Germany

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The favorites for any tournament since the erstwhile West Germany won the World Cup in ’90, Germany hasn’t flattered to deceive, but we could say dazzled to fall at the last hurdle. 2002, 2006,2008,2010 has seen them play some of the most attractive football on the international stage yet that Winners’ trophy eludes them. This time however, the team chosen by Joachim Leow seems to be well settled, and despite their tender age, experienced enough to handle the pressure.

Tactics and Formation

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (SV Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96).

Defenders: Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Howedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal).

Midfielders : Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (VfL Borussia Monchengladbach), Andre Schurrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund).

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (FC Koln).

One look at the squad and you begin to wonder whom to leave out.

Neuer is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world today, marvelling with Bayern Munich to just concede 22 goals in the Bundesliga this season. Badstuber has been turned into a CB from his LB position at earlier tournaments. However, given how Mats Hummels has performed for Dortmund, Leow has serious selections to make ahead of the Championships.Lahm might be moved to his less preferred left back with Munich CB Boateng on the right. Moving on, it is the midfield that the abundance of talent really becomes a welcome headache for Leow. Given their performances, Schweinsteiger and Ozil should be confident of being handed starting berths. However, would you start Mueller, who has shone since that brilliant run in the World Cup of ’10, or the “German Messi” Goetze? Would you choose Khedira or Kroos as a foil for Schweinsteiger?

The midfield selection here also depends on the system the Germans play. With 2 forwards as has always been, one would fancy Klose and Podolski, one of the deadliest combinations when it comes to the international stage despite faring below par for club. However, after the season Gomez has had, dropping him would be a harsh call. A system with Klose and Podolski would call for one of either Khedira/Kroos and one of Mueller/Goetze to start.  With only Gomez as the spearhead, you could incorporate three of those four while dropping Klose to the bench. Howver, given Klose and Podolski’s partnership and the fact that Klose is just 5 away from equalling the legendary Gerd Mullers’ record for Germany it does seem Leow will have another hard decision to make.

Summarizing based on club and recent international performances Gomez should get the nod with Podolski and Mueller/Goetze on either flanks. A destroyer in Khedira is needed to play the efficient football ze Germans are known for with Ozil and Schweinsteiger providing the necessary ammuniation up front. This team is a nightmare for any defence. With a decent backline and a worldclass goalkeeper, Die Mannschaft are clearly one of the favorites going into this years Championships.

Star Player – Mesut Ozil

While Klose and Podolski always tend to shine at the international level and with the probability that Goetze will be brought on as an impact substitute, the man to watch would be Mezut Ozil.The Real Madrid playmaker has been instrumental in a season when records were overthrown and Barcelona toppled. He may have vanished in some games but overall the youngster has run himself into the ground carving out delicious passes and through balls for his more adventurous team mates to feast on.Expect the same here and while Schweinsteiger distributes the play, Ozil may well create the killer pass for that decisive goal.

Prediction

The Germans are always in the last four whether it be the Euro’s or the World Cup, Expecting the same this time around. With the players at the managers disposal, they are surely in it to win it. Not reaching the finals would be considered a failure for this side.

Star Rating – 4.5/5

	Aamer Aslam