved have called up a number of senior internationals, which can pose problems when assessing previous Under 21 team sheets – players who perhaps featured less in the qualifying campaigns will become more instrumental in the final stages.
Portugal, for example, have named eight senior players in their 23-man squad, with a couple of them – Bernardo Silva and William Carvalho – taking part in duties with the senior squad right up until this evening’s friendly against Italy. Czech Republic and Serbia’s squads, meanwhile, each contain three senior players, whilst Denmark’s highly-rated Ajax attacker Viktor Fischer returned to action in April after 14 months on the sidelines.
Having assessed the squads and their statistics and teamsheets over the months leading up to the tournament, we list the likely protagonists that will form the backbone of our Fantasy lineups, with some budget options thrown in for your perusal.
Group A
Czech Republic
As the hosts of this year’s tournament, the Czech Republic were not involved in the qualification process – thus making it trickier to pinpoint the standout Fantasy assets within their squad. In the absence of any competitive fixtures, Jakub Dovalil’s men embarked on seven friendlies throughout the year. Two wins and as many clean sheets over that stretch isn’t a great return, yet the fact they conceded just five goals in their last six outings reveals a certain resilience. On that note, Sparta Prague right-back Pavel Kaderabek could be an astute budget pick-up. Priced at just 4.5, the 23-year-old defender tallied four goals and as many assists in 25 appearances for his domestic club last term, highlighting his attacking potential.
With three goals in six matches – making him Czech Republic’s leading scorer during their string of friendlies – left-sided midfielder Tomas Prikyrl (5.5) presents a strong case. On the opposite flank, Ladislav Krejčí (5.5) has also displayed a penchant for finishing of late, serving up four goals and one assist in eight Europa League ties for Sparta Prague. Lukas Masopust is available for just 4.5 and has started each of the last three friendlies on the right of midfield, though there are still some concerns over his pitch time.
Up top, Vaclav Kadlec (6.5) is undoubtedly their ace in the pack. Also plying his trade at Sparta Prague, the full international chalked up nine goals in 13 leagues ties last season and boasts seven strikes in 13 appearances at U21 level. The 31%-owned Kadlec is suspended for the opening match, however, suggesting he’s one to consider for those determined to wildcard after the opening round of matches has passed.
Denmark
Regarded as a dark horse to claim the crown, Denmark were one of four teams (England, Germany and Portugal being the others) that remained unbeaten during the qualifiers. Furthermore, Jess Thorup’s troops recorded more goals (38 in 12 matches) than any other outfit, illustrating the potency of their forward line.
A permanent fixture during their qualifying campaign, Jannik Vestergaard (5.5) registered three goals in eight outings. The 6ft 6in giant centre-back carded 15 appearances for Werder Bremen and will doubtless present a major threat in the box from set-piece situations. Elsewhere in defence, left-back Jonas Knudsen (5.0) offers security of starts, having played in nine qualifying matches and their most recent friendly against Sweden, though right-back Alexander Scholz (4.0) – who captained Denmark in that clash with Sweden and has started each of their last four – could prove a better value option here. Similarly, Juventus’ Frederick Sorensen also comes in at 4.0 and, with Aston Villa’s Jores Okore missing out through injury, is likely to partner Vestegaard in the heart of the back-four.
Between the posts, though, it remains to be seen whom Thorup will select. Certainly, at a price of 4.0, Jakob “Busk” Jensen – who started seven of the qualifiers – is the most budget-friendly, but his manager has admitted he is still uncertain over who will start against the Czech Republic. Luckily, we will have time to assess the teamsheet from tomorrow’s first fixture prior to finalising our squads.
Denmark’s midfield furnishes us with couple of good options. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (8.5) is the most eye-catching candidate and is priced as such. The all-action Bayern Munich midfielder notched two goals and three assists last season, with his playing time (1295 minutes) split between his parent club and a loan spell at FC Augsburg – he is expected to recover from a thigh knock in time for tomorrow’s opener.
Lasse Vigen Christensen (7.5) – Fulham’s teenage sensation – could be the more valuable acquisition, given that he tallied five goals in ten qualifying matches. Although the similarly-priced Nicolaj Thomsen ranked second in term of assists (five) during the qualifying stages and also netted three times, his starting berth is perhaps in question as the injuries ease for the Danes.
Classified as a forward, Ajax left winger Viktor Fischer (9.0) was sidelined for the bulk of last season yet managed to record three goals in four appearances upon his return. Right winger Pione Sisto (9.0) resides in the forward bracket, having netted eight goals and four assists in just 1552 minutes of pitch time for Danish Superliga outfit FC Midtjylland. Yussuf Poulsen – who has started each of the last two for the senior side – looks under-priced at 7.5. The RB Lepizig frontman bagged 11 goals in 24 matches in the previous campaign and also grabbed the opener in the senior squad’s 2-0 win over Serbia during their Euro 2016 qualifying fixture last week.
