Germany at World Cup 2014

[MikeMango]

Calling Löw poor and in return wanting Podolski to start, perhaps the least talented player on that roster bar Großkreutz and Schmelzer doesn't really go together.

Kroos and Schweinsteiger do not work together. You're asking how Löw can play Kroos and Khedira together because they don't match well and are both insanely slow (despite having played together basically ALL of qualifying). Then you switch Khedira with Schweinsteiger who is even slower than Khedira and plays almost exactly like Kroos. Kroos and Schweinsteiger next to eachother in CM hasn't worked out in the big games for Bayern, it didn't even really look all that great in the small games, and I hope they don't start alongside eachother. We'd have basically no defensive cover from CM at all.

I agree to an extent. But I wouldn't say Kroos and Schweinsteiger can't work out, f.e. against City in the first group game last year. Kroos, Schweinsteiger and Lahm played in central mifield together and it worked realy well. That game was arguably Bayerns best game under Guardiola.
It was a different setup though and with Schweinsteigers injury I can't see him play the defensive part alongside Kroos, neither can I see Khedira(not a fan and clearly not fit either) in this role.

I favour Lahm for this position and Großkreutz as right-back.

You call out Boateng for making stupid mistakes in defense because it's a common thing to say when in reality Hummels has made just as many crucial mistakes for club and country. (vs Shakhtar, vs Real, vs Italy, ...) Boateng yesterday showed he isn't a RB, indeed. But over the last 2 years I'd say he was the best German CB. It should be either Hummels or Mertesacker who are on the bench. Lahm at RB, Durm at LB.

You are absolutely right. It's some kind of weird trend to underrate Boateng. He was Bayerns best centre-back over the last two years. I would prefer him alongside Hummels.

You say Özil plays like shit currently, which I agree he does. But name me a single game for Germany where Götze looked to be dominating a game. People say Özil plays bad and ask for Götze yet Götze hasn't really shown much for Germany aside of coming of the bench and scoring, or a solo run vs Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan or whatever country it was.

It saddens me to see Müller having to leave the right flank, but it might have to be if Volland isn't fit for starting up front. I hope Löw gives him a chance.

that isn't wrong, but Götze mostly played as false 9. So the requirements for Özil and Götze are different.

my prefered 11:

-------------------------Neuer-----------------------
Großkreutz----Boateng-----Hummels------Durm
----------------Lahm-----------Kroos
Müller--------------Özil/Götze----------------Reus
----------------------Götze/Klose

 

[ctp]

A lot depends on fitness, but I'd prefer to play without Khedira, Özil and Götze. Something like:

Neuer (Weidenfeller)
Großkreutz (Lahm) - Mertesacker - Hummels - Durm
Lahm (Kramer) - Schweinsteiger (Kroos)
Müller (Volland) - Kroos (Müller) - Reus
Klose (Müller/Volland)​

 

[MikeMango]

BILD is reporting that Volland, Schmelzer and Mustafi didn't made the cut.

I wasn't expecting that.

 

[Carter99]

BILD is reporting that Volland, Schmelzer and Mustafi didn't made the cut.

I wasn't expecting that.

That would be horrible and shows again that Löw sucks.

So basically we have one Striker on our Team who is still injured.

Really looking great.

 

[Blackwidow]

That would be horrible and shows again that Löw sucks.

So basically we have one Striker on our Team who is still injured.

Really looking great.

The problem with Volland is that he does not have any experiences on this level. Volland ain't a full striker either - he mostly played behind the striker or on the right for Hoffenheim in a counter attacking system.

He never would be near the starting formation as without Klose there is other experienced players that would be preferred in the striker role. Would you play a Volland as a striker and leave Schürrle/Podolski/Götze etc. on the bench or would you shift Müller etc. into the striker position and play with another offensive midfield?

 

[ManniKaltz]

BILD is reporting that Volland, Schmelzer and Mustafi didn't made the cut.

I wasn't expecting that.

So wasn't the media. I find it actually funny how convinced they were who'd have to stay at home although they hardly had any insights into the training sessions.

By and large, I can live with Löw's squad (though not with his tactics and 1st XI). I'm just annoyed that he doesn't admit that he lives by Orwell's law - some are more equal than others - but insists that his decisions are fair and balanced.

 

[MikeMango]

That would be horrible and shows again that Löw sucks.

So basically we have one Striker on our Team who is still injured.

Really looking great.

I think he would have played with false 9 anyway. For that he can use Götze, Müller and Klose. So there is realy no need for another striker.

