So funny to read this after yesterday... I talked about Hummels problems when dealing with high/long balls and then this game against Paraguay happens... Guess I'm not so bad at this football thing afterall.
The humility... At least we know you're the kind of guy going around boasting when a coincidence happens to support an argument. You're still dodging the initial accusation and no instance in a given match will absolve you from it, sorry.
It was for sure, because I hate this tabloid behaviour on bigsoccer. First players are praised and after some time they are bashed. Hummels performance wasn't good, but the whole team did not work. It was early in the season and I am sure he will bounce back.
I was really worried at how much space was between our DMs and the CBs. So many times Paraguayan players would have space in that red zone but weren't able to play it quickly enough. I don't think we have a good chance at the World Cup playing this defensively unstable double pivot, especially when the candidates for that spot are Schweini, Khedira, and Gundogan. There willingness to go forward leaves such huge spaces in between our defensive lines that any top team with good playmakers will make us pay.
Which is why I've always been a big fan of the three-man midfield for Germany, whether its 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1, etc. It enables is to envision a wide range of combinations never explored before. But if Löw hasn't changed the 4-2-3-1 now, my fear is he won't ever change it. Plus, it isn't so much the formation as the way we're playing it. Bayern and BVB have both created solid 4-2-3-1 variants that entail defensive solidity without compromising offensive strength. Problem is the CMs in Löw's 4--2-3-1 are playing like they're in a 4-3-3, with a lot of freedom to join the attack knowing there's two other midfielders that can help out, when the reality is the backline is left totally isolated, particularly when the fullbacks move up. In normal tactical procedure, a midfielder will drop deep in between the CBs, creating a temporary three man backline to cover for the fullbacks moving up. But not Löw's Germany. That's what's worrying; Löw doesn't seem to care for balance in a side.
Which is a real problem because we really aren't playing a 4-2-3-1; it's really more of a 4-4-1-1 since Mesut is very high up the pitch and doesn't move back nearly enough to be considered a midfielder. Reus and Muller both love to push up and it often becomes a 4-2-4, and then the full backs love to move up as well. So basically we have the two DMs that are responsible for such a huge range of the pitch defensively, while Hummels and Mertesacker/Boateng need to move very far laterally to protect the space vacated by Lahm and Schmelzer. As you said, there needs to be a balance, and we simply have too many attack minded players who aren't being coached well by Low to emphasize defense and taking up space in midfield, especially in between the lines. How long have we not had a clean sheet...
Which goes to show you how much the manager's fault all this is, and naturally has a domino effect on the rest.
I still don't think it's enough to cover for all the attacking players moving up. Also, when Lahm and Schmelzer move up to over lap, Muller and Reus tend to move FORWARD and into the middle to receive the pass, and aren't in good positions to track back.
Höwedes was horrible, slow, indecisive, bad positioning and seemed overwhelmed with his responsibility as a captain, always screaming at his teammates.
Höwedes has not just stagnated ever since he won the U21 Euros, he has regressed. Defenders tend to have longer careers, a lot of them reach their highest level in their thirties. One can only hope that Höwedes gets back on track in near future. Maybe a change of scenery could help.
Höwedes regression way overstated but he has not been playing well. I just don't think Schalke is the best team to be if you want to grow as a player. How many coaches has he already played under who constantly moved him around, not allowing him to develop in just one position at such a young age? Moreover the team itself keeps changing identities and just isn't a stable place. As expected, players suffer and it's a shame.
The genius Isco with an assist and a winning goal and a man of the match performance. Mesut Oezil will never get back his favorite central position as a number 10 as long as Isco is fit.
Özil's one of the best 10s in the world, but his lack of versatility is doing him in right now. Can't seem to consistently thrive anywhere other than as a central attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, and Ancelotti's 4-3-3 doesn't accommodate him. I'm still unconvinced his role in the NT is critical. Would rather explore possibilities of Schweinsteiger, one of the Benders, and Gündôgan in a 4-3-3. And Khedira's position at Real is under serious threat by a São Paulo reject. Says it all, really.
Maybe he needs a bit of re-invention. In this case this can be a great learning experience. Also, although Isco is "central" he's really not as both interchanged all match and throughout preseason. The solution for this side now is to line up with a 4-3-3 and have Ronaldo the central attacker with Isco and Özil on each flank but they won't do that because it would drop Benzema who is at this point unpredictable with his form. It would be a mistake to try and fit Özil centrally form now on even if it's his best position. He should and needs to learn to adapt to different formations and he actually ahs played wide for Bremen and on occasions there last season for Madrid and wasn't bad at all. It's overstated that he needs to play centrally. Yes, he might thrive there but a few more matches there in the right set up and he can become more flexible which is what we all want. He's more than capable of it. He was very good today.
Diego Perotti scored a great goal. Marko Marin gave him the assist. Marin's dribbling made the space for Perotti to shoot unmarked.
Marko Marin on a bit of a streak of good form, is he? Might never be NT material, but glad to hear he's beginning to salvage his career.
Marko Marin is really running the show in this second half against a strong team like Atletico Madrid. What a player !
Very impressed with Ginczek. Made a great assist today n always so dangerous in front of goal Rare combination of size(6'3.5"), skill, creativity n killer instinct Hope he can stay injury free. The future is bright for this kid
Schieber looked good with Nuernberg 2-3 years ago. He looks rubbish now. Hopefully, Ginczek is not another Schieber.
Fnck, at 1-1 in the 79th min Marin (after all the good play in this match) lost the ball at the halfway and 3-4 seconds later the ball was in the back of Sevilla's net. The Atletico player who took the ball off Marin, passed it to Diego Costa who scored. Sevilla lost the match. Marin had 4-5 great one-twos and he created a fantastic chance for Sevilla's striker who had only the keeper to beat in a great position but choked in the end. Marin also created a great chance for himself by dribbling past 2 players on the left side of the penalty box and making a good diagonal shot that was saved by Courtois. Atletico defended deep in the second half and did nothing offensively up until that counter attack that won them the match. That's football I guess. It's not fair.
As long as he isnt greedy and moves to a bigger club just for money n doesnt play...he will be fine. Needa stay injury free too. He was prone to injury before But in general, good well-rounded skill-set. Can score, can pass, can play physical, can be an aerial threat n good fundamentals n technique
Mhhh I believe Loew job will be very difficult this year to pick the 23 players for the WC. If the WC was this summer it would have been easy, but with so many changes in the clubs we might be surprised who would get picked. I mean does he pick the regular guys , or actually dropping one of them and to take with someone that had a great season. Look at Bayern with all the changes there with PEP. Will badstuber be fit, Schweine in his new role, how will Muller, Goetze and Kroos get through the season. Gomez and Klose in ITaly and will Klose be fit. Our REAL MADRID guys if they don't play regularly and especially not on their favorite positions - Oezil might even move to ManU? Then we have our english players Merte, POLODI and Schurrle , they might have tough times at their clubs to break through and get regular playing times. Draxler is not having a good start this season either. Only the Dortmund players are will have a similar setup as last year. Anyway what I am saying is that many of our players might face a tough season - so do you take them or should Loew look at others that might have a good season in the Bundesliga or even a player like Marin that might blossom at Sevillia - he scored two goals yesterday. Season is still long but it will be really interesting how all these players will do and adapt to their new coaches/teams.