Germany
Unsurprisingly, Germany are the bookies favourites to triumph in Czech Republic. Horst Hrubesch’s squad exhibited a dominance becoming of the senior side during qualifying, winning eight and drawing two of their match-ups. Considering they ranked third in terms of average goals scored per game (3.0) and second in terms of average goals conceded per game (0.5), coverage at both ends of the pitch looks paramount.
On the defensive front, Wolfsburg centre-back Robin Knoche (6.0) is on the verge of a senior call-up, having tallied 69 Bundesliga appearances in his career to date. Meanwhile, his central defensive partner – Borussia Dortmund’s Matthias Ginter (5.5) – has already earned five senior caps and looks like a sure-fire starter. Coming in at 6.5, Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is pricier than any defensive team-mate but could be worth the outlay due to his save point potential. Those on the lookout for a bargain, however, could well consider Julian Korb. Setting you back a mere 4.5, the right-back started 23 Bundesliga matches for Borussia MGladbach last term- he featured just twice in the qualifiers and is not 100% guaranteed to start but is very highly-regarded and could stake a claim for a regular role. Bearing in mind the Germans produced seven shut-outs in ten qualifiers, their defence could well be a steady source of points.
Emre Can might be one of the first names on the teamsheet, but he hasn’t scored in nine matches for the U21s. With the Liverpool man expected to take his place in midfield, the threat of rotation looks rife in the centre of the park. Dortmund’s Moritz Leitner spent last season on loan at Stuttgart and started seven of the qualifiers, grabbing two goals and as many assists. At 7.0, he offers a mid-price route into the starting XI and could also be set for spot-kick duties, having netted a penalty in a recent 2-2 draw with Italy. Elsewhere in the double-pivot, Johanes Geis brings plenty of top-flight experience with Bundesliga outfit FC Mainz, though will set you back 8.5. Nineteen-year-old starlet Max Meyer (9.5) will be expected to nail down a starting berth – he registered at every stage of his international youth career and recorded five goals in 19 league encounters last term.
Germany’s top scorer during qualifying with seven goals in ten outings, Philipp Hoffman (11.0) is expected to spearhead Hrubesch’s favoured 4-3-2-1 formation. The FC Kaiserslautern marksman excels at this level, as evidenced by his nine goals in 15 appearances and brace against England back in March. Nonetheless, he’s not Germany’s most expensive asset, as Kevin Volland (12.0) demands a greater outlay: the 22-year-old winger’s output during qualifying (six goals in as many starts) and the past Bundesliga season (eight goals and seven assists) underline an unrivalled potential for attacking returns. Volland’s classification as a forward may deter some from investing, however.
Serbia
Serbia are somewhat hamstrung by their inability to call up a few key members of their youth set-up – including the likes of Matija Nastasic and Lazar Markovic – due to senior internationals, yet it would be unwise to underestimate them. The Young Eagles produced a huge shock in qualifying, beating Spain – who’d won the previous two competitions in 2011 and 2013 and were undefeated in 35 competitive matches – in a two-legged play-off.
In terms of defensive prospects, the Serbs managed just three clean sheets over ten qualifying matches – only Sweden (two) registered less. Nonetheless, at a price of just 3.5 million, captain Marko Petkovic offers one of the cheapest options around for those on the lookout for a bargain.
Serbia’s strength lies in a couple of talented midfielders. Filip Djuricic (7.5) couldn’t cement a starting berth during his loan spell at Southampton, yet he does boast seven goals in 38 appearances across the U21 and senior Serbia squads. Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Milos Jojic (7.0) made nine appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s team last term and chalked up three goals in 16 appearances for the U21s.
Although Serbia placed nineteenth for average goals scored per game (two) in the qualifying stages, Toulouse striker Aleksandar Pesic (7.5) – who netted three times in six appearances for the U21s – offers the choice route into their unspectacular forward line.
Group B
England
For once, confidence in England’s trophy chances at an international tournament isn’t misplaced. Commandeered by Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions cruised through the qualification stages, winning 11 and drawing one of their 12 fixtures. Given that only Denmark (38) tallied more goals (35) and England’s defence was breached on fewer occasions (four) than any other nation, there are alluring prospects at both ends of the pitch.
Starting from the back, Carl Jenkinson (6.0) has chalked up two goals and two assists in 11 appearances for the U21s, while Everton’s John Stones lays claim to a solitary assist in 12 outings. Team-mate Luke Garbutt (5.0) has started England’s last two fixtures and has some dead-ball duties up his sleeve, whilst Stoke stopper Jack Butland sets you back 6.0 as a route into a defence that served up more clean sheets (eight) than any other side during qualifying. At 4.5, Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson could be the best value route, though. The centre-half bagged the winner against Belarus last week and could be poised to partner Stones in the heart of defence, though he’s by no means 100% nailed-on right now.