I expected he would send home Mustafi, Ginter and Draxler. With our problems in central midfield he obviously decided to keep Ginter for Backup and Draxler might be to talented to leave him out.

I can understand his choice even if I would have made a different one. In the end I think it doesn't matter that much, who is number 21, 22 and 23.

 

[NoLogo]

Did Schmelzer not make the cut because he isn't fit to play? Seems a bit risky go into the rounament with just one left FB, I'm not really counting Jansen as one more of a left midfielder or winger in my book.

 

[JackJebb]

Schmelzer looked awful, every time i saw him for Germany. No shock , in him getting cut. Thought Volland would go over Ginter.

 

[Balu]

Did Schmelzer not make the cut because he isn't fit to play? Seems a bit risky go into the rounament with just one left FB, I'm not really counting Jansen as one more of a left midfielder or winger in my book.

Jansen? He was kicked out of the squad before he even joined the team . I guess Großkreutz is the back-up leftback. Schmelzer wasn't fit and he wasn't that great when he was fit either, so I'm not surprised.

 

[Lyricist]

Cant believe that Volland won't be there. Idiotic omission once again. He definitely would be different to Müller and Götze in that role as he actually has a good shot unlike Müller Özil and Götze! Volland doesn't just pass pass pass till 10 opposing defenders block the ball within their own 6 yard box!

I have no idea what Draxler does there. The only reason for taking him is that he's talented and this way he can get used to the big stage. He's been average all season and didn't impose himself against the big teams at all! He's also a player for a position where we have Müller Reus Götze Schürrle Podolski and Özil. At CF the only Option is Klose who is 36 and injured! Löw makes me fume every time he does anything really!

 

[RedSky]

Goalkeepers:
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund)
Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

Defenders:
Erik Durm(Borussia Dortmund)
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund)
Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)
Benedikt Höwedes (Schalke)

Midfielders:
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
Mesut Özil (Arsenal)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich)
Mario Götze (Bayern Munich)
Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Andre Schürrle (Chelsea)
Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Matthias Ginter (Freiburg)
Julian Draxler (Schalke)
Christoph Kramer (Gladbach)

Forward:
Mirsolav Klose (Lazio)

Surprised Volland didn't make the cut tbh. Looks like they'll use Grosskreutz to cover both LB and RB.

 

[NoLogo]

Jansen? He was kicked out of the squad before he even joined the team . I guess Großkreutz is the back-up leftback. Schmelzer wasn't fit and he wasn't that great when he was fit either, so I'm not surprised.

Oh see I didn't even know that. Tbh honest I'm not following the national team much these days. Don't even know why but I'm pretty impartial to our national team these days, hope that changes when the tournament kicks off or else I'm going to have a boring summer.

 

[Balu]

Looks like they'll use Grosskreutz to cover both LB and RB.

Didn't I tell you that Löw won't waste a spot for a 2nd leftback . I'm surprised about Volland's omission as well, but to me it looks a lot like he just missed the chance to impress Löw in the past weeks. If he's not a better option than Götze or Müller in the striker role, then there's no need to take him to Brazil.

 

[Jimmy Greenhoff's Chest]

Is this your guess at the team Low will pick, or your suggestion of the best team? Either way, you've missed Muller out so it's wrong.

 

[Sandeep_Red]

After United's Exit I wanted Bayern Munich to lift Champion's League and If England exit out I want Germany !!!

 

[RedSky]

Didn't I tell you that Löw won't waste a spot for a 2nd leftback . I'm surprised about Volland's omission as well, but to me it looks a lot like he just missed the chance to impress Löw in the past weeks. If he's not a better option than Götze or Müller in the striker role, then there's no need to take him to Brazil.

He surely offers something different on the right though? I'd take him ahead of Draxler if you're basing it on form rather than reputation.

You got me with the LB choice, let's hope that doesn't comeback to haunt you fellas eh?

 

[JackJebb]

The Klose/Podolski partnership lives for another tournament, one last gig

 

[Balu]

He surely offers something different on the right though? I'd take him ahead of Draxler if you're basing it on form rather than reputation.

You got me with the LB choice, let's hope that doesn't comeback to haunt you fellas eh?

Typical Löw move . I'm not sure if Volland offers something on the right that Müller, Schürrle, Reus haven't already covered. I like Volland a lot, would have loved him in the team, but I don't think it makes a big difference. Can't see him being a decisive factor in winning or losing the worldcup, so I'm not really angry about his omission.

