German National Team News & Discussion Thread - Run up to EURO 2012 [R]

What it comes down to is really would we concede less with Mertesacker? The answer is absolutely uncertain and mostly leaning towards no. Considering we don't have much of a defensive plan anyway, it really won't make much of a difference and it paves the way for proper talent to come through.

 

I doubt he'd be out for more than 3 months, no?'

Guess that leaves Hummels and Badstuber.

 

Mertesacker blow for Arsenal

February 17, 2012
By ESPNsoccernet staff

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker appears certain to miss the rest of the season after undergoing ligament surgery.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...esacker-likely-to-miss-rest-of-season?cc=5901

 

Hummels and Boateng for me at CB.

 

I agree with SirManc on this one. At this point of time, only Lahm, Schweini & Neuer are absolutely indispensable. The team has good back ups for all other positions.

Besides, can you remember a tournament where we did not miss a major player due to injury?

In the end, all this always turns out in favour of the team.

Edit:

Players Germany have missed in past tournies
WC2010: Ballack
EC08: Schneider
WC06: Woerns ( nominated as a back up by Klinsi, but called a press conference to hammer him and that resulted in a ban, IIRC)
EC04: Ramelow ( mysteriously retired just 5 days before the tournament)
WC02: Nowotny, Schoell, Deisler
EC2000: Bierhoff ( hurt while training)
WC98: Basler
EC96: Kohler, Maetthaus
EC92: Matthaeus, Riedle (broken arm after 1st game)

 

Is Mertesacker really a player making THE difference between winning and losing in a big tournament like this one ?
Only time will tell but most likely the answer is no.If Germany dont win, it wont be because of him missing. It will be because of Neuer,Ozil,Schweinsteiger,Hummels, Gotze,Klose...... I mean there are so many great players. They are good enough to win. Okay maybe most of them are 2-3 years too young but they are good enough to win.

 

It really depends. Spain are still genuine favorites, Barcelona keep coming up with youngsters as brilliant as ours. Look at Telo, that kid has had very few minutes but already looks like he's a world class player in the making. Same to be said of Cuenca.

I think the Euro is coming far too soon for us, even though we have a great squad. Our defense is pretty young, this in and of itself, is an enormous disadvantage regardless of the potential for greatness.

Everyone has thus far managed to underestimate the importance of Merte. Yes, in a few years, Hummels, Badstuber and Boateng could be better defenders (if Hummels isn't already), but he comes with experience, and younger players like Hummels will look to him for leadership. This was the classic case of Puyol and Pique. Although Pique is very talented, he could do little without the leadership of Puyol.

Without Merte I personally believe our chances have diminished considerably. A young defense, no matter how good, can only challenge at such a level until it is faced with a thoroughly world class team like Holland or Spain. It is one thing to do well in the Bundesliga, and another thing to come up against the very best at a tournament you know little about.

 

It's like we have won anything over the past decade or more. Yes, last WC we actually did well, but to win is another issue. You need a combination of world class players, experience yet enough youth to keep the engine running. This is very reachable for this squad, especially as our top players seem to be competing at the highest level - but we're still too young to win I believe, but talented enough to do well.

 

Loew needs to use these coming games to play our back four full time.

Lahm bads hummels boetang..

They need to establish solidarity and understanding as much as possible before the tournament.

 

Maybe there's too much tennis (where fearless and focused young ingenues are known to cause upsets and win major titles over established champions) in my blood. I'm not concerned. We're winning that trophy in Kiev.

 

Hummels had his 1st really poor match with BvB in 2 years...

 

Schurrle finally scores a goal ........ against the worst team in the league and at home.

 

Hummels got worse as the match progressed but like it was mentioned it was his first in two+ years and it turns out he got injured early on and fought to stay on...

Let's draw major and extreme conclusions from this.

Go!

 

Hummels had apparently fever attacks while playing so this might explain his unusual horrible performance.

 

Herrmann with another great goal. Jogi, are you watching ?

Gladbach's second goal was a beauty - great assist by Reus and an even better finish from Arango.

 

Best left foot in the league. Gladbach are the most entertaining side to watch in Europe. I'm not even kidding.

 

Not out of season, he'll probably be back in April; but there isn't any chance for him to break into Löw's squad in the last few weeks. However, Germany didn't need him anyway; no lack at this position. RW/RAM/SS... well, Reus will probably be on the bench; so I think Herrmann can wait.

 

He would have been called up for the friendly against France according to ZDF.