Álvaro Morata, MVP in the most interesting duel of this World Cup so far, said it could have been a final. Spain and Germany, two of the last three world champions, met in the group stage because Germany did not do well in qualifying and did not finish top seed.
After the defeat against Japan, Germany survived a critical situation. The 1-1 draw was a fair result between two great footballing nations whose playing styles couldn’t be more different. Almost stereotypically, they showed their well-known strengths and revealed their weaknesses. The draw gives both of them a very good starting position in their last games against Japan and Costa Rica.
Spain and Germany are again among the five teams with title options. As expected, Spain is celebrating its football culture in Qatar. His strength is his clear possession of the ball in attack with the pass as the central element. I know it, I’ve been exposed to it myself in my career. All Spanish coaches have internalized this idea, and all the players in the current starting XI implement it consistently, including in defence.
It’s an idealistic vision of football, where anyone can do anything and requires everyone’s intelligence. That’s always nice to see and success has proven Spain right for almost two decades. Smaller soccer nations like Costa Rica can hardly match Spain because they can hardly have the ball. The same should happen with Japan. For a long time, Spain was strategically and technically superior to Germany.
However, sometimes the Spaniards go too far. So they suffer complicated situations, even in the penalty area, even the goalkeeper. This makes them vulnerable to opponents who are innings strong and competitive. The physical is not a priority in Spain.
Luis Enrique’s team is therefore in danger of being beaten in its own game. Mainly because they are very homogeneous, but a group always thrives on individualists. I’m thinking of the team around Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, but also goalscorers like Fernando Torres and David Villa. They beat us in 2008 and 2010.
Spain grew strong as the game progressed with an extremely risky build-up game against the Germans. Luis Enrique was right in saying that Germany came closer to victory in the end. It also seems questionable to me that you can win the trophy if you don’t react adequately to standard situations. Luckily for Spain, Antonio Rüdiger was marginally offside when he scored his header in the first half.
Germany’s profile is different. The Germans need a break, they are mainly dependent on the tournament preparation, which was very short this time. In the first leg against Japan, Hansi Flick did not rely on players with many years of international experience when he came on. There was a disagreement and the game was lost. It wasn’t long before Germany was eliminated after two games.
Things went better against Spain. During the game, the team was able to find each other again. It was important for the center to gain stability: Niklas Süle and Antonio Rüdiger in defence, plus Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Ilkay Gündoğan in midfield. With Manuel Neuer, these six players are now the German linchpin. The rest is variable. However, Süle and Rüdiger and the whole team could defend more organized. Jordi Alba and Álvaro Morata took advantage of this lack to score the goal. But the fight and the passion make up for it a lot.
In attack, Flick can fall back on some internationally experienced players. And quite a new face. The fans love Jamal Musiala. He’s a very technical player who holds the ball very well. In the last third of the field he does things that are difficult to predict. And Niclas Füllkrug could continue to surprise as a wildcard. He simplifies the team’s game because he is a clear and carefree centre-forward.
However, it is not clear how good the Elf is. It’s the unpredictable amount among the favorites. It may be eliminated soon, but once you get going and develop a belief, anything is possible. His claim The team was abolished as he was frowned upon at home. However, it describes German football very well. There are many topics, including that of the tournament team.
One for all, all for one. This spirit is important in all teams, even more so in national teams than in club teams. It’s less about the bonuses and more about giving back to your country. That’s how I’ve always felt as a player. Who are you playing for and why? Only those who find good answers to these questions can ultimately be the winners. However, a tournament with knockouts is more difficult to predict than a league.
So is Morata right, can there be a final between Spain and Germany? Yes it does, of course I would love to. Although I think France have the best chances because they balance the elements of structure, talent and physique the best. We mustn’t forget Brazil, who are a very strong team individually. I think Argentina was wrongly excluded. One difference from 2014, when Argentina lost to us in the Maracanã final, has to do with Lionel Messi. At that time the attitude was: He will save us. Now the team is playing for him. Plus, at 35, you can set the tone. That’s very exciting.
The World Cup in Qatar was initially characterized by political debates. Rightly so, but I think everything has been said now. Now that the round of 16 is coming up, it’s a football tournament, a peaceful competition between nations. And that’s good.
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