Steffiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Points (Road to WWC 2019)[R]

This is the main reason why I continue to suggest Pawollek a far better WC choice, seeing how she can play DM/CM/CB; 3 positions this team really needs more options.

But like you also noticed, Lattwein's impressive debut saw her feature in a more specialized CAM role. A position the senior team already has Marozsan, Däbritz, Dallmann, Magull, all capable of sharing between themselves.

I mean I like the way Lattwein plays smart one and two touch football, but why is she coming into the squad as a young unknown factor now, when Germany's juniors just featured in a WC and a Euro finals without her...?

Stupidly mixing their best players and one head coach between two teams, Lattwein wasn't part of either tournament lol.

 

Ebert, Schmidt, Lohmann, were the 3 most impressive players for the U-19's, and now Gwinn, Hechler, have been promoted from the U-20's. But if the junior teams were being run with a closer proximity to the seniors, I can't help but feel like the senior coaches would have a far easier time rebuilding a WC squad right now.

LOL, you probably need to watch the match before saying any of this, because you honestly couldn't be more wrong about the performances of Bonesera, or Maier.

 

Bonesera did score as she beat Doorsuun 1v1, beat her again, but got tripped up what could of been a point blank, for sure goal. Otherwise obviously doesn't have the top quality teammates to impress more. Maier came in as a sub for Gwinn at left mid, took advantage of the nice Peterman pass, late in the game. Both players took advantage of the weak side defending, Maier got another advantage cause by that time the Italians looked exhausted(they only (subbed 2-3 times) & to her credit, was at the right time at the right place(I've never put her down for that, but only for her horrible defending), Remember,even though she too was only a sub with less then 30 min. of playing time. this was Petermann's best NT game ever, but it came against a 2nd/3rd tier team.

Must say; this was about the funnest game in years. Got to thank Italy for at least coming out & wanting to play(rather than bunker like so many previous opponents). The Italians wanted to take control of the middle through possession, kinda odd since that always been the Germans specialty/ But it gave the Germans finally a chance to counter attack. Here it would of been nice to see the more faster Huth & Schuller, but as GE took charge in the 2nd half, you could see Popp as a more, stronger presence in the penalty box,

don't understand your constant criticism of Leupolz?; the score was 2-2 when she came in at the start of the 2nd half. and if you checked on previous games,, 1-0 ahead vs Canada(before she got subbed out) 2-0 vs Iceland(playing the entire 90 min.) In other words, when she's in there, the opponent doesn't score, that's why they call her spot a DEFENSIVE mid! Guess you prefer it to be another smooth/fancy attacking player, but that's why you got another in Magull(if playing with 2 DM's). The other needs to be a stronger defender. In this case, Dabritz might of scored a goal, but giving up two goals in one half just shouldn't be acceptable.

Elsig looked good at times, especially since so much was asked for as she was sorta quarterbacking the team as well. But surprised that her long balls weren't high/ or kept low. which was occasionally picked off. Also needed to of marked way better on the 2nd Italian goal. So don't know if she'll start again vs Spain.

Thanks again to Horst for such a more swifter, free flowing team,, as well as bringing so many new players so well into the system. but I'm afraid, just one more time!

 

You surely mean Bonansea...

Anyway, yes, her goal was very good, as it was Guagni's long drive for the assist.

I guess this change of mentality was one of the most important things new coach Milena Bertolini brought to the team. Now, even when Italy has to play vs the best teams in the world, they want to play the game and feel like they can challenge them. They can end badly losing, like this time, but they always put up a fight and don't just defend while aiming to damage limitation.

This is a so different approach from previous coach Cabrini. Yes, they could get some impressing results from time to time, like the win vs Sweden at Euro 2017, but I'd say it was mostly due to the players than to the coach: his players' selection was quite questionable (as the actual line-ups he was deploying were) and he basically had a mostly defensive mindset vs stronger teams (maybe due to the fact that he was a defender himself, when he was a player? After all, when he won the World Cup in 1982, defense had been one of the keys, with Juventus' back-line of Zoff, Gentile, Cabrini, Scirea...).

Under Cabrini, Italy could showcase the occasional big upset, but in general the results were disappointing (losing the play-off to WWC 2015 vs Netherlands, leaving Euro 2017 at group stage already...). Now, under Bertolini, Italy always plays an open game and plays it right: can win or lose, but they're always trying.
I'll go out on a limb and say that, should they get something different from a "group of death" next year in France, they could go well beyond group stage, this time (so, of course, they'll get something along the lines of USA, Australia and Nigeria! ).

 

@hotjam2 I often suspect you never reading my posts, and wow... your latest reply really doesn't help dispel any of this lol.

Sooooo, first we'll talk about your points on Bonansea, and both of Italy's goals. As their first goal was actually thanks to their team correctly exploiting the poor positional defending from both German FB's, during a full 1st half the German mid-field also lacked a real CM presence in front of it's back 4.