Norwich City’s Nathan Redmond (8.0) ended the qualifying campaign as England’s third-top scorer (three goals) and netted against Germany back in March. Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is slightly more expensive at 8.5 but boasts set-piece duties to heighten his appeal – he played all but one of the qualifiers and found the net on a couple of occasions.
The joint-priciest player among the full roster, Harry Kane (12.0) comes into this tournament in fine fettle after scoring all three of Spurs’ goals in their two post-season matches, though Saido Berahino (10.5) is far friendlier on the budget and is likely to retain spot-kick duties for Southgate’s side.
Italy
Defeated by Spain in the 2013 final, The Azzurrini will be looking to go one better this time around. Inter Milan shot-stopper Francesco Bardi (5.5) started all of Italy’s qualifying fixtures, restricting their opposition to only six goals in the previous nine competitive matches. Casting an eye over their rearguard options, Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani’s (6.0) resume includes a wealth of Serie A experience (five goals in 78 appearances on loan to Empoli) and an impressive goalscoring record for Italy’s U21s (two goals in four matches). Roma’s Alessio Romagnoli is very modestly priced at just 4.0 and could be poised to partner Rugani in the heart of defence – he’s not a guaranteed starter, though, and his acquisition carries a degree of risk.
Moving further forward, Juventus’ Stefano Sturaro (8.5) is the priciest Italian midfielder by way of his one goal and a pair of assists in two outings. However, with just two strikes and zero assists to his name in 38 Serie A appearances, his valuation appears a little steep. Lazio’s emergent midfield dynamo Danilo Cataldi (5.5) could be one to watch beyond the first round of fixtures, considering manager Luigi Di Biagio has publicly taken a shine to the 20-year-old’s talents. Ultimately, the fact that only one Italian midfielder – Christian Battocchio (8.0) – netted more than one goal (two) during the qualifying stages might encourage Fantasy managers to invest funds in their forwards instead.
Palermo frontman Andrea Belotti comes in at 10.0 and for good reason: he netted six goals in nine outings and fashioned the second most shots on target (17) in the qualification rounds. Italy’s threat from the left flank will arrive from Domenico Berardi (9.5), who carded 15 goals and 10 assists on loan to Sassuolo last term. On the right flank, Federico Bernardeschi (9.0) is the third member of “Il Tridente 3B” (Three B’s) and was Italy’s highest assist maker (three) during qualification.
Portugal
Coming into this tournament with an unblemished record (10 wins, zero losses), Portugal are a force to be reckoned with. Rui Jorge’s final 23-man squad includes a remarkable eight full internationals, highlighting the depth at his disposal. In light of the fact Portugal shut out their opponents in half of their qualifying fixtures, their defence could be a source of strong returns – even though they’re in a group with England and Italy.
Left-back Raphael Guerreiro (4.0) looks under-priced – given that he’s a guaranteed starter and registered seven goals in 31 appearances for Ligue 1 side Lorient last term – while centre-back Tobias Figueiredo (5.0) struck twice in just 988 minutes for Sporting Lisbon.
With regards to their offensive arsenal, the main men ply their trade in midfield. Porto winger Ricardo Pereira (9.0) topped Portugal’s scoring charts in qualifying, netting five goals in 10 starts. Nonetheless, Monaco’s Bernardo Silva might be an even better prospect, in view of his five goals and one assist in eight appearances for the Portgual U21s. Named as one of the top U19 talents across Europe in 2013, Silva recorded seven goals in 17 league ties last season and boasts Champions League experience. Jao Mario (7.5) – who chalked up seven goals in 29 outings for Sporting Lisbon – could be a profitable differential in the centre of the park.
Sweden
Sweden didn’t have the most impressive qualifying campaign, losing three of their ten matches and conceding more goals (17) than 34 other teams. At first glance, that might completely discourage investment in their backline, yet manager Hakan Ericson’s employment of marauding full-backs in a 4-4-2 system is conducive to attacking returns. Consequently, Copenhagen left-back Ludwig Augustinsson – who tallied one goal and six assists in 15 league encounters last season – may justify his 5.0 price tag.
Sweden’s most expensive midfielder – Oscar Hiljemark (8.0) – led his side in assists (three) during qualifying yet has notched just three goals in 32 outings for the Sweden U21s. Kristoffer Olsson (7.5) puts forward a stronger case; the former Arsenal central midfielder recorded three goals in five outings in the preliminary rounds.
Up top, former Manchester City striker John Guidetti is the obvious selection, having bagged his tenth goal for the Sweden U21s during their friendly against Denmark last week. Priced at 10.0, though, he may face a tough task to force his way into our three-man frontlines.
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