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@Don Alfredo was right in the end. Germany usually steps up when it matters, but not this time. It seems they are done as national team.
Man, I thought if I had low expectations, it wouldn't frustrate me as much. Didn't work@Don Alfredo was right in the end. Germany usually steps up when it matters, but not this time. It seems they are done as national team.
Just watched the interview again. That's very worrying. There is clearly a problem with the role of the fullbacks and no covering from the CMs or the Wingers for them, when they push up.Interesting post-match comments by Hummels, claiming that 7-8 players are almost entirely offensive minded and that he's brought up the issue several times behind closed doors.
They definitely lack balance at the moment, it's really weird.
We'll have to see them against Sweden to assess how much this was due to Mexico's approach. It completely threw them off the pace Mexico was going at them and made them look very bad but that's also the merit of Mexico.I can't believe some comments come from people who really watch football on a regular basis. So "they are done as a national team" because nothing worked in one game?
If Sweden beats South Korea tomorrow, they can virtually qualify with a point against Germany (assuming another draw against México will get both teams through, eliminating Germany).Swedes and Koreans are surely fecked now. Worst-case scenario for both of them.
Between those 4 names, you have 2 German Champions, an Italian Champion and someone who is always good for that killer pass. I'll grant you Özil if you have to hate on them, but try as you might, those are probably the best Germany has at the moment on their positions. It's easy to hate on players after they lost a game. But name me a replacement for them that doesn't suck balls compared to them. Go ahead, we'll wait.Lowe is showing too much loyalty to his old horses. Boeteng, khedira, ozil, muller all need to be replaced but he prefers them. They have to be careful or they may get knocked out in the group stage itself.
Süle, Gundogan, Reus, Brandt.Between those 4 names, you have 2 German Champions, an Italian Champion and someone who is always good for that killer pass. I'll grant you Özil if you have to hate on them, but try as you might, those are probably the best Germany has at the moment on their positions. It's easy to hate on players after they lost a game. But name me a replacement for them that doesn't suck balls compared to them. Go ahead, we'll wait.
Germany was lucky to lose 1-0. Easily could have been 5-6 goals for Mexico.I can't believe some comments come from people who really watch football on a regular basis. So "they are done as a national team" because nothing worked in one game?
Thing is, when you're losing and try a goal at any cost, the players will be out of position many times in counter attacks. I think they go to a more conservative approuch in the next games.Germany was lucky to lose 1-0. Easily could have been 5-6 goals for Mexico.
It wasn’t like Germany dominated and Mexico did a smash and grab.
Of course it’s not over for them, but sighs are troublesome.
Is he any good for Sweden? Like he was touted to be one of the brightest talents around during his Benfica time? Or more similar to his Utd performances?Might the Hermit Kingdom topple the might of Lindelöf and Sweden tomorrow? I doubt it.
Boateng's passes sucked balls today. His clearances were also woeful, I lost count of the number of times he booted the ball out of play. Don't think Rudiger or Sule are better, but they have more hunger and desire than Boateng and Hummels.Between those 4 names, you have 2 German Champions, an Italian Champion and someone who is always good for that killer pass. I'll grant you Özil if you have to hate on them, but try as you might, those are probably the best Germany has at the moment on their positions. It's easy to hate on players after they lost a game. But name me a replacement for them that doesn't suck balls compared to them. Go ahead, we'll wait.
Other than Cafu, there was no RB on Lahm's level in this century. There is a reason why Pep Guardiola said, that Lahm is the most intelligent player he ever worked with, even though he worked with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta.I said before the tournament that this is Germany's weakest side since the 2006 WC. And the performances this year cannot be ignored even if they were friendlies. I thought Kimmich was shocking today. He is great player in the making but (obviously) not on the same level as Lahm in 2014.
I was mostly joking. I've only watched a few of his Sweden games. But yes, he's pretty good for them. More solid than for United, less of the confidence problems for the "Iceman", so-called. He and his defensive compatriots held off Italy with no problems.Is he any good for Sweden? Like he was touted to be one of the brightest talents around during his Benfica time? Or more similar to his Utd performances?
I don't know how much is it on Kimmich rather than Low. It's very clear from the first minute that Mexico left wing are dangerous and it seems Low done nothing to adjust. If Low did something and Kimmich was ignoring/not executing it properly, why did Kimmich stayed for all 90 minutes?I thought it was baffling how much Kimmich pushed up, when it was clear how Lorzano was told to stay high and punish the space on the counter. Kimmich should have acted by himself and cut his offensive runs to block the passing lanes to Lorzano in case of counter. I know that is not how it is supposed to be, normally the CMs or Muller should cover for him but the CMs are both very bad at covering large spaces (slow, bad positioning) and Muller's defensive game has deteriorated almost as much as his offensive game. When it was obvious that no one would cover for him, Kimmich should have decided to stay behind. He is a defender after all, even if he did score 2 against Real. There were enough people drifting to the right with Muller, Werner, Ozil and later Reus.
