European Paper Review

Germany are “within touching distance” (Welt) of Euro 2016 after beating Poland 3-1 in Frankfurt on Friday night to go top of Group D and avenge their 2-0 loss in the corresponding fixture in Warsaw back in October. “Finally in Pole position” quipped the Süddeutsche Zeitung rather predictably, whilst also hailing the “Return of the Gifted One” in Mario Götze, who scored twice and hit the post in an impressive performance. Deutsche Welle called the win “convincing” and on paper it certainly seemed that way after goals first from Thomas Müller and then from Götze put Germany 2-0 up within 20 minutes. The Kölner Stadt-Aneziger rightly highlighted the role played by FC Köln’s Jonas Hector in setting up both goals, whilst the city’s Express am Sonntag described the story of the fullback’s rise to the national team with the headline “Hector’s Fairy Tale”.

Jens Lehmann, however, analysing the match for broadcaster RTL, was less impressed. The former Arsenal goalkeeper criticised both teams for being “unbelievably weak at the back” and believed that Poland should have done more to capitalise on the “lack of pace in this German side”. Coach Joachim Löw responded to the criticism in Sunday’s press conference ahead of Monday’s game against Scotland saying he had no concerns about a lack of pace and that Poland’s goal stemmed rather from a “lack of mental sharpness”.

Spiegel Online questioned why it is that the Germany manager seems to be able to get the best out of Götze. The answer, the paper suggested, lies in recognition and trust. Before substituting Götze in the World Cup final in the Maracanã last summer, Löw famously told him to “show the world that you are better than Messi”, and in the press conference before Friday’s game he told the media that Götze was guaranteed to start. It is the sort of trust and confidence that Götze and his camp feel he doesn’t enjoy from Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. BILD had a more tactical answer, suggesting that Löw’s system of playing two holding midfielders allows forwards such as Götze more freedom and space going forward. It’s probably a mixture of both.

In France, Manchester United’s big money signing Anthony Martial made his debut for the national team as Les Bleus beat Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon. L’Equipe said France won “without ever really sparkling” and described the match as “drab and poor at times”. Le Parisien said the victory was “good for moral”, but the evening was marred by a horrific injury to striker Nabil Fekir, who has made such an impressive start to the season with Lyon. On only his fifth appearance for France, the 22-year-old ruptured ligaments in his right knee and will be out for at least 6 months. Not only does Fekir now face a battle to get fit in time to fight for his place at Euro 2016, according to Jerome Pugmire of the Associated Press, he’s also been “dreaming of a possible move to Manchester United”.

As for Lyon, 20minutes.fr highlighted the LFP ruling which states that the club would be entitled to sign a new striker since Fekir was injured playing for France and will be out for more than 3 months. Lyon announced on Saturday night, however, that they would not be taking up the option, preferring instead to rely on their youth system. Nevertheless, Sunday’s L’Equipe reported on a U-turn within the club, suggesting that Lyon would be indeed be following up on “unfinished business” from the summer should they lose against Lille next week.

In Spain, AS reported that ‘The Champions Have Returned’ following La Roja’s 2-0 win Euro 2016 qualifier victory in Oviedo against a Slovakia team who’d beaten them in Bratislava. Spain moved ahead of Slovakia on goal difference with three games to play. Pedro, Busquets, Silva and Casillas were the stand out players but Mata didn’t get off the bench in the home of his former club, nor did David de Gea, who has been a prominent feature in the Spanish media since his transfer to Madrid failed to go through. Gerard Pique did play 90 minutes, yet he was booed by Spain fans. ‘Pique The Accused’ ran the front page of Monday’s Catalan daily Sport. “He’s the victim of a hostile climate because of his references to Madrid and his political opinions,” opined the headline.

Pique is an intelligent man who is in favour of Catalan independence, but he’s usually cogent and measured when he speaks to the media. How his words are interpreted isn’t his fault, but the defender will be glad to get back playing where he’s loved for Barça when his current suspension ends.

In Italy, boss Antonio Conte was satisfied as his side beat Bulgaria 1-0 to keep them top of Group H with two games to play, one against second placed Norway. Gianluigi Buffon made his 150th Italy appearance, drawing praise from his boss, but Conte lamented his side’s lack of goals – just 11 from their eight Euro 2016 qualifying games - telling journalists: “In attack, we know we must be better and try to make the most of the chances we create.”