Euro 2024 hosts Germany got their campaign off to a brilliant start on Friday night as they cruised to a 5-1 win over Scotland in what was the biggest win on the opening day of the Euros in history. Roy Keane on ITV was most critical of their performance, whilst some on the RTÉ panel were more lenient.
Germany scored inside the opening ten minutes through Florian Wirtz. They doubled their lead nine minutes later thanks to a brilliant finish from Jamal Musiala and made it 3-0 before half time thanks to a penalty for a ludicrous two-footed tackle from Ryan Porteous on Ilkay Gündogan in the 45th minute. A fabulous Füllkrug finish in the 68th minute extended their lead to four, with Scotland only able to claw back the deficit thanks to a Rudiger own goal. The consolation goal was wiped out in injury time thanks to a tidy finish from Emre Can, as Scotland leave Munich with their tail rather in-between their legs.
The difference in coverage between RTÉ and ITV could not have been more different, the latter taking a much harsher line of criticism on Scotland's performance, with Keane singling out their lack of aggression, saying they were "second best in every department".
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Andy Robertson Reflects on Historic 5-1 Defeat to Germany
Scotland's 5-1 defeat was the heaviest opening-day defeat in the history of the European Championships, in what was a poor performance from the visitors. Speaking after the heavy defeat, Robertson admitted he and his side "got it all wrong really". He continued,
"We didn't show up, we weren't really aggressive enough, we let good players on the ball."
"They obviously had a game plan, and we did, and their game plan worked a milion times better than ours, but it wasn't because of the practise it was because we couldn't put it together on the pitch."
It was a better second-half showing from Scotland, as they dug-in defensively after losing Porteous to a red card at the end of the first half. Robertson credited his teammates for their effort in the second half, but reflected on the disappointment of conceding the fifth goal in the 93rd minute.
🇩🇪 5-1 🏴
‘The first half, we got it all wrong’ – Scotland captain Andy Robertson said a dreadful opening 45 minutes cost his team dearly against Germany #euro2024
📺 @rte2 and @rteplayer https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7…… pic.twitter.com/0BBevByNtl— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 14, 2024
READ HERE: Roy Keane Singles Out Celtic Player For Role In Scotland Collapse v Germany
Roy Keane Blasts Andy Robertson's for Post-Match Interview
It goes without saying that Roy Keane was not impressed with Scotland's performance, and even less so with Robertson's interview after the game. Leaning over the ITV lectern with a stern look written across his face, Keane lambasted Robertson, criticising his side's lack of aggression and lack of flexibility to adapt their gameplan.
"They weren't aggressive enough, you have to be aggressive in a game of football. When you're up against opposition who are much stronger than you being aggressive is part of [being] a footballer."
"I love watching skilful players, absolutely love it, and the talent we saw with the german players tonight because they were given time, it's great to watch, but my goodness when you're playing football at this level, you've got to hit people! hit them properly, hit them aggressively, do it in the right way."
"It's no good talking after the game 'we had a game plan', it's rubbish! It's just all rubbish coming out!"
Keane ripped into this Scotland side, who had been talking up their chances ahead of last night's game, in what was a damning reality check.
"They spoke before the game about creating history, they're creating history all right, by playing as bad as that! Letting their manager and supporters down."
Richie Sadlier Heaps Praise on Robertson For Post-Match Conduct
Elsewhere in the RTÉ studios, Richie Sadlier and the rest of the TV panel praised Robertson for his honest reflections after Scotland's 5-1 defeat. Jacqui Hurley, moments after Robertson's interview, said, "Credit to him, he's done a good job pre-match in talking up this team, but also fighting like a captain saying they've got to go again here."
Sadlier agreed with Hurley, and went one step further to say that he believed Robertson was "spot on."
"He didn't shy away from taking responsibility for their own failings, he called himself and his teammates out, deflected any criticism that might have gone on to the manager, by saying 'it wasn't tactics, it was our inability to do what we were told to do'"
He described the Scottish captain's conduct after the game as a "touch of class" in what is high praise from the former Ireland international. "He then tried to take some positives from the second half, and said 'you know what, rally, we have to go again." Sadlier closed by saying it was a "Brilliant, brilliant interview" from Robertson.
Two very different opinions from two of Ireland's most outspoken and unapologetic pundits.
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