Pre-match: (EURO 2016 - Round of 16) Germany vs slovakia 06.26.2016 [R]

Discussion in 'Germany: National Teams' started by Lahmfan, Jun 23, 2016.

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Who is not going to win the Euro?

  1. France

    55.0%
  2. Slovakia

    60.0%
  3. Wales

    60.0%
  4. England

    85.0%
  5. Spain

    50.0%
  6. Italy

    55.0%
  7. Portugal

    60.0%
  8. Beligum

    55.0%
  9. Iceland

    55.0%
  10. Poland

    60.0%
  11. Switzerland

    65.0%
  12. Hungary

    60.0%
  13. N. Ireland

    60.0%
  14. Croatia

    55.0%
  15. Ireland

    60.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Ger90

    Ger90 Member+

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Cris 09 repped this.
  2. Lahmfan

    Lahmfan Member+

    Jun 3, 2007
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    EmersonRW, Matakos, Cris 09 and 2 others repped this.
  3. Ger90

    Ger90 Member+

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    he played for us at the WC 06 and Euro 08.:p
     
  4. MatthausSammer

    MatthausSammer Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 9, 2012
    Canada
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Matakos, Dhajj, Liquid1010 and 2 others repped this.
  5. rj123

    rj123 Member

    The team with the most German NT players
    Germany
    Nov 21, 2010
    Winnipeg, MB
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Ger90 repped this.
  6. BMGuy

    BMGuy Member

    Bayern Munich
    Sep 6, 2004
    vietnam
    Not sure why we would use Schweinsteiger, why change the wining formation ? Schweinsteiger doesnt add anything to the team, just slow down the pace and that's Italy would love to have. Against strong defense team, Germany need good technical players, and killer passers.
     
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  7. Obsidian

    Obsidian Member

    Apr 22, 2012
    near Munich
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Exactly. Why go all defensive against Italy? We should beat them with our weapons, not with theirs. We should try to break them down by running their defense all guns blazin´
     
    Dhajj repped this.
  8. White/Blue_since1860

    Orange14 is gay
    Jan 4, 2007
    Bum zua City
    Club:
    TSV 1860 München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Weve tried it and couldnt beat them in 8 competitive games. Own weapons my ass
     
  9. Obsidian

    Obsidian Member

    Apr 22, 2012
    near Munich
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    The last time I´ve checked, we tried to beat them with Kroos as Pirlo-pivot and an rather defensive setup. The biggest concern I have, is our Coach to shit himself again in the aura of the mighty Italian team. If we go in there with loads of convidence, which we should have, I am sure we knock these Azzuri boys out.
     
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  10. Liquid1010

    Liquid1010 Member+

    Sep 5, 2009
    Canada
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    If I recall correctly, when we lost to Italy last Euros, Loew mistakenly tried to play Kroos in a winger role and use him to close down and control Pirlo. It was a mistake.

    We need to play to our strengths - we are the better team.

    "Italy can't beat you, but you can lose to them" -JC-
     
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  11. Dhajj

    Dhajj Member+

    Nov 25, 2010
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Plus poldi and another right?

    I thought he subbed in Reus and Klose at half, not sure who the other subbed out was.

    But this is what I'm talking about NO MORE REACTING... Just play our ducking game
     
  12. Ger90

    Ger90 Member+

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    this was the Euro 2012 lineup
    [​IMG]

    Muller on the bench and Kroos at his spot with Podolski at the left. In defence Boateng was RB and Lahm was LB and Badstuber was in central.

    LOL, the 3 man Italian defense at this Euro,Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini also played that game.
     
    Liquid1010 repped this.
  13. Dhajj

    Dhajj Member+

    Nov 25, 2010
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    What a disgrace of a lineup....


    Kroos in Muller spot and poldi in Reus spot and Gomez for Klose...

    If he pulls this kind of bullshit again he needs to be fired immediately
     
    Minttunator and Ger90 repped this.
  14. Lahmfan

    Lahmfan Member+

    Jun 3, 2007
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Wasn't Muller suspended ? Or was he on the bench?

    And wow that formation. Have me a headache just looking at it
     
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  15. Ger90

    Ger90 Member+

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Muller was suspended against Spain WC 10 not Euro 12 he came on as a sub in the 70th minute. But yep horrible lineup from us.
     
    Lahmfan repped this.
  16. Lahmfan

    Lahmfan Member+

    Jun 3, 2007
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Oh yeah .. I still remember that bs call that got him suspended.
    I have zero doubt that we won't crush italy this time.
     
    Ger90 repped this.
  17. Dhajj

    Dhajj Member+

    Nov 25, 2010
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Does anyone see a pattern here?

    Muller in KO match = win
    Muller out of KO match = lose
     
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  18. Liquid1010

    Liquid1010 Member+

    Sep 5, 2009
    Canada
    Club:
    Borussia Dortmund
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    I was just thinking the same thing. I remember seeing that line-up being posted before the game and just cringing......
     
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  19. Ger90

    Ger90 Member+

    May 13, 2016
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    first time Muller played a semi from the 11 we actually won the cup, the 2 other times he did not.

