- The previous Schalke goalkeeper spent 11 years within the German metropolis of Gelsenkirchen
- Gelsenkirchen to host first match of England's Euro 2024 marketing campaign
- Listen It has all begun! Ian Ladyman, Chris Sutton and the Mail Sport group give their predictions in regards to the match
Jens Lehmann is freshening up after a morning swim within the cool waters of the River Isar in Munich when he meets Mel Sport for breakfast at a close-by café.
Germany final hosted a significant match 18 years in the past and Lehmann was goalkeeper for Jurgen Klinsmann's aspect that reached the World Cup semi-finals.
Germany would attain at the very least the semi-finals within the subsequent 5 main tournaments, together with profitable the 2014 World Cup, however Lehmann is clear-eyed in regards to the host nation's possibilities this time round.
He says, “We had a interval once we have been all the time anticipated to achieve at the very least the semi-finals or the ultimate, however since then we've by no means been there. That claims lots and that's why I don't anticipate a lot, to be sincere.” Jens, not even in entrance of your followers?
'It can assist however you continue to should be soccer group and the very fact is groups like France and England are a lot better.
Jens Lehmann shares his ideas on Germany's destiny at their residence Euros this summer time
For 11 years of his profession, the previous goalkeeper performed for Schalke – in Gelsenkirchen, which hosts England's first match
Gelsenkirchen's Enviornment AufSchalke welcomes each Euro 2024 and the Eras Tour this summer time
Lehmann says, 'Nonetheless, in a match it by no means issues which group is healthier than the others. You simply should carry out higher than your opponent on that day.'
England are real contenders for the previous Arsenal goalkeeper, who was a part of The Invincibles, however he says they’ve one main weak spot.
'Gareth (Southgate) is an efficient coach and England have some extremely gifted gamers, however the preserving place worries me. When your goalkeeper is just not enjoying within the Champions League, it's a weak spot in these tournaments. You want large sport expertise. I predict the France vs England closing and I anticipate England to win due to my Premier League connections,' he says. 'However I can't see that taking place as a result of England's mentality is so weak in relation to large video games in tournaments, like in opposition to Italy. They need to have gained the final Euros.'
Lehmann admitted he was influenced by Jordan Pickford in penalty shootouts. Lehmann saved two penalties and used an notorious cheat sheet when Germany beat Argentina within the 2006 World Cup quarter-final shootout.
'It's a unique artwork of the sport, figuring out methods to win a penalty shootout,' says Lehmann, and Pickford made some nice saves within the 2018 World Cup and Euro finals.
'You possibly can put together the way in which you need, but it surely's all about that second once you step ahead as a goalkeeper, that penalty taker is about to strike and may't change his thoughts. It's a small hall of one-tenth of a second and when you get into that window, you may be profitable.'
