Charles Miller
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Only watchable game is Germany x Mexico.
Looking shit is our thing. Germany always looks shit before tournaments. It's after the group stages that we turn on the heat. Heck, we've managed to be kicked out of group stages not too long ago during a Euro. That was... unexpected.I have some sort of weird feeling that Sweden will top this group.
Germany has looked very anonymous the last couple of games I've watched them. Sweden plays more as a collective and have confidence in carving results out like against Italy.
Not convinced by the Wagner setup at all. Sané is the 'make it happen' guy, but the german team doesn't look as much as a unit the last times I've seen them play.
Korea has been very poor for a while now. Almost coinciding to exactly when Park retired for the national team. Ki and Son (only bright spots) plus 9 stiffs.Looking forward to Son for S. Korea.
Winning the group isn't underperforming. You can't apply the same standards to a national team that play together maybe 10 times a year at most and with different players at that.Just if you judge be the outcome alone, which isn't always the best indicator for the future. Personally, I don't think it's any kind of hybris to ask for three convincing wins in the group stages against most opposition. Same standards are applied to Barcelona, Bayern, Real and so on in the CL group stages. If you're not playing convincing in these matches, you're most likely underperforming.
You guys honestly sound like two Bayern fans talking about the standard of the German NT. It's not something I'd expect from other fans and it's not the experience that for example my brother has after speaking to Germans at the recent UEFA Nations League event. Expecting the team to win everyone easily in the group is just asking way too much. It's a knockout tournament, not a round-robin qualifier. You expect the team to qualify and if they do, job done. After that you take it one game at a time. Doesn't matter what your country is called. No one is entitled to win anything and that kind of mentality is what will make you end up 3rd or 4th.It's just realistic to expect the difference of quality between squads to also show on the pitch. When you meet some top 20-30 team as a top 1-3 seed and the result is a 50/50 game, then you haven't done well, even though the outcome of the group might be optimal in the end - in 2010 we could've even gone out to the giants of Ghana and Australia if the former had clinical finishing. And FWIW the post you complain about was in response to someone who said Germany will breeze through group stages with 9 points.
Well Germany's stature in the world is kind of comparable to Bayern's in club football, so I don't really see where you're going with that comparison and it's not like anyone is throwing a fit or calling for Löw's head over it either. It's just acknowledging facts.You guys honestly sound like two Bayern fans talking about the standard of the German NT. It's not something I'd expect from other fans and it's not the experience that for example my brother has after speaking to Germans at the recent UEFA Nations League event. Expecting the team to win everyone easily in the group is just asking way too much. It's a knockout tournament, not a round-robin qualifier. You expect the team to qualify and if they do, job done. After that you take it one game at a time. Doesn't matter what your country is called. No one is entitled to win anything and that kind of mentality is what will make you end up 3rd or 4th.
Except that's not true for a team like Germany and probably also Spain. Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Müller - that's half the starting XI playing for Bayern, with Kroos you can even add a 6th as a former player. Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Kroos, Khedira, Müller, Özil that's a 7 player spine which has been playing together nearly every competitive match since 2010. Even someone like Reus has played 30 matches for the team, despite his many injuries and Hector has been playing at the left for four years now, too.Winning the group isn't underperforming. You can't apply the same standards to a national team that play together maybe 10 times a year at most and with different players at that.
Looks like there's a consensus about this among you germans.. How did Reus manage to fight his way back into the team? Wasn't he a bit in and out of the squad?I expect:
GK - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector - Kroos, Khedira - Müller, Özil, Reus - Werner
That was because of injuries, majority of German fans would say he should start if he's fit because he is clearly still the best winger we have (infront of Sane, Draxler, Brandt). Time and time again he's come back from long term injuries to continue to play a high level, as he has this season again.Looks like there's a consensus about this among you germans.. How did Reus manage to fight his way back into the team? Wasn't he a bit in and out of the squad?
The competition (Draxler, Sane, maybe Brandt) just isn't that stiff for Reus and he's a very good, versatile/complete and experienced player who usually does well in high pressure situations. So people expect him to take the spot on the left.Looks like there's a consensus about this among you germans.. How did Reus manage to fight his way back into the team? Wasn't he a bit in and out of the squad?
I think outside of west/central Europe (and even here you may bring up England) NT strength and size of population isnt exactly strongly correlated.Mexico with a 100m+ population really should have a better team IMO.