Maybe Kimmich is too ambitious in his forward drive because of the freedom he has at Bayern. He is touted to be future captain at Bayern and NT, I want to see him thinking and acting on his own behalf if he sees the tactics are not working, instead of doing the same shit over and over again. That's what the big characters do.
I think a 3-man-midfield is a must at this point, maybe even a 5-man-backline. I suggested a 352 earlier in the thread, don't believe for one second that will happen though.
Sebastian Rudy to the rescue, Lothar called it
I still think they will go through, but these groups of players need a good overhaul.I can't believe some comments come from people who really watch football on a regular basis. So "they are done as a national team" because nothing worked in one game?
I suggest you check our last two or three games against Brazil, final game at the olympics specifically.. I just don't think you should suppose Mexico is weaker after what we saw against Germany.First half by Mexico was brilliant! Though I don't know what the feck were those subs in the second half. He took out both Lozano and Vela, whom might be their most talented and dangerous players, while leaving Chicharito on the pitch (he was being too wasteful) and to top it off he brings 39 years old Rafael fecking Marquez making the team void of pace and forcing them to sit back and pray to keep their minimum advantage.
Still Mexico has a good chance of topping their group if they can beat South Korea and that would be a big change as they could avoid Brazil and have a longer run in the cup. So the team should build around their first half and stop subbing off both Vela and Lozano when clinging only in a one goal advantage. Vela is a really skilled and intelligent player who was brilliant and highly rated in spanish while Lozano has good potential and could go to a big club after this world cup.
Knowing Löw, this is a pretty big IF. Personally, I'm bracing for a very early exit from this WC.Germany will be fine if Löw throws loyalty out of the window and sub Khedira, Ozil and Muller. They have the squad and mentality to bounce back from this.
What's the point of all those capital letters?I think this one is on Löw. DIE MANNSCHAFT reminded me of a caricature of Bosz's Dortmund, especially in the first half. I can sort of understand why he fielded the MANNSCHAFT he did, even though one may mention that Mexico's approach should not have been a surprise. But when you see your MANNSCHAFT getting carved open again and again, because there are YUGE spaces behind your midfield and RB it's inexcusable that you don't react quickly.
I know this is hindsight 10/10, but when you don't really create in attack and get carved open time and time again on the counter you have to consolidate first. Tell Khedira and Kroos to drop deeper, maybe sub in Gündogan, calm down the match, try to get some control, even if it's in meaningless areas, and let the Mexicans burn their energy.
Instead DIE MANNSCHAFT just kept running into counter attack after counter attack.
How DIE MANNSCHAFT fare from here depends on Löw's ability to improvise and cut old ties. Reus really has to start imho and if he can't organize a better cover against counter attacks then one of the AMs needs to be dropped for a 3rd CB or CM.
It underlines the team spirit of DIE MANNSCHAFT.What's the point of all those capital letters?
That's my issue again, everyone can see the imbalance in the team yet Low commits the same mistake. He's a proactive manager who needs to make a mistake to realize it, he can't see it before hand.Interesting post-match comments by Hummels, claiming that 7-8 players are almost entirely offensive minded and that he's brought up the issue several times behind closed doors.
They definitely lack balance at the moment, it's really weird.
do.ob, as usual, is trying to wind someone up. This time it's the Germans who don't like being referred to as that he's targeted.What's the point of all those capital letters?
You can't really blame a FB for supporting the attack, especially not in Löw's setup. Providing cover for him is other player's (and Löw's) job, as he can't be in two places at once.Said earlier in this thread that Germany's big weakness was the fullbacks - and they are still a huge issue.
Kimmich is maybe the most overrated player in the world, and the left side is just a giant vacuum. That's the area that teams can attack and exploit Germany.
This is such bullshit. He played the way Löw wanted him to, high up as a sort of winger. He can't be in two places at once, can he?Kimmich is maybe the most overrated player in the world, and the left side is just a giant vacuum. That's the area that teams can attack and exploit Germany.
Way OTT@Don Alfredo was right in the end. Germany usually steps up when it matters, but not this time. It seems they are done as national team.
I just enjoy the sight of "DIE MANNSCHAFT". Because it's so ridiculously out of place.do.ob, as usual, is trying to wind someone up. This time it's the Germans who don't like being referred to as that he's targeted.
We could be done for this cup though, really. The form of the last handful of matches has been confirmed yesterday, this wasn't a blip or accident. We need a nothing short of miraculous improvement.Way OTT