Pre-match: (EURO 2012 - Group Stage - Match 3) Denmark vs. Germany 06.17.2012 [R]

We no longer go to Berlin's fan zone. Went there the last time in '06 or '08. Too much of a hassle. Despite living in walking-distance. We prefer going to beach-bars, beergardens or - on occasion - watching at home. Lots of public viewing options here in the capital.

I do hope though that the NT will make an appearance before the Brandenburg Gate this time over. Cuz if they do, they'll have a trophy in tow.

 

That had less to do with Klose's presence and more to do with the Danes going all out for a winning goal. They left their back four terribly exposed and Oezil made a poor pass intended for Klose that with luck reached Bender instead. Oezil didn't cause "all kinds of trouble" in any match so far. He has mostly been involved in loosing 1v1 duels and then turning to the ref and bitching. Its getting quite tiresome and I don't like his attitude or effort 1 bit. He is reminding me more and more of CR7.

This.

 

Bendtner is top class when he playes for Denmark... he is only 24 and has alredy won 51 caps and scored 20 goals for Denmark.. to compare a little, then former European Footballer of the Year Allan Simonsen won 55 caps for Denmark scoring 20 goals, Ebbe Sand 66 caps and 22 goals.
.

 

Yeah. The guy was totally and utterly drained.

 

Even before they started doing that, once Schuerrle came on his run prompted a great pass from Oezil.

I don't know what you're on about, but Oezil needs players to run infront of him and find openings, rather than side by the side like Podolski or wait for a cross like Gomez, pure and simple.

Oezils work rate is very commendable, his fitness has definitely gone up and I for one have no complaints about it. At his best? No, and the fact that Schweini had to step up in the Holland game shows it, but he is still capable of producing his best if those around him knew what he demanded as a player.

 

Gomez has made a lot of smart runs in this tournament. I'm not sure what you are seeing, but he certainly isn't standing in the box waiting for crosses. Its a testament to his goal threat that he is constantly double and triple teamed.

 

He did make those runs vs. the Netherlands but against Portugal and Denmark he struggled, and thats understandable considering how those teams set up.

 

The game against Portugal was definitely poor (no-one was really moving on offense), but I thought he was very good against Denmark. He moved well, passed well, tracked back a lot. The only thing he didn't do against the Danes was score.

With Gomez there is a trade off, slightly less fluency, for a significantly bigger goal threat that demands multiple defenders.

 

Oh I think his defensive work has been outstanding, no question about his workrate to me. Agree, definitely a compromise with him in the line up but it is what it is, we've watched him for years, we know what kind of player he is. It's no surprise.

 

As long as he keeps scoring goals, then we can't complain too much about his link-up play. If he had the link-up play of Klose, Gomez would be amongst the best strikers of all time.

 

Well no striker in the world has such huge conversion rate in addition to link up play. Its like saying If Ozil combines the football intelligence and movement to the athleticism and Stamina of Ronaldo or Rooney.... he would be better than Maradona..

 

If x player had all the world class attributes that he doesn't already have, he'd be an even better player

Honestly though this Denmark match shows our team's weakness against motivated, defensive squads of lesser reputations. If they can avoid conceding in the first half, our chances of gaining control decrease pretty quickly. Hope Jogi takes heed vs Greece.

 

We got the early goal against Denmark, but mucked up on defending the set-piece. If we can get an similar early lead against Greece, we'll have to watch them on free-kicks and corners, at which they are are pretty decent - like most teams of that type that have little original creativity.

That said, their best set-piece exponent Karagounis is not going to be there.

 

Thierry Henry and Samuel Etoo and the Brazilian Ronaldo

 

You realise Henry was one of the biggest finals chokers in the history of the game? Can you remember a huge final which Henry delivered? 2000 UEFA cup final, 2000 EM final, FA cup 2001 final vs Liverpool, 2006 CL final v Barca, 2006 WM final?

Etoo is a player I love and delivers on big occasions but he has 27 goals in 69 CL games. Thats not a great scoring record to rely on in a campaign for a striker. For example Gomez has 24 goals in 37 CL games

Ronaldo is one of the best strikers of all time. How many times in history can we get that in a lifetime.

 

I like what Neuer did there. He is very assured on the ball (it is said that he has the skills to play professionally as an outfield player) and has nerves of steel, so the risk of losing possession was very small, and was outweighed by the benefits: lifting the mood of the other German players, injecting some spirit into a team that was flagging a bit, setting an example to be more adventurous, self-assured and innovative.
And his pass after after one of his forays was excellent. If a German player (Khedira?) had not panicked and fouled a Danish player it would have been a great goal scoring opportunity. Such panicky reactions are a sign of mental weakness. His fear that Germany could lose possession and that Denmark could lob the ball over the exposed Neuer was so great that it blinded him to the opportunity in attack.

 

Lahmfan
By coming out of his goal, Neuer prevented an excellent chance. The Italian striker would have been through with only one German player near, but slightly behind, him (who only caught up with him because the Italian slowed down when he saw Neuer coming out).
Neuer took a deliberate small risk to prevent a greater risk. Italy only scored because the ball fell right at the feet of an Italian player, and this player was Stankovic who had to score a "play of the season" type goal to overcome Neuer, who only one or two seconds later would have been back in goal.

 

Kal-El, son of Jor-El....kneel to General Zod!!!

 

MvB Retires from INTL Footy. Respect to him.


(I only mentioned here because of the above pic)

 

He didn't screw up there. Without his header it would have been an easy goal. Taking those chances means a lot of easy 1v1 vs keeper that generally go in don't even happen due to Neuer actually having balls to do something most keepers wouldn't even think about. If he can cut off the few big blunders he made last season, he can become better than Kahn.

 

Rep´d. Always liked Mark, and especially the type of player he is. Great personality.

 

Think its unfair to criticize Neuer for that, its just simply part of the game and allows the team to do the things they do. It's one of the best attributes he has.

 

Neuer is a high risk high reward type of keeper. I don't think the criticism is justified at all.