Werner starts no question, he is a fantastic striker and I expect big things of him in the WC.What do Germany fans think about the striker position? Mueller, with Timo Werner as a sub? Werner did well in the Confed Cup and I'm optimistic about him. Offers an outlet for Germany's possession game and if he is clinical enough, I feel he might win a starting position, maybe even during the tournament. Not sure what to make of Nils Peterson or Mario Gomez.
Some key starting eleven decisions:
Reus vs Draxler
Khedira vs Gundogan/Goretzka
Oezil vs Sane
Not sure if you have followed the last tournaments, but the last time Germany went out in group stage was in 1978. After that we always ended up in the top three except for the dark times in '94 and '98 where we went out in quarterfinals. It's a safe bet to say we'll get out of group stages. It might not be pretty, but I'd be more surprised if we actually defended the title than if we didn't make it out of group stages.You guys honestly sound like two Bayern fans talking about the standard of the German NT. It's not something I'd expect from other fans and it's not the experience that for example my brother has after speaking to Germans at the recent UEFA Nations League event. Expecting the team to win everyone easily in the group is just asking way too much. It's a knockout tournament, not a round-robin qualifier. You expect the team to qualify and if they do, job done. After that you take it one game at a time. Doesn't matter what your country is called. No one is entitled to win anything and that kind of mentality is what will make you end up 3rd or 4th.
Indeed. But with football being by far the nr.1 sport in Mexico, good stadiums and rich clubs and big tv deals with a strong domestic league, they really should be doing much better than they do. They've been U-17 and U-20 world champions so the talent is there but they just never seem to take the next step.I think outside of west/central Europe (and even here you may bring up England) NT strength and size of population isnt exactly strongly correlated.
I think it's a safe bet that they will both start. Werner up front, Müller at RW, but you can't really nail him down to one position anyway. Actually, in most matches, Müller started as a winger. I'm so excited to see Timo Werner in a proper tournament. He might be one of the best runners world-wide because he times his runs so precisely that he's almost never offside. When you have playmakers like Özil and Kroos, that's just a disaster for every defensive line that's going to have to face us. Any opponent that isn't 100% disciplined will have to pick a poison sooner or later: either deny the openings for Werner, which gives or midfielders more room to operate or press early and get overrun by Werner, Reus or Sané. And then there's still Müller, a guy who operates without any reasonable pattern and always seems to find the right spot to be in at the right time. I'm not saying we're going to win it, but I like our chances.What do Germany fans think about the striker position? Mueller, with Timo Werner as a sub? (...)
@SirMattBugsby
Werner will most likely begin the tournament as a starter. Löw let him play a lot in the padt and he did alright.
Khedira will be a starter, I think Gündogan's and Goretzka's best chance will be that Özil is having a bad tournament and Löw switches to 3 CMs.
Sane has next to no chance at a starting XI spot.
Reus should start ahead of Draxler. The only thing that might cost him is Löw's loyalty and his lack of NT matches I'm the more recent past.
Mostly agree, although I'm not sure if Khedira has the energy and coverage to complement Kroos in a two-man central midfield. He's been more sedate since the knee injury four years back, although admittedly he still goes box-to-box efficiently.Werner starts no question, he is a fantastic striker and I expect big things of him in the WC.
Other than that:
Reus vs Draxler: Reus is simply a better player
Khedira vs Gundogan/Goretzka: Khedira's abilities might be declining but his experience and intelligence are vital.
Oezil vs Sane: Sane has yet to provide great performances for Germany in the chances he has gotten while Ozil, despite his indifferent Arsenal form, has consistently played well for Germany in that period.
Actually, there aren't many valid alternative options. Gundogan was given a chance to establish himself on Kroos' side vs Brazil, he bottled it in truly epic fashion, though. Goretzka is much better going forward than he is at playing interceptor. Can probably would have been a contender, but his injury made this a none-option.Mostly agree, although I'm not sure if Khedira has the energy and coverage to complement Kroos in a two-man central midfield. He's been more sedate since the knee injury four years back, although admittedly he still goes box-to-box efficiently.
