Here’s what a FIFA 21 simulation predicts for France vs. Germany

After only owning a PlayStation 5 for a month, I was not expecting to have to use my old PS4 to simulate a match on FIFA 21. Yet, with a big game ahead of us featuring multiple Bayern Munich players, we needed to simulate the match between France and Germany taking place this afternoon at Euro 2020. Since I don’t have two PS5 controllers, and I have two very busted ones for the PS4, I reverted back to the old console so I could pick the right teams. I fired up the simulation, plugged in players and tactics, and these are the results.

Lineups

Let’s begin with the “home” side for this one, France.

Even though they’ve been rumored to run a 4-3-3, I’ve seen projections with them doing a 4-3-1-2 so that’s what I have them running here:

Lloris

Pavard - Varane - Kimpembe - Hernandez
Kante
Rabiot - Pogba

Griezmann

Benzema - Mbappe

I have Germany lined up in a 3-4-3 as they have previously been projected. Joachim Löw has experimented with formations in the last few weeks and that’s what I think he’ll do here. I’ve seen rumors of Kimmich playing right wing-back, so I think that’s where he’ll start. To make the lineup more rounded, we have Müller in the middle of the midfield four with Toni Kroos. Timo Werner leads the attack with Havertz in an unnatural wing position and Gnabry on the left side.

Neuer

Rüdiger - Hummels - Ginter

Kimmich - Müller - Kroos - Gosens

Havertz - Werner - Gnabry

First Half

The first shot on goal doesn’t come until the 24’ off a Toni Kroos free kick at the top of the box. In the first half, it seemed Germany seemed comfortable sitting back and letting France come at them. It seems to work as Ginter, Kimmich, and Hummels are able to stifle Mbappe and Griezmann at every turn. France seem less keen to take shots more than they are looking to set up perfect chances which get snuffed out by the German backline.

A corner doesn’t come until France manage one just as we hit the 45’. They aren’t able to manage anything from it. The referee, as has been typical from this game, allows the +1 of added time to bleed into 2:35. But, both sides walk into the half unscathed.

Halftime stats

Shots: FRA - 1 | GER - 1
SOT: FRA - 1 | GER - 1
Possession: FRA 65% | GER 35%
Tackles: FRA - 4 | GER - 5
Fouls: FRA - 2 | GER - 0
Corners: FRA - 2 | GER - 0

Second Half

The shots come much earlier in this half. True to form, Timo Werner misses a pretty open shot in the 49’ by sailing it over the bar. Germany keep poking at the backline but nothing seems to come close for them. France keep trying to go through Mbappe up the middle but shockingly, Matthias Ginter has been able to stonewall him every time.

Our first substitutions come in the 66’. France’s Thomas Lemar comes on for Adrien Rabiot and Leon Goretzka is brought on to replace a tired Thomas Müller.

France’s first great chance comes in the 75’ when Paul Pogba breaks past the German backline and fires a strike sailing just past the right post. Around this time, Löw replaces Robin Gosens with Leroy Sané.

After poking and prodding through the defense for ages, we get a breakthrough in the 83’. Kai Havertz slides a pass to his Chelsea teammate Werner who puts a shot underneath the extended arms of Hugo Lloris and into the back of the net. France 0-1 Germany.

France aren’t content to just stick with the old plan. They switch to a 3-4-3, bringing off Benjamin Pavard for his Bayern teammate Kingsley Coman. Entering the final minutes, Germany do the same, bringing Emre Can on for Toni Kroos.

A free kick for France in the 89’ does nothing as a shot from Antoine Griezmann fails to worry Manuel Neuer. That proved to be the last shot of the game as no one produced a shot in the +3 of added time and Germany hung on to win 1-0.

Final Score: France 0-1 Germany [83’ Werner]

Stats:

Shots: FRA - 3 | GER - 4
SOT: FRA - 2 | GER - 3
Possession: FRA - 56% | GER - 44%
Tackles: FRA - 7 | GER - 10
Pass Accuracy: FRA - 86% | GER- 90%

So, do you think this will be the final result from this game? Let us know in the comments.