 

[Kallech33]

The XI I'd prefer at the WC if erveryone gets fit until the WC starts:

Neuer
Lahm - Mertesacker - Boateng - Durm
Khedira - Schweinsteiger
Kroos
Müller - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Reus
Klose
​

GK: Neuer is simply better, more complete than Weidenfeller if fit. Still Weidenfeller got his form back at the right time. He looked a bit out of form at the beginning of the season and in his first games for Germany (Weidenfehler) but he looks strong again.

LB: Durm really played good for Dortmund this season and for the NT yesterday. Also there is basically no other choice as he left Schmelzer at home who only had 1 or 2 good games for Germany anyway and I could see him lose his place in Dortmund to Durm, too.

CBs: Mertesacker and Boateng simply are the best combination. They work well together and compliment each other while Hummels doesn't seem to have any chemistry with neither Boateng nor Mertesacker.
I completely agree with @Lyricist who said:

You call out Boateng for making stupid mistakes in defense because it's a common thing to say when in reality Hummels has made just as many crucial mistakes for club and country. (vs Shakhtar, vs Real, vs Italy, ...) Boateng yesterday showed he isn't a RB, indeed. But over the last 2 years I'd say he was the best German CB. It should be either Hummels or Mertesacker who are on the bench. Lahm at RB, Durm at LB.

I'd also add that Hummels failed twice to get close to Eto'o and control him before Cameroon's first goal yesterday. Even though no defender looked really good when that goal happend.

Midfield: With all the injuries (Gündogan, Benders) I think it's clear that Kroos has to play as he's the only option who has experience and is fit. Still I want to see Schweinsteiger and Khedira with him.
A midfield of Schweinsteiger, Khedira and Kroos has a lot of flexibility with Kroos being able to fall back and play as a CM or push up and play as a #10.
Problem is that it's not clear if Schweinsteiger gets to 100%. In recent times it always took him a while to get fit after an injury.
Sami "headless chicken" Khedira can only work properly if he's paired with Schweinsteiger or Lahm. When he plays with Lahm/Schweinsteiger he knows that he has to do his duties in defense because Schweini and Lahm are the leaders and keep Sami's "Sturm und Drang"-phases under control. And if he despite that goes into full headless-chicken-mode Schweinsteiger and Lahm are defensively solid enough to make up for it from time to time which Kroos can't.
If Schweinsteiger doesn't get fit Lahm for Schweinsteiger in midfield and Kevin "the despicable lobby pisser" Großkreutz as RB.
No to the Özil. Germany isn't the counterattacking team they were in 2010 any more and Özil is a lazy feck. In world cups you need to be solid against the other big teams and Özil simply is a liability on defense. He'll still play as he's Löw's darling (the new Poldi. YAY!).

Wingers and striker: Müller and Reus on the wings. That's not even debatable if Klose is fit to start.
If Klose can't start push Müller upfront and Götze or Schürrle on the right.
Götze just doesn't work upfront ffs. Jogi, STAHP that!

Regarding Löw's squad choices: I think I would have picked the same players apart from Lasogga for Draxler.

 

[Ruht]

False 9 it is then, unless Klose is able to play 90 mins every 2 or 3 days though I very much doubt it. Odd to take only 1 striker though, I was expecting Volland to go to Brazil but I guess he didn't impress.

Chuffed for Durm and Kramer though.

 

[PedroMendez]

Volland usually doesnt play as central forward and I guess he couldnt convince Löw, that he can do it. I think its actually a fairly logical decision. We dont really need another winger/second striker with Müller, Schürle and Reus. If he would have wanted to play with traditional forwards, he should have used other players in the first place.

 

[a_devil_inside]

Got Hummels in my dream team, is it worth keeping him in or not?

 

[Kallech33]

Got Hummels in my dream team, is it worth keeping him in or not?

I wouldn't bet on him playing especially if Lahm plays RB.
Löw prefered Boateng and Mertesacker as CBs in the qualification. And most people I know who watched most of Germany's games and Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker for their clubs agree that Hummels should only be a backup.

 

[Kasper]

Got Hummels in my dream team, is it worth keeping him in or not?

I hope that he will play and if so, I'm pretty sure he will play a good world cup. Looked very solid in 2014 and he didn't have a shocker for quite a while now. But Löw could easily decide to start with Boateng/Mertesacker as well so its a difficult choice.

I would have sent Draxler back instead of Volland but I'm fine with the rest. CM is the weak spot and Reus and Müller will have to play a good tournament to compensate the lack of a real striker (unless Klose will have his tournament level).

 

[MikeMango]

Got Hummels in my dream team, is it worth keeping him in or not?

keep him.
After some of Löws comments from yesterday, I expect him to use Boateng as Backup for the right-back position or even as a starter, if Lahm plays in midfield.

