Written by Faris Albarghouthi
These notes were gathered in preparation for our panel discussion of the favorites and dark horses for this year’s World Cup in Russia.
- FIFA ranking: 1 → defending champions
- Won WC 4 times (‘54,’74,’90,’14), 8 final appearances, 18 overall
- Coach: Joachim Low (same since 2006 – super successful)
- 4-2-3-1
- In his 4-2-3-1 formation in the Germany vs. Chile game, Ter stegen plays as the sweeper, gives defenders the opportunity to take risks, central defenders stay pretty static, with one defender (usually with best feet) deeper. In front is a defensive motor and a defensive mid (rudy and kimmich). Here, kimmich could play wider, so that gave them a better opportunity to handle the counter-attack. Germany won 1-0
- Same in the game vs. Norway – two static central backs, one deeper than the other, one being more physical (to intercept), two wing backs (Kimmich and Hector) to create chances in attack. There were two inverted wingers as well, so Ozil can pick out beautiful passes and use his creativity to create a strong attack
- World Cup Group F
- South Korea
- Mexico
- Sweden
- Last two friendlies late March (uneventful):
- Spain: 1-1
- Brazil: 1-0 Loss
- Neuer injury update:
- 3rd hairline fracture in his foot
- Was supposed to be back in Bundesliga at 2nd half of season, hasn’t been back yet
- He has been back in training with Bayern (tweet from March 27)
- Ter Stegen as backup
- Stacked lineup
- See key players in lineup below
- Reus has come back after injuries, but is he a reliable option?
- Leroy Sane, Gomez, Gundogan, Draxler, Howedes
- Rudy seems like a reliable mid – impressed in Qualifiers
- Gotze (scored winner in 2014) → Has been benched last few games with Dortmund (played only 4 mins against Schalke) → WC dreams in balance?
- Mustafi (played poorly this season with Arsenal, less successful tackles than Firmino)
- Void left by Schweinsteiger and Lahm:
- Schweinsteiger replaced by Kroos
- Lahm replaced by Kimmich (even at Bayern)
References:
Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus hopeful of World Cup place with Germany | bundesliga.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/marco-reus-borussia-dortmund-world-cup-hopes-germany-joachim-low-476670.jsp
Gotze benched with WC hopes in balance. (2018, April 16). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://global.espn.com/football/borussia-dortmund/story/3458672/borussia-dortmunds-mario-gotze-benched-germany-world-cup-hopes-in-balance
How Germany could look at the 2018 World Cup | bundesliga.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/how-germany-could-look-at-the-2018-world-cup-in-russia-447224.jsp
Manuel Neuer Steps Up Recovery From Foot Injury As Bayern Ace Eyes Germany World Cup Spot | SI.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/03/27/manuel-neuer-steps-recovery-foot-injury-bayern-ace-eyes-germany-world-cup-spot
