Team Preview – Germany
If you would of asked me about the chances of the German National team a month ago, I would have had no hesitation in saying they would be one of the favourites to break the countries twenty four year drought. However how quickly things have changed, Germany have hit a road block which has seen the manager Joachim Loew regularly checking if his just having a bad dream.
Team: There is no doubt Germany has the team too trouble every team in the competition. The squad will include a balance of technical, quick players such as Reus, Gotze and Ozil alongside experienced players such as Klose, Schweinsteiger and Lahm. However preparation for this German side has been far from ideal, with several players missing a considerable amount of time during this past season. This has even caused a couple of late withdrawals such as Lars Bender and several players heading into the tournament unfit. Unfortunately three of the unfit players are the Bayern trio of Neuer, Lahm and Sweinsteiger who at the time I am writing this preview are still undergoing recovery.
In the past, worries about this squad have come from the defensive stocks given the German style of attacking football. This year a new challenge has arisen, the usual pairing of Khedira (who just returned in the UCL final) and Schweinsteiger in defensive midfield are severely underdone and how these two lead into the competition could decide the Germans fate. Manager Loew will also be sweating on the return to form of some players such as Ozil who has had a significant form dip.
Mind you, even with these concerns the Germans have more than enough world class players to fill in gaps with players like Weidenfeller, Kroos, Grosskreutz and Muller. This may only be the case until facing the likes of Spain or other heavyweights in the competition.
Manager: Joachim Löw is facing a make or break world cup as national team manager. Having been knocked out in the Semi Finals of the previous world cup and European championship, the german public will not take anything but silverware in this edition. His team is likely to be set out in a in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a back-up of 4-1-4-1. The team will probably also start without an out and out striker with only Klose representing the typical striker role.
Star Player: It’s really hard to pick a star player in this German side. Phillip Lahm though would be the player with the most influence. The now experienced campaigner comes into his 3rd world cup with the captain’s armband. His ability to play either left or right back as well has central midfield could prove essential if the Germans are to reach the latter stages of the competition.
Who to look out for
Sami Khedira: I picked each of these players because all three have something to prove. Despite having only just returned from long term injury, Khedira has become more important to the prospects of this team. Partnering Schweinsteiger (who is short on match fitness), Khedira will need to stand up and be prepared to do a lot of work.
Mesut Ozil: It has been heavily documented that Mesut Ozil hasn’t been in the best of form recently. For that reason, he needs to lift particularly because he plays the all-important center attacking midfield position. In saying this however there is no certainty in this given the ability to interchange positions with any of the front three (Reus, Muller and Gotze).
Manuel Neuer: Like many of his team mates, the German custodian will be starting the cup short of match fitness. However his ability is by no means in question, the crucial thing will be getting minutes into the legs or arms since his a keeper.
The draw: vs Portugal June 17th 2am (AET)
vs Ghana June 22nd 5am
vs USA June 27th 2am
Prediction: Third Place.
FTSAUS Fact: Germany scored the most goals of any European team in qualifying finding the net 36 times.
Previous World Cup best appearance: Winners 1954, 1974, 1990
