(Int'l Friendly) Frankreich gg. Deutschland 02.06.13 [R]

Not a bad formation, but why Adler over Neuer? Adler has been in terrifying form lately, but Neuer is hardly slouching either. Why fix something that ain't broke?

Maybe ForeverRed chose as few Bayern players as possible because he has realized that they have a loser mentality. In order for the team to improve further, he thinks there should be fewer of them.

Schweinsteiger will miss the match Bayern and DFB announced because of problems with his ankle. (but he already had that end of the match yesterday)

Are you not concerned with the winners? What about the French team?

I'd like to see a Ilky-Sami-Kroos trio in midfield behind Mueller-Ozil-Reus. Having Bender and Sami clearing space in front of Ilky the way Marchisio and Vidal clear the pitch in front Pirlo, would be interesting to see to, but I think things would run smoother with Kroos instead of Lars.

The only problem is I fear it may be too attacking. Khedira can defend and sit in front of the defence, but he's used to his fullest extent when he has license to go forward, whereas neither Kroos nor Gündogan being particularly inspiring when defending. Bender would add a bit more defensive awareness IMO, which would bring out the best in Khedira and Gündogan, no?

I think L. Bender is as much a B2B mid as Khedira. Both aren't pure DMs. If Schweini is out, we're going to see Kroos - Khedira with a faint chance of seeing Gündogan - Khedira in the middle. If, and this is a highly unlike if, Löw decided to go for a three man midfield, then it'll definitely be having Kroos and Khedira in it, whoever the third may be.

Also, both Gomez and Klose are on the recovery trail after injuries, so there may actually be a chance of seeing the strikerless formation that everyone seems to want.

*shrug* our formation is already pretty offensive, pairing a Deep lying playmaker with a box to box guy. I don't think Schweini's much better than Gundogan at all, so pairing Gundogan with Khedira should work just as well as the Schweini/Khedira pairing has. If you then add a Kroos in front of those two rather than a striker in front of Ozil, we'd actually be better defensively up the middle. I do think a formation with Lars and Sami in front of Gundogan/Schweini could be very effective, but with our attacking talent we can be more aggressive.

Yes. I like Lahm and Müller on Ribery's side. And when they get subbed I hope Deschamps subs Ribery, too.

No Götze on this side, please - he is no good luck as he was near Badstuber when he got injured...

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Gündogan, Schmelzer and Klose are in question because of little injuries.

Kroos will start, not Lars.

Precisely, though I think all 3 of them link midfield and attack. Kroos has 7 assists and 8 goals and has largely played that role with the NT. Khedira is, attacking wise, having his best season ever and gundogan doesn't score but brilliant at finding that killer pass from deep in his own half. They're all overlapping but because they're so intelligent they can work together.

Never understood why.

Kiessling should be brought to the NT. he is a top striker in bundesliga i think

Klose probably will miss, too - him and Lars Bender are seeing Dr. Müller-Wohlfarth.

I do not mind seeing a Müller-Özil-Poldi lineup. We haven't seen that for a while.

Why Podolski over Schürrle?

What did I tell u... They'll all drop like flies before the match..

If Löw picks Podolski over Schürrle I am not going to be a happy camper. If Löw does not try a strikerless formation I am going to be pissed. And if Löw does not deviate at all from his generic 4-2-3-1 my head is going to explode.