Former France and Manchester United star Patrice Evra has insisted that one team could ‘surprise’ everyone with their performance at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Host nation Germany kicked off Euro 2024 last Friday with a superb 5-1 steamrolling of 10-man Scotland in their Group A clash at the Allianz Arena.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men are among the favourites to win Euro 2024 this summer alongside the likes of France, Germany and England.
Euro 2024 favourites Germany, England, France and Portugal all won their respective opening matches at the UEFA competition.
England defeated Serbia 1-0 on Sunday in Group C before France secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ralf Rangnick’s Austria side on Monday in Group D.
Portugal, on the other hand, rallied back from a 1-0 deficit on Tuesday evening to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their Group F clash.
Patrice Evra has openly voiced his thoughts on Euro 2024 teams like Portugal and their players, including his former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 43-year-old hinted at the impact one player could have for his country at the Euros, while Evra has also named one “really underrated” team at the competition.
Evra’s expectations for Euro 2024 team
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra admitted that Euro 2024 hosts Germany disappointed in their last major international outing at a tournament.
Germany suffered a stunning upset against Japan in their opening match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before finishing third in Group E.
The four-time World Cup champions previously made it to the knockout rounds of Euro 2020 before England dumped Germany out of the last 16 with a 2-0 win.
Former United star Evra claimed that Julian Nagelsmann’s men could surprise people at the tournament, adding that Germany will “always [be] a big team.”
“I was really disappointed by Germany in the last tournament,” he said, as per the Hindustan Times.
“Earlier, one would always predict Germany to be in the semis or final before any tournament. It wasn’t even a question.
“But now I think they’ve lost that discipline and fear. Having said that, everyone dreams of winning big trophies in their own country.
“So, I think we will be surprised this time by Germany. They’re getting back slowly and are always a big team. Germany is still Germany.”
Evra talks France at Euro 2024
Evra admitted that 2022 World Cup finalists France face tough opposition in Group D, with the Netherlands and Poland both lying in wait for Didier Deschamps’ men.
However, the former France international believes that his country’s “biggest challenge” will be themselves and if they are overly “confident” about their chances.
Speaking to Sportstar, Evra said: “I think it’s a tough group. The biggest challenge for France is France itself.
“If France is too confident, it can have some trouble. No team in this tournament has a better squad than the French national team, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to win the tournament.
“I’m confident but I don’t want the same thing to happen as the last time.”