Meaning if you actually watch how Bonansea gets through 1v1, you'll notice it's from her making a run in front of Rall, and behind Doorsoun, a CB who's unable to identity what's happening until it's too late, thanks to her FB not being where she should be, and a CM, not marking 3 offensive players in front of her.

Again, this only highlighting more of the key issues I've maintained constantly on show with Hrubesch's team selections, as he remains unwilling to start a settled back 4, or a tactically intelligent permanent use of a dedicated DM.

 

@hotjam2 And whenever you end up talking about Maier's supposed athletic weakness, why do you continue to ignore how much worse this teams defense will generally look without both her, and Simon/Schweers starting..?

As it was constantly evident during the 1st half that neither FB could understand how to position themselves correctly, leading to some really careless losses of possession, and eventually both of Italy's goals.

See, even the best defenders will get beat from time to time, but until options like Hechler, Siems, or somebody else become senior team regulars, I'm not seeing how Maier (who was incredibly effective in her short cameo) can't regain her true effectiveness within a more cohesive team, featuring a competent back 4.

 

@hotjam2 Plus in a match that wasn't even decided by individuals athleticism/speed, I have to question why you still neglect any understanding of my points concerning this teams need for a real selection of CM's, including the use of a dedicated DM; an argument I've long maintained in here...

With me openly holding doubts over Leupolz's quality as a DM, as I feel more credible options like Hendrich, or Pawollek, already exist. Even highlighting this exact viewpoint in my post match analysis vs Italy, by saying this team merely having presence of Leupolz in the DM role made a significantly positive impact on the nature of the 2nd half display.

Since the final run of Neid, and the failed experiment that was Jones, I been saying this team needs a REAL CM presence. Constantly criticizing the use of Marozsan, Däbritz in DM roles, as they end up becoming poor imitations of themselves, and what this team truly requires in that particular area of the field.

So I struggle to identify ANY time I've suggest "another smooth/fancy attacking player" being in the CM/DM role, when I know I only speak about tactical cohesiveness and improved balance, while you push some weird narrative of whoever's got the most athletic traits is the best.

 

Why were they able to progress towards a "swifter, free flowing team"...? Could it be starting players in roles they understand, and the improved Passing and movement that comes because of it...

With this so called "System" you talk about still being a complete mess during the first half, allowing Italy just like past opponents to exploit the most obvious positional flaws, because German coaches still seem incapable of starting formations that will benefit the new types of talent at their disposal.

I mean just look at Lattwein's debut as a CAM within the senior team... and then think why she wasn't selected for either U-19/20 teams at their respective tournament finals...

The current senior team having access to Marozsan, Däbritz, Dallmann, Magull, as pretty high quality dedicated CAM options. But for the first time in a long time deciding to use a dedicated CAM vs Italy, so an unheralded Lattwein can make her full debut... lol, this programs broken.

 

Hotjam2, your contribution these days... When did you become such a Leo hater? I've said that she's been rather average for the NT for a while, but she's been really strong for Bayern this season. With her, I fully trust a FB knowing where to position herself. She tracks back and I rarely see chances being created by the opposition due to her not tracking back or her positioning. And we can talk about how her defensive skills these days are - I'd say they are on the average as a FB. Her problem is that her speed is rather medium

I mean she scored a goal and should've had an assist as well in the 20 minutes she got. Her on the bench is not a sign that she's being dropped lol as Hrubesch is trying new players for the WC. I'm pretty sure she'll be in the squad, not sure whether she starts but she should have a good chance.

The only players I can see starting 100% are Schult, Däbritz, Popp and Marozsan

 

Well I agree that Pawollek looked good against Bayern and she should get a call-up as well to try herself. But we have Gössling and Kemme soon to return to the NT probably when they get fit, and Kemme is a good asset in midfield when fit and we all know what Gössling's capable of doing

 

hotjam2 is just really obsessed with the themes of individual athleticism, and how this can potentially effect various teams focused around more direct and individualistic (in his words meaning exciting) styles of play.

But hotjam2 also conveniently forgets there's more than pure athleticism involved in a lot of nations producing strong soccer players, ignoring what happened when Germany selected more impressive athletes like Blässe and Kerschowski as starting FB's, only to see them get relentlessly exposed both offensively, and defensively, versus various opponents on route to this team hitting new ridiculous lows.

So I can also understand why people might find issues with Maier always needing to join the attack, potentially exposing her side of the field to counter attacking opportunities she can't recover by using her own speed.

However, it's only fair any of her current detractors also acknowledge how she's one of the teams few players who can create for others, score a top corner golazo's, in matches she'll still be able to contribute on her team as a FB with impressive defensive awareness.

