13th July, 2014 was that glorious day when Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup Final and lifted their fourth World Cup Trophy. The team was a dominant machine as was evident with the manner in which they dismantled their opponents in the run up too and in the tournament itself. There was talk about how this team had the potential to dominate football for the near future.
However, after that they are faring miserably (as compared to their high standards) and look a pale shadow of the team they were in Brazil, just 10 months ago.
Germany has played a total of 8 games after the World Cup, of which 3 of them were friendlies.
· They were thrashed 4-2 by Argentina;
· Beat a severely under strength Spain 1-0;
· And drew with Australia 2-2.
The remaining five games were UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifiers.
The countries along with Germany in the group are Gibraltar, Georgia, Ireland, Poland, and Scotland. Looks like it should have been a cakewalk for Germany to qualify as the toppers of this group. But that certainly hasn’t been the case. Out of the five games they have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1.
· Draw 1-1 vs. Ireland
· Conceded a last minute equaliser which exposed their defensive frailties
· Lost 2-0 vs Poland
· Won 2-0 vs Georgia
· Won 4-0 vs Gilbratar
This game could be considered as a sort of saving grace for the minnows Gibraltar as they were thrashed 7-0 by both Ireland and Poland.
They won 2-1 vs. Scotland.
They only gained control of the game after Scotland was reduced to 10 men.
They have secured 10 points from possible 15 and find themselves tied on second place with Scotland.
Germany is a team that always seems to qualify for major competitions, but, this time they have been suffering due to the absence of an experienced frontline striker (retirement of Miroslav Klose). Thomas Muller is a perfect replacement as he is scoring goals regularly but plays in the midfield at his club Bayern Munich and is an attacking midfielder.
There was no definite formation even until the semi finals of the World Cup until Philipp Lahm was moved back to his specialist role as a right back. Prior to that game, only the striker, the goalkeeper, and the two central defenders were playing in their proper positions. The moment Lahm was used as a right back the team looked more assured. His retirement has created a huge void in the team. Shkodran Mustafi and Matthais Ginter are able replacements in this position. Their midfield oozes of class and talent even with major stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Julian Draxler out injured. Their goalkeeper is Manuel Neuer(no comments). Their central defence has Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng and the left backs Benedikt Howedes and Marcel Schmelzer too are reliable. So, only 1 problem remains: striker.
Germany needs to get a specialist striker(like Kevin Volland) and test him at the highest level so that he will be ready and able to fire when it matters most. He was in the 30 Man Probable list for the 2014 World Cup and plays for 1899 Hoffenheim.
At the end of the international fixtures for the 2014 season Germany was involved in a 3 way tie for the second place in the Euro Qualification Group when coach Joachim Loew promised the world that they would see the old Germany in 2015. In the friendly vs. Australia (first International assignment of 2015) the World Champions were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw. In the first half, the performance was shambolic and the back 3 experiment was a disaster. Even though Australia is the Asian Champion it is expected the World No.1 team and World Champions should be able to beat them even with a reserve 11.
The second round of qualifiers will be played this year and to assure themselves of a spot they will have to beat table toppers Poland and not slip up elsewhere to assure themselves a top 2 spot for automatic qualification.
Failure to improve their form could result in a 3rd place finish in the group which will force them into a high pressure two legged qualifier (3rd placed team gets another chance at qualification).
Germany usually plays its best football during major tournaments but at the rate they are going, they COULD face the embarrassment of missing out on the Euro 2016 and that is something no one wants to see.
Reubyn RF
However, after that they are faring miserably (as compared to their high standards) and look a pale shadow of the team they were in Brazil, just 10 months ago.
Germany has played a total of 8 games after the World Cup, of which 3 of them were friendlies.
· They were thrashed 4-2 by Argentina;
· Beat a severely under strength Spain 1-0;
· And drew with Australia 2-2.
The remaining five games were UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifiers.
The countries along with Germany in the group are Gibraltar, Georgia, Ireland, Poland, and Scotland. Looks like it should have been a cakewalk for Germany to qualify as the toppers of this group. But that certainly hasn’t been the case. Out of the five games they have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1.
· Draw 1-1 vs. Ireland
· Conceded a last minute equaliser which exposed their defensive frailties
· Lost 2-0 vs Poland
· Won 2-0 vs Georgia
· Won 4-0 vs Gilbratar
This game could be considered as a sort of saving grace for the minnows Gibraltar as they were thrashed 7-0 by both Ireland and Poland.
They won 2-1 vs. Scotland.
They only gained control of the game after Scotland was reduced to 10 men.
They have secured 10 points from possible 15 and find themselves tied on second place with Scotland.
Germany is a team that always seems to qualify for major competitions, but, this time they have been suffering due to the absence of an experienced frontline striker (retirement of Miroslav Klose). Thomas Muller is a perfect replacement as he is scoring goals regularly but plays in the midfield at his club Bayern Munich and is an attacking midfielder.
There was no definite formation even until the semi finals of the World Cup until Philipp Lahm was moved back to his specialist role as a right back. Prior to that game, only the striker, the goalkeeper, and the two central defenders were playing in their proper positions. The moment Lahm was used as a right back the team looked more assured. His retirement has created a huge void in the team. Shkodran Mustafi and Matthais Ginter are able replacements in this position. Their midfield oozes of class and talent even with major stars like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Julian Draxler out injured. Their goalkeeper is Manuel Neuer(no comments). Their central defence has Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng and the left backs Benedikt Howedes and Marcel Schmelzer too are reliable. So, only 1 problem remains: striker.
Germany needs to get a specialist striker(like Kevin Volland) and test him at the highest level so that he will be ready and able to fire when it matters most. He was in the 30 Man Probable list for the 2014 World Cup and plays for 1899 Hoffenheim.
At the end of the international fixtures for the 2014 season Germany was involved in a 3 way tie for the second place in the Euro Qualification Group when coach Joachim Loew promised the world that they would see the old Germany in 2015. In the friendly vs. Australia (first International assignment of 2015) the World Champions were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw. In the first half, the performance was shambolic and the back 3 experiment was a disaster. Even though Australia is the Asian Champion it is expected the World No.1 team and World Champions should be able to beat them even with a reserve 11.
The second round of qualifiers will be played this year and to assure themselves of a spot they will have to beat table toppers Poland and not slip up elsewhere to assure themselves a top 2 spot for automatic qualification.
Failure to improve their form could result in a 3rd place finish in the group which will force them into a high pressure two legged qualifier (3rd placed team gets another chance at qualification).
Germany usually plays its best football during major tournaments but at the rate they are going, they COULD face the embarrassment of missing out on the Euro 2016 and that is something no one wants to see.
Reubyn RF