Friday, June 30, 2006 at Berlin, Germany
Argies better prepare to enter the German engineered matrix. If they had problems with dudes like Marquez and Borgetti how are they going handle the assault from Klose, Ballack, & Podolski alongside the sniper Frings? You can’t give any of them clear shots. The Argentines’ back has to be on top form and the goalie must be mentally prepared for this.
It’s true enough that the defensive performance of the Geramn team has been the biggest problem since Klinsmann took over. On the other hand, it should also be noted that Germany has allowed fewer chances per game than anybody – save France in this WC if Kicker is to be believed.
Granted, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Germany has the second best defense at this WC – taking the relative weakness of the team’s opponents into account – but I think it’s fair to say the defensive performance has actually been quite solid so far. If it will hold up against better opposition remains to be seen, of course.
Anyway, I think it can be argued that the primary problem hasn’t actually been the (supposedly) lacking individual class of the defenders – though there remain worries about this too – but the tactical approach and the workrate of the whole team. The defense seems to profit quite a lot from Ballack playing deeper – almost as a second defensive midfielder at times – and from the improved tactical performance of the whole team but especially the midfielders who take their assignments of moving against the ball to deny the opposition space, and of closing down, doubling and tripling the opposition much more seriously than in some previous games.
Talentwise Argentina is a much better team than Germany, but I believe the game will be very close. Argentina under Pekerman is very tactical, if they go up by a goal they will slow down and play more defensively, this will allow Germany to get back into the game. Germany’s single worst nightmare is speed, need I remind everyone Owen’s hat trick a few years back. Tevez, Messi and Saviola all have that kind of speed and in fact their styles match that of Owen and it is this element and these players that will make the difference. Can Germany mark them? I don’t think so, they will need to play a lot of offside traps and they will fail from time to time. But even so, Germany has hope, because Argentina when leading will stop playing normally and Germany’s attack will be able to break Argentina down. I think it will be a great game, with a couple of lead changes and in the end, the team that goes on the offensive last will get the chance to win. But I doubt it will end after 90 minutes.
One thing is for sure - This game has classic in the making. :k:
germany
