iSporter Arppit Gupta previews the second semi-final game of the FIFA World Cup 2010 between Germany and Spain. Will the German youth continue their triumphant run or hit the brick wall against the Spanish Armada?
It would be a Clash of the titans (part 2, if we consider Argentina vs Germany game as part 1) in Durban on Wednesday night, when the young German side will lock horns with arguably the best bench strength team in the competition (at least on paper).
Both these teams come into this game with a loss at the hands of teams rated decently below them. German defeat to Serbia came after they demolished the Socceroos 4-0 in their opening encounter and the Spaniards has to bite dust in their 1st game against the Swiss, the same side against whom they had a long streak of 19 unbeaten games.
Although the Spaniards looked very solid in that loss, but not more than the Swiss defense.
The Germans against Serbia made chances but the loss of Klose in that game in the 34th minute and Podolski displaying school boy football, the German loss was inevitable.
But leaving all aside both the teams come into this game with a compact form. The German confidence is touching sky high after they demolished England and then Argentina 4-1 and 4-0 respectively.
But their key player Thomas Muller would be missing out in this clash after a 2nd bookable offense in this tournament.In his absence, Brazilian born Cacau should get a likely start, but coach Joachim Loew could opt for the Polish born Piotr Trochowski to start the game as Cacau does not hold the central mid.
Vicente Del Bosque would be going through an irony of happy headache as he has selection problems. With Torres not firing, Fabregas not totally fit after a shoulder injury in the game against Paraguay and Pedro showing glimpses of excellence and Llorente's tall figure which could nullify Mertesacker at the back, Del Bosque has surely asked for some trouble.
The midfield is star studded for both the sides. Barcelona play makers Xavi and Andres Inniesta and Madrid Galactico member Xabi Alonso could have total control in the mid field with their "Total Football" play of short passes and one touch football. With Sergio Ramos making big runs in the right flank area, it could open doors for the Germans to capitalize, but his runs and lethal deliveries could prove fatal for the Germans.
The short inspirational skipper in Philip Lahm could be a provider of long balls for Miroslav Klose and we all know of his capabilities in the air in front of the goal. David Villa lost a bit of composure in the Quarter final clash against Paraguay, but soon his goal scoring form has become more than a talking point in the tournament.
The unsung hero in Bastian Schweinsteiger with his play making capabilities and dissecting the defense combined with the young turk, Turkish born Mesut Oezil it should not be a one way traffic for either teams to say the least.
All the 22 players who would appear on the pitch tonight have a big name behind their back, some carrying it to this World cup while the others making a name in this world's most watched event itself.
Nevertheless with both teams playing attacking, unselfish (a quality which lacked in the Argentines against the Germans) form of football, the key lies in scoring the 1st goal, as after that the team trailing could be split opened on the counter attack.
Without a doubt in any mind, the pre-world cup favorites would be touch underdogs in this game against the young German side as no one thought that they had a the flare to demolish sides of great potential with relative ease.
The German astrologer Octopus Paul did choose Spain as favorites for this encounter and to add to the German misery Paul has been right about all the German fixtures in this competition.
For the ones who are ardent Paul prediction fans, they could breathe easy as Paul had predicted the finals of the EURO 2008 in the favor of the Germans, but Spaniards came out on top. Can we see Paul predicting wrong again when the same two teams are involved ?
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