 

[MTR]

I would play Reus as a forward, not Muller.

Neuer
Lahm - Hummels - Mertesacker - Durm
Kramer - Schweinsteiger
Muller - Ozil - Podolski
Reus​

 

[MikeMango]

I would play Reus as a forward, not Muller.

Neuer
Lahm - Hummels - Mertesacker - Durm
Kramer - Schweinsteiger
Muller - Ozil - Podolski
Reus​

then you would take his strengths away.
Reus is a player who can out run his opponent and beat him with a dribbling. He is best when he can run into the box from midfield or drift around it.

As forward he would have to play a lot with his back to the goal and get in physical duels with the centre-backs. Thats not realy what makes him strong. Müller is way more suited for that.
He is also not the kind of player who drops deep and passes the ball around, like Götze does when he plays as false 9.

Reus directness is what the german team needs. They will not get that if he plays as forward.

 

[Diadoras]

I would play Reus as a forward, not Muller.

Neuer
Lahm - Hummels - Mertesacker - Durm
Kramer - Schweinsteiger
Muller - Ozil - Podolski
Reus​

Reus has

then you would take his strengths away.
Reus is a player who can out run his opponent and beat him with a dribbling. He is best when he can run into the box from midfield or drift around it.

As forward he would have to play a lot with his back to the goal and get in physical duels with the centre-backs. Thats not realy what makes him strong. Müller is way more suited for that.
He is also not the kind of player who drops deep and passes the ball around, like Götze does when he plays as false 9.

Reus directness is what the german team needs. They will not get that if he plays as forward.

His weight of pass is also wonderful

 

[Sphaero]

I wouldn't bet on him playing especially if Lahm plays RB.
Löw prefered Boateng and Mertesacker as CBs in the qualification. And most people I know who watched most of Germany's games and Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker for their clubs agree that Hummels should only be a backup.

Funny, because pretty much every person I talk about football (and this includes quite a few Bayern supporters and a lot of neutrals) would agree that Hummels is right now the German defender with the best form. He would come to Brazil on the back of a really strong second season half and a rock solid first half. If he wouldn´t have been injured in the middle of the season he could have rivaled Reus as Dortmund´s best performer this season.

However, it is also correct, that Hummels will pretty much always be restricted in the national dress as long as Löw is the one in charge. His versatile build up play, which would benifit Germany a lot given that one of their biggest problems is predictability, will always be hampered by Löw´s call to restrict long balls as much as possible. He will also never become a lead player there as long as there is no change in management, which impacts his presence on the pitch aswell. If you take away these two things, which make him so valuable for Dortmund (the difference he made in this season for them was gigantic) then there is pretty much no difference between him and the other two CB options. The center defense is actually one of our smallest problems, though, because we have three strong options there with another good 4th CB in Höwedes.

The problem lies further up the pitch in the connection between midfield and defense. The truth is that we would need a defensive orientated central midfielder to gain real stability. With Khedira doing everything, but sure as hell not taking care of his defensive duties there is a huge hole right in front of the defense, which exposes the back line time and time again and makes it look worse than it actually is. They were several scenes yesterday, where the Africans could just run through our center and come with full pace towards the center defense. To defend such situations is extremely hard for defenders and should actually not happen that frequently. One of the Bender twins would be ideal for that job, but this won´t happen. Maybe Kramer can grow into that role and close gaps with his immense work rate.

 

[a_devil_inside]

Think i'll take Hummels out and put Mertesacker in

 

[Piratesoup]

So Schmelzer is sent home because he's not 100% fit, yet Khedira not only just bounced back from a season ruining injury, but even showcased his lack of match fitness in a very luke warm game yesterday. Yet Khedira not only stays, but is tipped to start. Same with Klose, who Löw admitted isn't fit at all right now... but hey, he can still break Ronaldo's record if he manages to somehow get a goal. I guess that's Löw's top priority for this tournament: Make his old buddies happy one last time.

Not saying to leave out Klose and Khedira (altouhg I could easily live without Klose), but Löw and his double standards are really pissing me off. The manifestation of this weird nepotism is Özil, who once again played like a bag of dead rats yet Löw would still rather nominate Kießling before Özil finds himself on the bench...

Seriously, every time I see us play or hear Löw talk about anything I'm more convinced that there's nothing but disappointment waiting for us in Brazil this year.


