this formation only happens when germany are in rush for goals, as you can see in the ending periods of recent friendly matches, the coach put in this kind of formation
Atleast unlike Ribery, Boateng knows to pick the right age. Funny, Gina doesn't need to read his mind, she can read his cap!
Germany should invade Holland (again)'and then you could filed team: Van Persie Van der Vaart - Özil - Robben Piggy - Sneijder Lahm - Hummels - MvB - DeJong Neuer
Jogi said in the press conference that he was absolutely not amused and apparently gave ole Jerôme quite a dressing-down in front of his colleagues. Stressed that Boa better play his heart out on Saturday after this escapade. Confirmed Lahm-Bads-Merte-Boateng line-up for Saturday.
We've got a negative precedent for such a merger of squads. Back when Hitler brought Austria back into the fold, that didn't work out too well. He insisted the national team would include a fifty-fifty mix, despite the Austrians being the better team. Coupled with the new squad having no experience playing together, things didn't work out too well at the 1938 World Cup. Bloody Führer. As for the Dutch, hm, I'd take Müller over Robben. Arjen would however be a great super-sub. Him coming in might lend his vintage move more oomph. Still predictable, but perhaps teams would have a harder time adjusting to those conditions in-game. Sneijder instead of Kroos? Hm, perhaps not in current form? And while on the subject of who'd make the German team. How about say England? Cole? Rooney? And what would a joint German-Portuguese line-up look like? Just wondering. Not planning to invade anytime soon.
Actually while cutting down Boateng, he praised Lars Bender. The German media is full of speculation today that he might play Bender instead of Boateng. http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fussball_dfbteam/artikel_570059.html They even said it on the radio a bit earlier. That would be a gutsy and risky move, since Bender has never played that position in an official game.
As I've speculated a couple of weeks ago, maybe Bender as RB could become more than just a last resort solution. He seems to have the required skillset. IF he plays against Portugal and keeps C. Ronaldo of all players in his pocket, he might turn into a permanent solution on that position. However, it's still pure speculation at this point and impossible to judge Bender's actual capabilities as an RB, as he's never played that position in an actual match. Only in training. Also, I hope that, if Bender really gets to start ahead of Boateng, it will be because Jogi regards him as the better player for this position, based on the impressions during their training sessions. It needs to be a decision that is based on actual footballing reasons. If, however, Bender gets to play mainly because Boateng is getting punished for that harmless incident, then I will probably root for Portugal.
Actually, that's not true. Both Sven and Lars were tried as left/right back options at 1860. They were moved to DM instead but they were tried for a few games, not as starters, at those positions. While it may be risky, Lars is a very smart player and adapts well. His work rate is well known so what he may lack in experience he compensates for in determination. Not sure that will work against a team like Portugal, but one never knows.
Well, he did break curfew...and during the prep week leading up to an important tournament. In the old days you would hear stories of players stumbling out of bed hours before kickoff and having the games of their lives, but this is a different era. With a cell phone in every pocket, Boateng should have been more discrete...but he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, is he?
Playing Devil's Advocate here, but why? What makes him so special that he can break curfew and the other guys -- guys that might actually start above him -- obey their coach. Adhering to rules shows complaince and that you are taking things seriously. Openly breaking curfew shows a disrespect for the rules and your coach. It says that he thinks he's above the rules or somehow thinks he should get special treatment. Obeying the rules, even if you disagree with them, shows that you will listen to your coach. How is Loew to trust Boateng now? He was a idiot to do it. He was even more of an idiot to do it so openly. If he does get benched he deserves it, full stop. If the team is so deep and even in talent, then this will teach Herr Boateng to think twice before he sees a piece of tail he wants and maybe he should think with his other head.
...and yet you give no explanation as to why Boateng should be given a free pass. Why not just get hookers for ALL the players and have not curfew. I am sure Ribery can help his team mates score some girls.
Jogi is smart...He just raised the issue so this kind of thing doesnt happen again.. But he is not going to make a big deal out of it. No need to alienate players, or to take the attention away from more important things. This is not such a big thing anyway... To put in perspective, Terry, Lampard, Gigs have done far worse things
Actually, if he has sooo many options, I doubt he gives a shit about alienating Boateng. I would suspect that -- as competitive as positions are in the back line -- few are going to shed a tear for Boateng and his poor judgement. Hell, I bet privately most of the players are hoping he gets benched. I agree Jogi is smart and if you read his comments here he was saying what I was alluding to. Banging your teammate's wife is a FAR cry from what Boateng did. I don't recall those guys doing it the week of a major match. What those guys did broke down team harmony and comitted a cardinal "guy sin" of not banging your mates' woman without permission. What Boateng did was break the trust of his coach, not his team mates.