Croatia v. Germany [R]

[Marbur66]

I predict we will see the same starting eleven as we did against Poland.

My prediction for the match: Germany leads 3:0 by the 25th minute (goals from Gomez x2, Klose). 2nd half Croatia gets one back, but Germany responds with a goal from Podolski in the 75th minute. Match ends 4:1.
Sounds good to me. ;):D

[ForeverRed]

The point is, that while Podolski was great going forward, he mostly left Jansen all on his own in defense - on the right side, Lahm had the benefit of Fritz helping him when Poland was going forward so it was much easier to regain possession.

Despite that Loew won't abandon his attacking formation and will most likely go with the same XI he did against Poland. And he should, it was effective and its the right way to play against a team like Croatia. Gomez has attributes way too valuable to leave on the bench.

[squidward123]

Your optimism is always admirable, dear Kiwi! ;)

I'm close to being realistic with that comment.

We're playing Croatia - a good team who are at their first big tournament and also showed a lot of nerves against Austria.

On the other hand Germany are a better team, at their 2nd big tournament, have more inherited self-confidence and were better than Croatia against a better opponent in the opening round.

You're the most pessimistic person on our board about this tournament :p

[Equilibrium]

Gomez cannot be benched, how can he score on Croatia if he is benched? Plus, he needs a goal to get started, as does Klose. I hope Croatia play as bad as they did before, they weren't as impressive as usual.

[Projekt4]

The point is, that while Podolski was great going forward, he mostly left Jansen all on his own in defense - on the right side, Lahm had the benefit of Fritz helping him when Poland was going forward so it was much easier to regain possession.

Podolski did more defensive work than Ribéry does at Bayern in front of Jansen for example, and I expect him to do even more as the tournament goes on. We've seen that he can do it pretty well actually.

There's no way to excuse Jansen's shocking approach to defending IMO. Lahm needs to take him aside and remind him how playing fullback works. Otherwise Jansen would need to be benched before the semifinal at the latest.

Re: Hitzlsperger, we'll have to differ a bit on an overall assessment of his quality, but in Stuttgart he plays side midfielder in a diamond, just like Borowski, not what Löw wants to see on the wing.

[Lahmfan]

I'm close to being realistic with that comment.

We're playing Croatia - a good team who are at their first big tournament and also showed a lot of nerves against Austria.


:confused: what do you mean??

I predict a close game with croatia, but i hope they play the way they did with Austria, then we can finish them off.

[checkmate]

Either way we won't lose. And in the best case scenario, we'll end up 2 goals up :)

[squidward123]

:confused: what do you mean??

I predict a close game with croatia, but i hope they play the way they did with Austria, then we can finish them off.

I mean that this croatian side, after forming an identity with several new players and new manager, are in their first tournament

[footyfan1]

I mean that this croatian side, after forming an identity with several new players and new manager, are in their first tournament

And they will be fired up for this match. I think it's going to be closer than many of you think.

[squidward123]

And they will be fired up for this match. I think it's going to be closer than many of you think.

me included?

[Projekt4]

I get the feeling this will be Germany's best match in the group stages. But I continue to be concerned about complacency in this team.

[squidward123]

I get the feeling this will be Germany's best match in the group stages. But I continue to be concerned about complacency in this team.

complacency? what complacency?

[Projekt4]

complacency? what complacency?

The lack of utmost desire which some matches before the tournament were approached (esp. last autum) and the lack of desire to score a second goal against Poland. The team is generally not trying as hard as it used to.

This is my impression, perhaps you don't share it, won't really affect mine.

Doing only the "required minimum" doesn't need to be bad either.

Anyway, Croatia hasn't done anything to impress except perhaps that Wembley win against England; not in this tournament and not before. Maybe tomorrow is their chance.

[Jaga]

Germany 4

Croatia -1


Their overrated and their coach is too cocky.

[squidward123]

The lack of utmost desire which some matches before the tournament were approached (esp. last autum) and the lack of desire to score a second goal against Poland. The team is generally not trying as hard as it used to.

The only thing that applies to now from here is the 2nd goal against poland bit...but they will sort it as the tournament goes. Anyway, poland played wel too in that period...

[footyfan1]

The lack of utmost desire which some matches before the tournament were approached (esp. last autum) and the lack of desire to score a second goal against Poland. The team is generally not trying as hard as it used to.

This is my impression, perhaps you don't share it, won't really affect mine.

Doing only the "required minimum" doesn't need to be bad either.

Anyway, Croatia hasn't done anything to impress except perhaps that Wembley win against England; not in this tournament and not before. Maybe tomorrow is their chance.


Which is exactly what has me worried just a bit.

[footyfan1]

The only thing that applies to now from here is the 2nd goal against poland bit...but they will sort it as the tournament goes. Anyway, poland played wel too in that period...


Actually, I think he was dead on.

It seems you are saying it doesn't apply because it's tournament time now.

How quickly we forget that crappy World Cup opening performance against Costa Rica.


Sometimes this German team needs someone to give them a scare to really get them going. At the World Cup, it was Costa Rica. Who's to say it isn't the Croatians now??

[Cris 09]

Actually, I think he was dead on.

It seems you are saying it doesn't apply because it's tournament time now.

How quickly we forget that crappy World Cup opening performance against Costa Rica.


Sometimes this German team needs someone to give them a scare to really get them going. At the World Cup, it was Costa Rica. Who's to say it isn't the Croatians now??

I'll settle for a scare...as long as it doesn't have a side order of "lose" with it.

[nekkibasara]

^I really don’t know why people are ‘rating’ the Croatians. They are a very weak team. Beating England is meaningless, come-on Macedonia got a draw against them. MACEDONIA! Anything less than a dominating performance would be worrying for our chances in this tournament.

Honestly we should have little trouble scoring on this Croatian team. Their defense is extremely slow and foul prone. All of us Bayern fans know how poorly R. Kovac plays against big physical strikers like Gomez. The Croatian midfield is also quite slow and Ballack/Frings should have little trouble controlling the tempo of the match.

[Cris 09]

^I really don’t know why people are ‘rating’ the Croatians. They are a very weak team. Beating England is meaningless, come-on Macedonia got a draw against them. MACEDONIA! Anything less than a dominating performance would be worrying for our chances in this tournament.

Honestly we should have little trouble scoring on this Croatian team. Their defense is extremely slow and foul prone. All of us Bayern fans know how poorly R. Kovac plays against big physical strikers like Gomez. The Croatian midfield is also quite slow and Ballack/Frings should have little trouble controlling the tempo of the match.

Germany and Cyprus tied as well...remember that?