German NT - World Cup 2014 - Pre tournament and squad selection

Without an out-n-out striker for aerial attack as plan B, it's a very risky move

Sometimes u need a different approach against different opponents. Loew doesn't seem to realize. Gomez, Lasogga n someone like Kiessling need to be there

 

I certainly hope we won't have to rely on Klose to start and use him largely for leadership and maybe some last minute action.

 

I think taking only two strikers is risky simply from the injury perspective. Lose one or two and you need to call up your provisional roster (if allowed).

 

I would probably go with the following

------------Volland(Müller)
Reus---------------------Özil(Müller)

---------Kroos---Schweinsteiger(L.Bender)
----------------Lahm

Durm--Hummels--Boateng--Grosskreutz

-----------------Neuer

 

Dude, read your own quote:

"And it was a big mistake back then, what has Klose done 2002? The team totally relied on Ballack to score."

You were clearly talking post-2002.

 

Right, because of your poor typing skills. WTF did you mean then with "what has Klose done 2002?"

Let's not foget this gem: "The team totally relied on Ballack to score."

That was clearly wrong. Whatever. I sense your need to cover your butt after failing to get data together before posting something so obviously wrong. Ok. I'm done.

 

Müller gotta start...
So What about özil replacing one of kroos and schweinsteiger...

 

Too defensive for him, at least in terms of what Löw can instruct. Would take him away from attack too much I think. I suppose it could be done but I don't trust Löw to know how to create an ultra flexible system out of this shape and with these players.

 

...and standing behind your obvious mis-statements and failing to back them up? ROFL. Okay. Don't like accountability do ya? Whatever.

 

I thought you were naming your own without considering löw.

I think that löw should finally let go and trust the players to work their skills.

It has not been otherwise working so far.

 

Won't happen. He's not the type.

 

It's difficult to ignore Löw's stamp on this team. He keeps calling Podolski up for example. And Jansen. And at the slightest risk he stops experimenting until it's too late. I completely agree with you though.

That formation is mostly what I think we should do, since we're in the business of playing armchair coach but also realistically what we can expect to a degree. If I had even more freedom, I would actually drop Schweinsteiger as controversial as that is. With everyone fit I would obviously love Gündogan in there as a replacement.

So if I really had this team to myself, a delicious fantasy and all players at my disposal, I'd go for this:


--------------------Reus--------Müller
---------------------------------------------Özil

-----Khedira
------------------Kroos--------Gündogan
----------------------------------------------<<Grosskreutz>>

--------------------------<<Lahm>>

---------------Hummels-----------Boateng

----------------------------Neuer

Would be totally asymmetrical with no natural width based on creativity through middle and power runs on flank. Emphasis on high line with Lahm as libero/holder. Front line interchangeable. Müller/Reus as outlets for Özil. Khedira more advanced but him and Grosskreutz using their physicality and workrate to occupy spaces. Both really good at bombing forward when necessary. Both capable at covering defensively if needed. Both would be key players to make this system work.

 

Not sure it's Loew's fault for not bringing in striker as backup for Klose n Gomez until too late.

He did bring in Lasogga and Kruse, but injuries and form hurt their chances. I still think if Lasogga isn't injured, he would be called up by Loew but he is incredibly injury prone

Clubs in Bundesliga aren't starting German strikers. Other than Kiessling, Lasogga, Kruse n maybe Ginczek (pre-injury) you can hardly think of a striker who starts regularly at Cf spot. Volland plays there sometimes, Cacau n Petersen are some others but they are regular starters or starting CF for their clubs

 

Well, I didn't expect either Klose or Gomez to be selected due to injuries but they'll be a lot of pressure on Klose to score goals. Anybody suggesting Mueller up top clearly did not watch Bayern play this season! Volland as an option? No thanks, he'll wilt under the pressure and do nothing.

I must say I'm not too confident going into the WM with Loew planning on making further "adjustments" and the players available.

 

So - from the earlier post - you kind of expect volland to be starting? And why not Müller?

Your team is what I would go for this tournament but I might play Volland instead of Khedira and would play Weidenfeller with the option of replacing him if he isn't as good or better than Neuer. Boateng - I'm not fully sure about but I don't think anyone else is better than him right now.

 

I suppose I would play Müller. I think Volland's form is such that he could play, ironically a Müller role from 2010 but either one is ok. I suppose Volland off the bench along with Götze and Draxler...or Klose.

 

I guess you mean this is what löw is thtinking.

I think he might even start both if he does think volland can have Müller's impact of 2010

 

Either way I hope Jansen gets cut in favor of Durm.

 

On Mueller, this is true but he's the type of play who can turn it around IMHO.

On Volland, I am not sure why you think he'd wilt. Mueller did not wilt in 2010. Why so confident that Volland will? Both had similar seasons just before their WM debuts. Both were about the same age. Both are similar in their play and in their aggressive attitude.

 

This article begs the question: Is Loew prepping for 2018 rather than 2014? The article calls it "Jung and wild as never before" noting that half of the roster don't have 20 Länderspiele, 10 have less than 5.

http://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de...nie.cc2d707b-deb2-4851-baa3-43280f115417.html

 

Durm cold help a lot i think. Seems confident