PBP: (EURO 2012 - Group Stage - Match 2) Holland v. Germany 06.13.2012 [R]

We have a real deep and top class bench, I hope loew uses them throughout the tournament and adjusts lineups according to opponent.

There shouldn't be a reason not to anymore..

 

I am not optimistic about this match. If we play anything like we did against Portugal, then it could get ugly. I'm surprised that so many posters are giving Poldi, Mueller, and especially Oezil a free pass. They were just awful on Saturday. I would love to see Reus start on the left side of the midfield.

 

Oh come on, this is the game against the biggest rival. Let's be a bit more lowbrow.

 

Podolski to give way to Schürrle or Reus, though if Klose starts it might be an idea to start with Poldi and sub him out if things don't work out. Poldi does work well alongside Miro, who in turn provides the "glue" for Özil - which will also bring Müller more into the game.

The Dutch will have to chase this one, and as others have said this will only help to open up their already weak defence. I know we cannot read to much from a friendly, but the Dutch defence will be little different from that fielded in November and we really did tear chunks out of them.

As for the third game, there should be no room for experimentation should it end up making the difference between first and second place. A quarter-final against Poland, the Czechs or Greece would be far better than one against Russia, who are likely to top that group.

Should Germany then reach the final, I think we'll meet the Russians there.

 

How does one sit Gomez after he got the game winner against Portugal? Won't happen.
Russia vs Germany would be a incredible final, especially in a home with a German husband and Russian wife

 

On paper, the Dutch don't really present that much problem for Germany. The biggest problem with the Dutch is their lack of pace in attack, they will not catch Germany out. Also, if they play 2 DM's (as against Denmark) there is just no creativity and will not play unpredictably by switching attack wing to wing. Robben has been more of a problem than an asset for his teams recently. Dutch Fullbacks don't seem to have a lot of pace. Even if they start with Van der Vaart, our 2 DM's (one each for VdV and Sneijder) should still keep them contained. The only Holland threat is from set pieces (freekicks and corners). Sneijder/Robben/Hunteelar can all score from direct freekicks, and the German NT (like Bayern) just can not defend corners. Therefore is important for players to keep from fouling unnessarily. On the other token, Germany have the pace to trouble a clumsy Dutch backline. The trio of Ozil, Muller, and Gomez are perfectly suited for counterattack and I think it's probably wiser to take out Poldi for someone who is better at delivering the final ball (especially if he can't find his shooting boots).

Tactically I think for much of the tournament, Loew will keep going with the more conservative "old" Germany lineup, namely a lineup with Poldi and Muller (the faux wingers) because they are better defensively. Only when we get behind will we see Gotze, Schurrle and Reus to tip the balance toward more offense, which makes the assertion that this tournament will beckon the era of "New Germany" a true misnomer.

 

"Mario, you did great but I have to get Miro some playing time to get him back into shape. I'd rather put him in to start and pull him as soon as he looks tired than have to pull you just when the defense is getting tired. We'll let him wear those guys out for you and then put you in to get a couple. You've been great."

 

Some peoples bias is just mindboggling atimes. I cant believe some of the excuses Poldi should be left in the team after being by far the worst player. Gomez who got very little services and managed to convert from the scraps he received is to blame for everyone else not doing their job

 

Leave the defense alone.

I'd like to see Loew go w/ only one center mid at the back - Khedira or Schweinsteigher - preferably the former. Put Oezil in front of him w/ Muller and Schuerrle on each side.

If Podolski is going to play - stick him up front w/ Klose. Otherwise, leave him on the bench.

Either way - put someone in a supporting role whether they go w/ Klose or Gomez up front. They have several guys who can do it - give them a chance.

Unfortunately, he won't make too many changes.

 

Gomez got the game winner and deserves to keep his starting role. Podolski had enough touches that odds are he will find the net if he gets another shot against Holland.

 

I am hoping the Jogi is using his noodle and picking the best side on a game by game basis. Putting my coach's hat on and looking at the players we have available, we all know that Miro is going to be hard pressed to play all six possible matches - should we reach the final - whilst remaining 100% fit. So the solution is to rotate the two strikers and fit them into some sort of gameplan for each opponent.

Given that Klose's game would be best suited against the Dutch - more so now as they will be having to chase things from the off - it would have made sense to gamble with Mario in what was always going to be a tighter opening match against Portugal. We could then as I said revert back to Gomez for the Denmark game.

Sounds like you'd have quite a time at home should Germany meet Russia Georg... It will be similar at my place should we meet France at any time - possible semi-final perhaps.

 

It does cut both ways though. To get more service, you sometimes have to work a little for it. What Gomez was up for for most of the game was akin to sitting down and waiting to be served at a self-service restaurant.

