To help Donnarumma in transition, the Italians feature four players in the top 10 for passes completed during the group stage, while defender Riccardo Calafiori’s 24 recoveries are behind only England’s Marc Guehi and Hungary’s Willi Orban (26).
Maximilian Mittelstadt | Defender | Germany
Galloping down the left-hand side of the German attack throughout the group stage was Stuttgart’s Mittelstadt. The attack-minded defender notched an assist in the host’s second match against Hungary while putting in a memorable 90 minutes against Scotland in the tournament opener.
The Germans have enjoyed the most possession by any team in the first three matches with Mittelstadt’s outlet abilities a crucial part of the way they retain the ball.
Forwards like Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug should add to their goal-scoring tallies with Mittelstadt’s top seven finish among all players for crosses completed during the group stage surely to find a finisher during Die Manschaft’s ride through the knockout rounds.
Jude Bellingham | Midfielder | England
The biggest stars shine brightest when the lights are flashing. Look no further than this year’s La Liga Player of the Season and UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season.
England have gotten off to a slow start, to say the least, but expect Bellingham to release the shackles now that manager Gareth Southgate faces another underwhelming finish at a major tournament.
Defender turned midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 8.4 accurate long balls per 90 minutes led the tournament at the end of the group stage, and Bellingham’s runs from midfield and into the attacking third can cause problems for future opposing defenses.
Alvaro Morata | Forward | Spain
In his third European Championship appearance, Alvaro Morata has done well blending in with the young lineup that Spain manager Luis de la Fuente opted for.
Jammed between 21-year-old Nico Williams and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, Morata spearheads an attack whose 12 big chances created lead the tournament.
Add midfielder Fabian Ruiz’s tournament-leading 3.5 possessions won in the final third per 90 minutes and Morata has a recipe for opportunities in front of goal coming his way.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Midfielder | Georgia
Probably the surprise of the tournament so far, Georgia has been led by admirable performances from goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and forward Georges Mikautadze.
The former leads the tournament in saves per 90 minutes (7.0) and goals prevented (3.6) while the latter leads in the goals column as the lone three-time scorer.
Kvaratskhelia, though, is the piston in the attack which moves the Georgian engine. The quick winger’s surging runs and technical ability in tight spaces helped the European Championship first-timers get past the group stage. More of the same will be necessary if they are to get through Spain in the first round.
N’Golo Kante | Midfielder | France
In July 2023, Kante’s move to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi League suggested his time with the French national team had come to an end.
Manager Didier Deschamps went with his gut and decided to include Kante in his Euro 2024 squad, reaping the benefits following back-to-back man-of-the-match performances by the midfielder to start the tournament.
Forward Kylian Mbappe’s 10 total attempts are tied for second and should help N’Golo’s decision-making going forward.
Romelu Lukaku | Forward | Belgium
There hasn’t been an unluckier player in the group stage than Romelu Lukaku.
The striker is tied for second with 10 total attempts, leads all players with seven attempts on goal and has had three goals ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.