Is the Mexican league really that strong? Not many European clubs seem to buy there.Indeed. But with football being by far the nr.1 sport in Mexico, good stadiums and rich clubs and big tv deals with a strong domestic league, they really should be doing much better than they do. They've been U-17 and U-20 world champions so the talent is there but they just never seem to take the next step.
It's obviously not as strong as the big European leagues or let's say the Brazilian league. But the reason European clubs don't buy there is because wages are high and clubs are well funded so you cannot buy cheap. You get a much better player for your money in Argentina, Chile or Colombia. Guys like Marco Fabian at Eintracht Frankfurt have said in interviews that they want to play in Europe for the challenge and that he could actually get higher wages from a Mexican club than he does playing for Frankfurt.Is the Mexican league really that strong? Not many European clubs seem to buy there.
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Did his courses and worked as an assistant for the national team in the last 2 seasons. And will be U17 coach for Bayern next season.I didn't know Klose was a coach now? Excellent to have his experience at hand in a tournament like this.
I wouldn't be surprised if Germany rolls over Mexico, draws Sweden and only beats SK somewhat narrowly, majorly screwing Mexico by just having a typical Germany group stage.I have a soft spot for Mexico and hope they can get through. They key will be getting through that Germany match without getting battered. Mexico has a miserable record against Germany and the Germans tend to come out guns blazing first game and get a bunch of goals. That could be tough then playing Sweden who'll play defensively.
Even if Mexico does get through it's Brazil in the next round but they do have a decent record against the Brazilians. The World Cup is a different kettle of fish though and Mexico has never advanced past the last-16 outside of Mexico.
I touched on Germany's record in another post. In 1978 there were 2 group stages so Germany bascically went out in the quarter finals that tournament.Not sure if you have followed the last tournaments, but the last time Germany went out in group stage was in 1978. After that we always ended up in the top three except for the dark times in '94 and '98 where we went out in quarterfinals. It's a safe bet to say we'll get out of group stages. It might not be pretty, but I'd be more surprised if we actually defended the title than if we didn't make it out of group stages.
I know, but you get the point on why people are talking differently about the German team than they do about Iceland, just to pick your own NT as an example. When you get out of group stages and start knocking people out in the knock out phases, it's something of a miracle and everyone is excited. Germany? Not so much.I touched on Germany's record in another post. In 1978 there were 2 group stages so Germany bascically went out in the quarter finals that tournament.
It is what everybody expects. This day that includes a good match, too, not just winning.I know, but you get the point on why people are talking differently about the German team than they do about Iceland, just to pick your own NT as an example. When you get out of group stages and start knocking people out in the knock out phases, it's something of a miracle and everyone is excited. Germany? Not so much.
I don't get that people are unhappy with Germany winning the group no. It shows lack of understanding to me to find it unacceptable how they do it sometimes and like I've said, performance in group stages, particulary game 3 when you've already qualified, doesn't predict the performance in the knockouts. It's a different beast.I know, but you get the point on why people are talking differently about the German team than they do about Iceland, just to pick your own NT as an example. When you get out of group stages and start knocking people out in the knock out phases, it's something of a miracle and everyone is excited. Germany? Not so much.
Tbf nobody here has any expectations. We're happy we're there and it will be fun watching us give it a go. If we go past the group stages it would count as a success.What happens with Sweden if Forsberg is in bad form ? I recknon all the pressure will be on him to make the unexpected happen.
The coach made the right call by not taking Ibra ?Tbf nobody here has any expectations. We're happy we're there and it will be fun watching us give it a go. If we go past the group stages it would count as a success.
I think it's doable. We have a well-balanced team, and a coach that knows what he is doing. We always perform the best when we are underdogs, too. (setting myself up to be disappointed... again )Tbf nobody here has any expectations. We're happy we're there and it will be fun watching us give it a go. If we go past the group stages it would count as a success.
This Ibra yeah. Last season's pre and injury Ibra would have been on that plane.The coach made the right call by not taking Ibra ?
Actually Forsberg comes out of a bad season. 5 goals and 4 assists in all competitions and had injury problems.What happens with Sweden if Forsberg is in bad form ? I recknon all the pressure will be on him to make the unexpected happen.
Yeah but he is by a long distance their highest profile player now and being 26 yet, he will be expected to be the main threat of Sweden for the next four or five years unless someone better comes aroundActually Forsberg comes out of a bad season. 5 goals and 4 assists in all competitions and had injury problems.