    I think the most embarrassing thing about the Euro 12 vs Italy was that Balotelli scored twice against us and won the game for them. The only time he played well in his life with Italy was in that game against us. And has been pretty poor the last few years too.
     
    Dhajj repped this.
  20. Dhajj

    Dhajj Member+

    Nov 25, 2010
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    I actually thought it was a joke a I kept waiting to see the real lineup...

    I'll never forget the shock of that disaster
     
    Minttunator, Ger90 and MatthausSammer repped this.
  21. BorisG

    BorisG Member+

    Sep 30, 2009
    Namibia
    Club:
    FC Nürnberg
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    After failing to convert their chances against Northern Ireland, we saw a much more clinical performance from Germany as they eased passed Slovakia in the first knockout game with a dominant performance.

    [​IMG]
    The starting formations.

    Coming off of a shaky yet important draw against England, Slovakia opted for a 4-1-4-1 shape once again despite personnel changes across the team. In the defensive line, Gyomber made an appearance at right-back in place of Hubocan whilst the midfield also saw a reshuffle. Skriniar took on the 6 position ahead of Pecovksy and Kucka moved out to the right whilst Hrosovsky took on his right-8 position. In the lone strikers’ position, Duric replaced Duda in leading the counter-attack.

    In the German dugout, Löw made just one change to the starting eleven as Mario Götze was replaced by Julian Draxler who went on to make a strong performance in the attacking midfield.

    Half-Space Liberi
    [​IMG]
    Germany’s build-up with Kroos playmaking in the left half-space.

    Germany enforced their dominance early in the game and looked particularly impressive in the construction phase of their possession. With a base of Hummels, Boateng, Kroos and Khedira they had great playmakers in the first and second lines of players who circulated the ball well against an open Slovakian press. Boateng and Kroos were particularly expansive in their orientation and operated in the right and left half-spaces respectively from which they could move upwards and join the midfield situationally. The Kroos – Hummels – Boateng three-chain covered the width of the pitch effectively whilst the full-backs had the freedom to occupy advanced positions in order to stretch the opposition higher. The structure gave them strong control over the deeper spaces of the pitch and the efficient distances between players made horizontal ball circulation sharp and effective.

    Against Slovakia’s 4-1-4-1, the pairing found space quite frequently within their half-spaces as Kroos in particular created room for himself with intelligent movements into such deeper positions. The half-space provided a suitable position which was just out of the reach of Duris whilst the ball-near central midfielder and winger struggled to establish access. Although Hamsik would sometimes step up to create a 4-4-1-1 shape, the pressure was generally non-existent against some of the best passers in the world. From these areas they could both dictate the start of Germany’s possessions well against Slovakia’s press and form an important foundation for the attacks in the final third. The deep positions within the half-spaces provided strong angles to break the midfield line with options vertically as well as in both directions diagonally.

    In alternative moments, the playmaking responsibility fell upon the adept shoulders of Mats Hummels as Kroos took a more orthodox position on the inside. With all Slovakian players behind the ball, the newly-signed Bayern centre-back had more freedom to push outwards even without a teammate covering. Similarly to Kroos, Hummels had ample space and time with which he could find openings in order to use his excellent capacity to distribute the ball.

    [​IMG]
    Hummels also had the opportunity to display his playmaking from the left half-space.

    They were able to play a number of direct passes straight into the open gaps in midfield as Slovakia’s failed press was unable to enforce any true pressure. Draxler and Özil were able to occupy the vacant holes within the opposition’s defence and the passing ability of Germany’s deeper players made access relatively simple.

    Typically-Dominant First Half
    [​IMG]
    Germany’s passing network, from @11tegen11.

    Germany’s excellence in the early stages of possession translated smoothly into an all-round strong showing against the team who were the last to beat them 4 weeks prior. The attacking midfield three were typically flexible with Draxler and Müller having particularly dynamic roles within the attack. Both Kimmich and Hector were stretching the Slovakian defence from extremely high positions which at times lead to a rough 2-2-5-1 formation.

    Once again Löw’s team dominated possession of the ball yet unlike other top teams in this tournament, they were able to use the ball to good effect in creating chances within the final third. The circulation was dynamic and they were able to penetrate variable zones on the pitch whilst maintaining security in deeper positions against a Slovakian counter which had tested other teams. Their use of the ball as a tool sets them aside from other teams who have been unable to properly penetrate deep defences with the offensive movement of Müller and Gomez an influential factor.

    As shown by the graphic to the left, German occupied a position very high up the pitch and were able to gain a territorial advantage over their opponents. Through an intelligent positional game and fluid ball movement, they not only had the ball for long periods but controlled the game with the use of it. Slovakia were pinned back for considerable spells as they hoped to hit them on the break.

    Another important factor in Germany’s match-control was their ability to regain the ball quickly upon losing it. Although their pressing had some flaws (as I will come to explain later), they were able to quickly put the Slovakians under pressure upon a turnover and their counterpressing allowed them to regain the ball on a number of occasions. With a strong shape initially, they were often in a good position to began an immediate counterpress and they forced a number of clearances from the opposition which landed at the feet of the centre-backs, who anticipated well.