 

To be fair all of our attacking midfielders were doing the same. I frequently saw Mueller, Oezil, and Podolski standing in a line with Gomez across Portugal's back four, while Khedira and Schweini had to find a way to get the ball forward. None of our attacking players moved much at all, we played virtually no fast combinations. I expect Jogi will make some changes to the spacing and movement of our players for the match against the Dutch.

 

One thing that works in Germany's favour is that the Dutch have to go for a win. Which means that Germany can employ the regular counter attacking game much better than they could against Portugal. We're in for a treat. 4-2 to Germany.

 

The Dutch are reeling from their loss against Denmark, if Germany can get a early goal the Dutch will be in real trouble either by folding up or by opening up their back line and giving up a couple more goals.

 

I agree that they were pretty bad. I do think however they deserve one more chance considering Germany won, though Podolski's chance is more like a half a chance for me. If he plays as bad as he did last match, replace him at half time and he's done for his starting XI position. There is only so many chances you can blow before loosing your position, and he made a major gamble last game.

 

This is a really mouth watering prospect. It's a game of two rivals, of two countries that have serious history in football terms. One needs a win, while Germany, is well, Germany. I was somewhat surprised by how lethargic Germany looked on Saturday, but I also think it was a case of Portugal's tactics. Germany was very weary of Portugal playing on the counter, at least more so in the first half until the 40th minute, so they tried to find an opening with a patient build up.

If Holland play to their strengths, and play on the wings and use Sneijder that could open up serious space for Germany on the counter, and that is very dangerous, as all of you have alluded to. The Dutch defense looked somewhat shaky against the Danes when they attacked, and if you have issues defending Bendtner, then you have issues, at least on that level. The left part of their defense is there for the taking, as Willems is very inexperienced, and while Vlaar had a good season at Feyenoord, he too isn't at the level as the rest of the squad is. You also add that most of the Dutch players besides possibly Van Persie (even though he was limited for Arsenal in the last 4-5 games) are mostly out of form. Sneijder was surprisingly very majestic against the Danes, considering he had not done much in an Inter jersey this season. He looked solid when he came back from his long injury, but still not at his best. The same can be said about de Jong and Van Bommel, who looked at times lost for pace. Both rely on their energy, and decision making, and I would think Loew would advise Oezil and the wide players (whoever that happens to be) that dribbling at them or quick interchanges when the opportunity presents itself will be the key to breaking them down.

If Germany play more down the wings and more of an aerial game, I can't see Germany creating much as Vlaar and Heitinga are pretty good in the air. That is one aspect where they are solid defensively. Gomez obviously is a solid header of the ball, but I'm talking about a general pattern of play.

I back Germany to win 2-0, as the Dutch defense looks a lot worse to me than it did in South Africa. And I think the way they should do it is to hit the ground running right from the beginning. If they give the Dutch time to establish a little bit of possession that will give the Dutch confidence, but if Germany scores within the first 10 minutes I really can't see Germany being broken down twice. Just kind of what I feel... in terms of form this is not the same Dutch side as of 2 years ago, and given their showing against Denmark I will be curious to see if one of Huntelaar or Van der Vaart will start.

 

I'm half-German half-Russian.. (German father, Russian mother) though only ever support Germans in sport.

 

Two of our children are half and half and if we see a match between Russia and Germany I fear I will lose my children's support to their mothers country.

 

good to see some optimism about Germany again I think theyve got this but i would ask for Reus and Klose instead of Podolski and Gomez because they are perfect for this match - most people have already stated why. I think that Götze should get a run out in place of Özil at some point 60/70mins in depending on the score.

 

Great stuff, I just sent it to my Dutch wife. this link is less funny:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18379093

 

When I hear the Russian national anthem before the games, I usually am sooooo close to actually root for them just because I want to listen to that anthem again.

 

My dad used to hear that anthem coming from the next island over every morning when he was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War. Says he loves hearing it because a. it's so beautiful and b. because it reminds him of Alaska, which he loved despite the horrible Army food.

 

Van Marwijk facing Netherlands revolt led by Van der Vaart

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/eu...acing-netherlands-revolt-led-by-van-der-vaart



"The chance that my situation will change is pretty small," he told Voetbal International. "The coach has made up his mind. He has certain preferences and I'm not one of the players he prefers.

"I don't feel like I can do anything to make him change his mind. We have seen in the past few years that things don't change easily. That's great if you're a starter, but not so much if you're warming the bench.

"I have to admit that it's not an easy situation for me. Some days I feel better than others, but I'm obviously disappointed. I always do my utmost for the team, but it has been without results so far."

Van der Vaart insists, though, that he has no intention of disrupting Oranje's preparations for their must-win Group B encounter with die Mannschaft.

"I will always give 100 per cent," he stated. "I don't want to disturb the group process, and will never make a mess out of it.

"I'm the last person to make demands. Players are not in the position to demand something. However, I feel that I do have the right to voice my disappointment."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/eu...an-der-vaart-hits-out-at-netherlands-boss-van