 

... I have a really difficult time believing in Goeßling's ability to return and stay healthy, making a genuinely positive contribution on this team during a major tournament.

And does anybody really believe Kemme a DM now...? I mean should Kemme actually return in time for a WC place, I feel she'll be competing with Magull, or potentially even Huth, no?

Plus looking the way Germany's wasted their youth success, I think it might be smarter to start looking beyond Goeßling now, taking a hint from rivals who've built far more impressive teams on a small fraction of the success Germany have obtained within the same time frame.

Meaning if Goeßling's going to spend most of her season injured, or sat on the bench for her club, I feel it's only right to see the national team move on with new options like Leupolz, Hendrich, Pawollek, Fellhauer, Ebert. Oh... but MVT is next in line...

 

So Hendrich is in the starting eleven... but as a defensive midfielder??

 

Kemme was subbed on for Arsenal last week so she’s on her way back, definitely. I can’t imagine her out wide tbh, but I do genuinely believe she could be an asset in Germany’s midfield

Gössling’s a regular for Wolfsburg when fit so she’ll be in the WC squad then

 

what's the starting lineup & any game links?

btw............scouting Spain, they're very possession oriented, I do feel they can be top 10, but they do need a world class striker(which currently have not). My fav player of theirs is Patricia Gjudarro. But she's only 20 years old(don't even know if their going to start her). She's mid/playmaker, so be interesting how well she can battle with some of Germany's best.

 

can't find a link to the game but I hope this might answer your question
Germany vs. Spain - 13 November 2018 - Women Soccerway

 

https://www.firstonetv.net/Live/Germany/ZDF-2

Not a very good first half really

 

0-0 in a rather 50/50 game
Merle Frohms player of the game

 

They were set up to fail, and that's exactly what they did.... FAIL.

In my opinion, themes of truly abysmal leadership seem to be at the very core of this program, with every match the wnt plays providing a glimpse into the amateurish attitudes that maintains in it's player analysis, continuously demonstrating the consequences of coaches tactical ineptitude

So I'll watch the full game later to break down how bad this was, but I immediately knew from seeing the starting 11 that it was likely to produce another poor team display; with surely the only positive probably being the final revelation of how fraudulent the idea of Hrubesch taking this team back to anything resembling a potential tournament winner truly is, and was.

 

Oh, and I guess Neid's fine work as opposition scout goes on gloriously unnoticed lol.... 4-4-2 vs SPAIN, with Magull and Däbritz in CM...


These geniuses continue developing wnt's around such amazing technical reports, and you hear this here first.... Germany won't get out of the group stage of the WC...

 

Doorsoun has some wicked lethal passes...

 

The players love Horst, rightly so, he's a really great coach and a legend in German football. Poor Peter, I don't have the feeling that anyone of her teamies likes her

 

Neid? I though this game reminded me more of Stefi Jones, lol. I mean there was simply no wide attack & no spacing, as they were bumping into each all game long, Guess Horst abandoned his diamond mid with the clearly defined AM & DM, as I couldn't tell which was which, Magull or Dabritz? and then why on earth didn't Horst sub more more players? but only brought in the two with the least experience(Rall & Letwein)
Worst was the defense though, not the individual players, but setting up with Elsig & the FB's playing a little higher, Doorsoun reminded of the good ole days of the sweeper role(which don't really work anymore in the modern era), thus with no straight back line, was able to get it's players consistently behind Germany's backs.

as I've mentioned before, Spain is very underrated(actually, unbeaten in over an year). their about the most possession team out there. their just missing a world class striker/finisher like Le Sommer/Kirby/Press/Kerr/Pajor. Their coach is knida of odd as he don't believe in any players over 27 year old, so pretty decent vets like Bermudez & Vero have been discarded from the NT/
To combat the Spain's disciplined passing, Germany really needs to work on it's high press(which looked feeble at best) and of course keep a straight back line. Apparently Horst didn't bother scouting them, so guess his NT career ends in a wimper, rather then a bang.

Only good part is that so many of Germany's best players weren't on the field; Maro, Dallmann, Huth, Schuller, Schweers, Leupolz, Schulte, Demann, Kemme . Probably would of made a difference, but then as Jones proved at last year's Euros, there's no real substitute for poor coaching!

 

Which is why I mentioned Silvia Neid's role in all of this, as this is supposed to be her role now, having given herself some self imposed title of senior team opposition scout...

Hrubesch isn't meant to be the person providing technical reports concerning the senior teams various opponents to the rest of the coaching staff, yet the senior team never sets it's self with a clear strategy to contain, or exploit, the strengths and weakness of any wnt they face.

For the short term stability of the wnt program, the DFB really need reconsider it's women only stance on who they recruit for the development of it's female athletes.

The program needs new blood, new thinking, and if they don't have enough women, they should be honest and do what's best for everybody before it's too late to repair.