Euro 2024: City stars prepare for knockout stages | OneFootball

City have 12 stars in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 as they dream of lifting the trophy next month.

The Round of 16 begins this weekend, with two distinct sides to the draw.

On the one side we have Manuel Akanji with Switzerland, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden with England and Nathan Ake’s Netherlands.

On the other side, we have Rodrigo and Spain, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes and Joao Cancelo with Portugal as well as Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku with Belgium.

It all starts on Saturday with Akanji in action for Switzerland as they face holders Italy at 17:00 (UK) in Berlin.

If Akanji helps his Swiss side, who finished second in Group A, win that one, he could take on City teammates Stones, Walker and Foden in the quarter-finals.

That talented trio are with Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions as they take on Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, kick-off 17:00 (UK).

If they emerge victorious, it could set up that Switzerland v England tie in the last eight on Saturday 6 July in Dusseldorf, kick-off 17:00.

Ake could then be an opponent for Switzerland or England in the semi-finals.

Ake’s Netherlands take on Romania in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, 2 July with a 17:00 (UK) start in Munich.

If Ronald Koeman’s team win that one, they will face the winners of Austria v Turkey in the last eight in Berlin on Saturday 6 July, with a 20:00 (UK) kick-off and then there’s the chance of a semi-final tie with Switzerland or England in Dortmund on Wednesday 10 July, kick-off 20:00 (UK).

First up on the other side of the draw is Rodrigo’s Spain as they take on Georgia this Sunday with an 20:00 (UK) start in Cologne.

If Group B’s winner can see off the team that defeated Portugal 2-0 in their final Group F game on Wednesday, they will face hosts Germany or Denmark in the last eight, that match taking place on Friday 5 July, with a 17:00 (UK) start in Stuttgart.

Portugal face Slovenia on Monday 1 July in Frankfurt with a 20:00 (UK) kick-off and the winners of that one could face KDB and Doku in the quarter-finals, although the Red Devils have world champions France to get past.

That mouthwatering encounter, in Dusseldorf, is also set for Monday 1 July, kick-off 17:00.

If Portugal and Belgium both get through, Bernardo, Dias, Nunes and Cancelo will do battle with De Bruyne and Doku in the quarter-finals, with that game set for Friday 5 July, 20:00 (UK) kick-off in Hamburg.

Whoever manages to win that, if indeed both Portugal and Belgium get through, that would set up a potential semi-final with Rodrigo and Spain on Tuesday 9 July in Munich, kick-off 20:00 (UK).

The final takes place on Sunday 14 July at Olympiastadion in Berlin, kick-off 20:00 and with a spot of luck, we could have City players involved in the showpiece.

Rodrigo is aiming to help Spain win it for a record fourth time, overtaking Germany into top spot, after previous victories in 1964, 2008 and 2012.

Netherlands, featuring Ake, are looking for a second triumph in the competition, following the Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten-inspired win in 1988 while Portugal are also aiming to double their tally, after success in 2016.

Akanji’s Switzerland, England featuring Stones, Walker and Foden as well as De Bruyne and Doku’s Belgium are all looking for their maiden success in the competition.