My starting XI at the moment would probably look like this (this might change until the WC starts, depending on how fit/unfit players like Khedira, Schweini etc, are):
----------------Neuer-------------
Lahm - Boateng - Hummels - Durm
--------Kramer --- Kroos(Schweinsteiger --------
Schürrle ------ Götze ----- Reus
-------------- Müller --------------

I don't trust Klose anymore. Too old, too many injuries. He just doesn't bring enough to justify leaving one of the 4 offensive players above out. Khedira, at the moment, just isn't in good enough shape. Kramer looks hungry and is running his lungs out, exactly what the slow Kroos/Schweinsteiger needs by his side.
Lahm would be good for our midfield, but we just don't have ANY RB besides him that can play at the level we need for our defense to not get overwhelmed against the big teams.

 

[ManniKaltz]

Funny, because pretty much every person I talk about football (and this includes quite a few Bayern supporters and a lot of neutrals) would agree that Hummels is right now the German defender with the best form. He would come to Brazil on the back of a really strong second season half and a rock solid first half. If he wouldn´t have been injured in the middle of the season he could have rivaled Reus as Dortmund´s best performer this season.

However, it is also correct, that Hummels will pretty much always be restricted in the national dress as long as Löw is the one in charge. His versatile build up play, which would benifit Germany a lot given that one of their biggest problems is predictability, will always be hampered by Löw´s call to restrict long balls as much as possible. He will also never become a lead player there as long as there is no change in management, which impacts his presence on the pitch aswell. If you take away these two things, which make him so valuable for Dortmund (the difference he made in this season for them was gigantic) then there is pretty much no difference between him and the other two CB options. The center defense is actually one of our smallest problems, though, because we have three strong options there with another good 4th CB in Höwedes.

The problem lies further up the pitch in the connection between midfield and defense. The truth is that we would need a defensive orientated central midfielder to gain real stability. With Khedira doing everything, but sure as hell not taking care of his defensive duties there is a huge hole right in front of the defense, which exposes the back line time and time again and makes it look worse than it actually is. They were several scenes yesterday, where the Africans could just run through our center and come with full pace towards the center defense. To defend such situations is extremely hard for defenders and should actually not happen that frequently. One of the Bender twins would be ideal for that job, but this won´t happen. Maybe Kramer can grow into that role and close gaps with his immense work rate.

THIS, and it can't be mentioned often enough.

I actually fully subscribe to what Thomas Strunz and Thomas Bertold said almost a year ago: If Löw isn't able to build a N11 team in which Hummels is the German CB with a guaranted spot, he's a loser, not Hummels.

For once I also agree with Olaf Thon who said these days that it's time for the German N11 to get a new manager.

 

[ManniKaltz]

Did Schmelzer not make the cut because he isn't fit to play? Seems a bit risky go into the rounament with just one left FB, I'm not really counting Jansen as one more of a left midfielder or winger in my book.

In a short video Löw didn't mention that Schmelzer was cut due to injuries but that they wanted every position covered by two players, and that Durm has played well and that Höwedes (!) can play as LB, too.

I could hardly stop laughing, I have to admit.

 

[Blackwidow]

THIS, and it can't be mentioned often enough.

I actually fully subscribe to what Thomas Strunz and Thomas Bertold said almost a year ago: If Löw isn't able to build a N11 team in which Hummels is the German CB with a guaranted spot, he's a loser, not Hummels.

For once I also agree with Olaf Thon who said these days that it's time for the German N11 to get a new manager.

Actually I do not subscribe to anything what Strunz and Berthold say no matter what it is...

 

[ManniKaltz]

Actually I do not subscribe to anything what Strunz and Berthold say no matter what it is...

They (and Helmer) are the only German ex-football player who are not totally brainwashed, clueless, or both.

 

[JefferiesTube]

Is this your guess at the team Low will pick, or your suggestion of the best team? Either way, you've missed Muller out so it's wrong.

Muller can play in place of Klose or be an extra striker attacking sub
No Schmelzer so play Durm
Rest of team the same
Muller is great but so is Reus, Draxler, Gotze

 

[Balu]

They (and Helmer) are the only German ex-football player who are not totally brainwashed, clueless, or both.

There's not a single German ex-football player who isn't totally brainwashed and clueless. Helmer, Strunz are just as stupid as Berthold, Matthäus, Kahn and Scholl. The rest are even worse.

 

[Lyricist]

Muller can play in place of Klose or be an extra striker attacking sub
No Schmelzer so play Durm
Rest of team the same
Muller is great but so is Reus, Draxler, Gotze

There is NO WAY Draxler would start ahead of Müller and neither should Götze.

 

[Kasper]

If now the likes of Thon or Strunz are used to justify the hatred against Löw, this thread is truly fecked...

E: Ok, Balu was faster.