The Morning Star have asked me to do some guides for the World Cup. First up, Germany.
The last time Germany failed to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup was way back in 1978, when their current manager was just 18.
The third most successful club in World Cup history are seasoned tournament experts and will be expected to challenge once more after an impressive qualifying campaign. Having scored 26 goals in ten outings and remained undefeated throughout, Low guided his side to qualification with relative ease.
However, Low has a serious dilemma with his striking options. Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez have only scored fifteen goals in eighty-one games between them in their respective domestic seasons.
Alternative options Stefan Kiessling and Cacau have an impressive 34 goals in 58 games but only eight international caps and have not found the net on the world stage yet.
Low can call upon experience everywhere in other departments, with Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arne Friedrich all present, although it is the young Thomas Muller that is causing some excitement.
After an impressive debut season, the Bayern Munich player has endless energy supplies and a keen eye for goal.
Against the better teams in the competition, expect Low to put out a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ballack and Schweinsteiger holding in midfield behind Muller, Mesut Ozil and Podolski. The German boss has put his faith in Klose, who seems ever-impressive in an international tournament, so it would be no surprise to see the Munich striker keep his place despite a poor domestic season.
But Low is tactically astute enough to have an alternative. Against the weaker teams, Low may favour a 4-4-2 with Ozil moving to the left of midfield and Kiessling or Gomez played as the extra striker.
Germany favour to attack on the left flank through Lahm, Podolski and the left-drifting Ozil. They should provide more than enough crosses for the aerial threat of Klose.
One area of weakness is in defence. Low has yet to decide who is best to partner Per Mertesacker in the centre of defence and although Lahm is arguably Germany’s best player, the other full-back position is up for grabs with Manchester City target Jerome Boateng favourite to start.
The Manager:
Joachim Low was Jurgen Klinsmann’s number two at the 2006 World Cup, and the tactician took the main job after Germany’s extra time defeat in the semi final against Italy. Modern-thinking and more often than not, tactically spot on. Then again, he is German.
Star Player:
Philipp Lahm impressed at the European Championships two years ago and has been impressive for Bayern Munich, though his form can waver. His slight frame can sometimes be a problem, but given space to roam and attack, he is a potent threat.
Prediction:
Quarter-Finals at least. They are seasoned, strong and have a nice balanced blend of youth and experience. If they get the odd extra-time goal and penalty shootout, they could go all the way.
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6 comments:
The German national team is the complete opposite of the English national team.
While English players star for their clubs and fail for their country, German internationals tend to be far better when they pull on their country's shirt.
I think Muller will have a massive impact on how Germany do in this tournament. How you've only predicted them to finish in the Quarter Finals I'll never know. Having said that, you do think Philipp Lahm is their Star Player so you clearly don't know you're German football.
They'll make the Semi-Finals relatively easily where they'll beat Spain on penalties.
You heard it here first.
Matthew -
Cheers for your comment, and thatnks for the opinion. I just think that for all of the hard-work and effort that comes with Germany, they have a distinct lack of goals this season. Their strikers seem low on cofindence or have little international experience, as explained in my article.
As for Lahm, I think he has the potential to be a match winner. He is key to any German attack and, as shown in the 2006 Worlc Cup and 2008 European Championships, he could be very important.
I'd be interested to know who you're [sic] star player would be?
Hate to do this to you, Mike, but the last time Germany failed to make the semi-finals was actually as recently as 1998.
Then they were comprehensive losers to surprise package Croatia in the last eight.
They were beaten by that brilliant Bulgaria team of Stoichkov and Letchkov at the same stage in 1994, too.
Agreed that they'll at least make the quarter finals this time around, though.
You can always rely on them to up their game and do just enough to get through - even if they don't dazzle people with their play.
Turls is right that Germany are the opposite of England too. Their players seem to grow on the international stage - not shrink.
There's a lot to be said for having a 'winning mentality' and, for all their success domestically, our top players just don't seem to play at the same level with those Three Lions on their jersey.
One last word on the Germans. I think Mesut Ozil could well be one of the young stars to emerge as the 'next big thing' at this tournament.
His performances in last summer's Under 21 European Championships were excellent.
He is a creative spark and has that bit of guile that Germany have been crying out for to add to their reliably functional play.
A good tournament, and he may be on the move during the close season.
Yes. Indeed, that should have read quarter-finals. My mistake and thanks for the spot. I agree about Ozil, could be the player, along with Muller, to really impress.
Good comparison with the England side. The German work ethic and collective responsibility will serve them well.
I must apologise for the grammatical error. A good spot on your part too.
I understand where you're coming from with regards to the lack of goals but I just think that their players are more primed for international football than ours are.
Look at Klose. No-one would argue he is better than Rooney yet he always scores a fair few at the World Cup. he is an international goal machine.
As Soccer AM/MW pointed out, Mesut Ozil will be this World Cup's star performer. Should guide them to the semi-finals on his own.
I must point out that in my previous post, I mean to imply that no-one considers Klose to be better than Rooney.
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