If fitness, form, skill and cohesion combine in team in right proportion, only fools can write them off in any competition. The never say die Germans always give their best as a reflection of their national character.
In 2014 FIFA world cup, a very strong German team is oozing in confidence as one of the top favorites to spoil the party of high riding Brazil or Argentina. It is almost two decades that Germany has won any major international title in soccer. In fact Germany has not won any world cup after getting reunited breaking the Berlin wall. Their three championships in 1954, 1974 and 1990 were all won as West Germany. Defeat in the 2002 final against Brazil is the closest they could go since then. Consecutive third place finishes in 2006 and 2010 have haunted them. Another championship for high quality German team has become overdue.
German teams Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the recent past broke strongly into European circuit heralding a new era in German Football. Though these teams assembled world class football talents from all over the world yet the nucleus of the teams are talented Germans. Moreover, only few teams got into Brazil World Cup in more convincing style than Germany winning nine of the 10 matches in the qualifying from Europe Group C. The only other match was a thrilling 4-4 draw with Sweden. Germans scored 36 goals in those 10 matches. The team and its fans now believe that there are no reasons now why Germans cannot break the duck and add a fourth FIFA world cup title.
Who can forget the famous German win of 1974 final when Germans overcame very strong challenge of their talented neighbor the Netherlands playing the most artistic total football at that time? Superstar Johan Cruyff scored with a minute of the start before any German could even touch the ball. Playing very skillfully Germans ably marshaled by Franz Beckenbauer not only absorbed flurry of orange power but won the cup 2-1. The Netherlands team of 1974 is considered by many as one of the best all time yet could not win because of methodical and disciplined German style of football.
German team of 30 comprise of a blend of talented youth and seasoned professionals.
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)
Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Phillipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler, (Schalke 04), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Andre Hahn (Augsburg), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Miroslav Klose (SS Lazio), Kevin Volland (TSG Hoffenheim)
The omissions of talented striker Mario Gomez, Gladbach’s Max Kruse and other experienced players such as Hamburg’s Heiko Westermann and Rene Adler created some storm in German media. But the think-tank had to pick and choose in a situation of “Embarrassment of Riches“ when several players of extraordinary talent vying for the same place. German coach Low has repeatedly insisted that he exclusively wants players who are in top fitness, so Gomez – who has been injured for nearly a whole season – was always going to be an outside bet.
In the absence of Gomez and Kruse, Kevin Volland now has a good chance of making the final squad. The 21 year old Hoffenheim forward has been in fine form this season, and could see a surprising action in Brazil if Low is brave enough to play him over Miroslav Klose. Should Klose be considered fit enough for the first team, he will be poaching as usual, and will surely break even more records at his fourth World Cup. If not, Volland will be looking to prove his worth on the major stage. Though experiments with a false nine haven’t entirely worked for Low, the attacking talent he has in midfield is certainly to be feared.
At his best, Mesut Ozil creates more space and chances for Germany than anyone, but his form at Arsenal this year has been worrying. Sami Khedira, should he return to full fitness in time, will be the rock around which Low hopes to build his midfield, though that role can be played by Schweinsteiger in the Madrid man’s absence.
Germany’s strength has been a fine balance between the quick technical players such as Marco Reus, Mario Gotze and Mesut Ozil and veteran like Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose. With so many creative talents at his disposal coach has the luxury to experiment tactically the standard 4-2-3-1 system with occasional 4-1-4-1
Germany is also in a very strong qualifying group with Portugal, Ghana and USA. The climate may also be a decisive factor. Teams from Europe have to acclimatize with the humidity and high temperature. Determined Germans are expected to adapt well as they have strong will and excellent mental toughness.
All said Germans appear to be well equipped to go all the way though they will need a fair bit of luck. Despite his obsession with having a fully-fit team, Low is likely to bring back Khedira if he possibly can, as he knows that Germany struggle defensively without him. There will be goals a plenty, the question is simply if the side can keep their heads – and their lungs – in the game. Lack of fitness and concentration saw them fail in 2012, but the renewed youth in this squad may help that this time around.
BDST: 1058 HRS, MAY 17, 2014
