Were losing 2-1 I think someone posted the lineup I would love to see.. I wonder if they'll post it again
Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe back from injuries. Played their first game and Ronaldo did impress. Ireland are good team. 0-0 against Italy last week We gonna play possession football or more direct? I am lost
I think Portugal will score at least 1 with their crybaby (Can't wait to see him crying again during World Cup). Not sure how Germany is going to play, I think with Löw it's a more direct but also variable style, so Portugal might will have possession as well. :/
Aside from containing Ronaldo, Özil has huge role in dealing with Carvalho in this match. Also whoever plays upfront, getting better of Alves who is terribly when turned is key.
I'm inclined to agree only if he does on the left and interchanges with Götze. Either way, unlike most teams, Portugal has stayed the same and are maybe most predictable team in terms of how they play. Carvalho is only change. Their left flank still one of the best if not best in tournament and midfield battle will be highly technical as they are better in that area but way they play, predictable. My question is, how will they try to play us? They can sit and keep ball, make us chase or they can counter furiously like against Sweden. They are more effective in latter and capable of both (Spain in Euros for possession for instance - superb display) but against us, knowing their high line could be punished could opt to just play it safe.
I expect a similar matchup to EURO 2012 here. A physical slugfest with only a couple chances created and both teams being cautious and conservative.
I agree, not much has changed between the 2 teams except Germany has fewer options at striker. It took an amazing header from Gomez to beat them last time. Don't see anybody in the false 9 finishing in the box like that. I could see the match ending in a goalless draw.
Portugal had some decent coutners and attacks one of which very late in the game Varela must have scored. Could have been a draw as well. I think Neuer saved but I also remember Lahm(as leftback) funnily threw himself head forward into the shot.
I think Loew may play Mueller up top with Goetze and Podolski interchanging. Podolski is still the best finisher in the game Giving us some flexibility to play both direct and possession
This worked great for Bayern for a while. Took the easy win to the repair shop, so it should last us all World Cup. Easy win.
In all of our previous encounters with Portugal Lahm marked Ronaldo out of the game. I wonder what kind of trouble he is going to cause us now that he will be up against Boateng instead.
I think in that particular game Boateng(RB) marked Ronaldo. Already caused trouble back then: http://www.myvideo.de/watch/8616812/EM_2012_Deutschland_Portugal_1_0_Tore_Highlights