So far, France 2016 has been characterised by strong defence, late goals and big names performing poorly.
Here’s our look at the the five biggest disappointments at the finals so far:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
It’s a shame this was the Ibrahimovic’s last tournament because it was not a campaign befitting of the great man. Sweden’s all-time record goalscorer was held scoreless as his country managed just one goal in three games (and even that was an own goal). He’s always carried the weight of his nation’s expectations, but this time it was too much for Ibrahimovic. Looking lonely up front, he was barely afforded a gasp of breath as he found himself blanketed by determined defenders. He had five shots blocked (equal for fourth most in the tournament) and only managed to hit the target once in his other six attempts on goal. It’s a shame to see him bow out of international football on such a sad note.
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Poland progressed to the Round of 16, but the fact they did it with a misfiring Robert Lewandowski was surprising and admirable. The striker entered the tournament off the back of 39 goals in 44 games for Bayern Munich this season, but appears to have left his shooting boots in Germany. Playing as the lone striker, he’s found himself starved of service and has often had to retreat into midfield to get on the ball. Scoreless in all three games so far, Lewandowski has been unable to register a single shot on target and has cut a dejected figure. Thankfully, his teammates have stepped up in his absence and if he can regain his mojo in the knockout stages, Poland’s opponents should watch out.
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Like Ibrahimovic and Lewandowski, Kane arrived in France as one of Europe’s best strikers, but has so far failed to find the net in his three appearances. Kane’s disappointing performances have been heavily scrutinised by England’s notoriously judgemental media, especially given his compatriots Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge both scored in the win over Wales. Like the aforementioned Ibrahimovic and Lewandowski, Kane has struggled as the lone striker and has not had the service he would have liked at times. Bar the odd half chances here and there, he has rarely been allowed a sight on goal by opposition defences. Curiously, Kane has played his best football for England when he’s had a partner up front. If Hodgson wants to get the best out of his star striker, he may want to consider starting him alongside Vardy or Sturridge.
David Alaba (Austria)
Austria was a side who some picked as surprise packets heading into the tournament, but they finished rock bottom of their group without a win to their name. Bearing the brunt of criticism so far has been Bayern Munich’s 23-year-old full back, David Alaba. It’s slightly unfair for the youngster to be expected to carry the burden of expectation of his teammates and fans, but he is by far Austria’s biggest name and most talented player. However, in an effort to get the best out of him, coach Marcel Koller moved Alaba out of his favoured left-back role and into the heart of midfield. Great in theory, although the results were disappointing with Alaba looking uncomfortable in the role and Austria suffered accordingly. While this is just a blip for the young star, and he’s got a valid excuse for his performances, this will go down as a tournament to forget for him.
Arda Turan (Turkey)
The Turkish captain had a frustrating season at club level, after making the move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona last year. A transfer suspension had him sidelined for the first half of the season, but once his ban had finished he struggled make an impact at the Nou Camp. There were hopes he would put his disappointing season behind him at the Euros, only for these hopes to be dashed, with Turan kept quiet in his country’s opening losses against Croatia and Spain. He wasn’t the only Turkish attacker who failed to fire, but as their skipper and talisman it he copped the wrath of the fan’s frustration, culminating in boos after the Spain game. Despite an improved showing against the Czech Republic, Turan exited the tournament in a manner not befitting of his talent.
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