    [​IMG]
    Germany recovered the ball high up the pitch, courtesy of @11tegen11

    Weak Slovakian Defence
    Whilst they only just hung on at times against England, Slovakia were opened up on an even more frequent basis when faced with the World Champions’ attack. It was interesting to see the Eastern European side attempt to enforce a high press similar to their performance against the Brits, yet this strategy gave little profit due to its uncoordinated nature. Whilst it generally struggled against the likes of Cahill and Smalling, it was unsurprisingly carved open by Hummels and Boateng. They were frequently uncompact when trying to take up such advanced positions and their inability to maintain defensive access made them susceptible to Germany’s excellent build-up.

    [​IMG]
    An example of opening up an uncompact Slovakian press in the opening minutes of the match.

    [​IMG]
    Slovakia’s defensive line was commonly added-to by the falling back of the wingers.

    Upon dropping back into a deeper position, Slovakia held a 4-1-4-1 shape which could often become a 5-1-3-1 or even a 6-1-2-1 due to the orientation of the two wide men. Both Weiss and Kucka would commonly drop to the side of their full-back as they tracked the movements of Kimmich and Hector respectively. This only served to weaken Slovakia’s coverage of the midfield spaces and it allowed the opposition to further enforce their control over the ball in such high positions.

    From this 4-1-4-1, Hamsik took on slightly higher positions at times and occupied a line slightly higher than the rest of his midfielders. Against England, the star midfielder moved all the way to the striker’s line in order to support the press in a 4-4-2 and although he didn’t reach these heights against Germany, he was more active in his attempts to press from midfield. He not only could theoretically support Duris in the pressure but it would also allow for better coverage of the spaces in front of the midfield.

    As for their play in possession, they once again looked to focus on creating chances in transitions. Weiss drove the ball forward in a few left-sided counter-attacks but for the most part they were ineffective. Germany’s superior structure and counterpressing abilities allowed them to better quash out many Slovakian attempts at breaking forward at pace. They had some isolated moments of success in sustained position by using fast combinations to beat the man-oriented pressing of Germany through way of dynamic superiority. By quickly combining between players, the German defenders couldn’t anticipate and cover the actions fast enough which lead to Slovakia breaking through the midfield on a couple of scenes.

    The idea of defending with the man as the primary (and often, only) reference point is a flawed one. This is not least because the defender has to anticipate the attacker’s movements and this reaction time can be key for the attacker to get a head start (because obviously, he knows what he will do next – unless he happens to be Nani). The speed of Slovakia’s combination helped to undo German’s man-oriented press because they were able to pass the ball between themselves before the opposition could properly react and defend the action accordingly.

    Yet despite these small moments of success, Slovakia were for the most part restricted by an impressive German defence. Slovakia’s technical inferiority was on show when closed down by Germany’s front line and Löw’s team were able to regain the ball in dangerous positions.

    Slovakia Restart on Top
    With Germany 2-0 up at the break, Slovakia had to re-think their plan in order to try and have some hope at miraculously turning the game around. A substitution was made as the teams reappeared with Vladimir Weiss making way for Jan Gresus. The introduced player fitted into the defensive midfield position whilst Hamsik now occupied a more advanced position on the left of the attack. With this change, the team appeared to play in a different shape and looked to be mainly a 4-3-2-1 whilst in some situations a 4-4-2 with Hamsik’s role higher up.

    The change seemed to have worked as the underdogs improved considerably at the start of the second 45. Their attack carried more threat as they occupied a position higher up the pitch with Duris receiving better support from his fellow attackers. Their more offensive approach to the game gave them a threat which was completely missing in the first half and although their attacks weren’t always clean, they moved the ball more vertically and with better momentum and synergy. Combinations were more composed and used to greater effect as a means of avoiding German pressure whilst players higher up the pitch were able to find gaps more against Germany’s uncoordinated man-oriented defence.

    On the other hand, Germany looked less of the team which had played so well in the first half. They struggled to keep control over ball possession for as long spells whilst Slovakia’s fast start took them somewhat by surprise. Their counterpressing was much less influential and they instead allowed Slovakia to establish better developed attacks. Although counter-attacking showed some promise, their opponents had a much better share of the attacks in comparison to the first half, whilst at times individual players showed slight panic with poor decision making.

    It took until the 61st minute for Germany to settle down with a sustained and more calmed period of ball possession and from the resulting corner of that play, Draxler killed off Slovakia’s hopes by adding a third. Despite another setback, Slovakia still showed signs of superiority and it took until around the 70th minute for Germany to reinstate their dominance on the pitch. With the game settled, Jogi Löw decided to have his own personal fun and gave yet another cap to both Podolski and Schweinsteiger. Julian Weigl watched on from the bench.

    Conclusion
    Germany put in another strong performance in the first knockout round but combined it with a clinical nature which has been lacking previously. They undoubtedly deserved to progress at Slovakia’s cost as the Eastern European team failed to impress past a 20 minute period at the start of the 2nd half.

    Article from Spielverlagerung....... It wont be that easy against Italy
     

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