German national side not convincing in match against Paraguay

Jochen Low's German national side (DFB Team)  was not convincing in its friendly against Paraguay, a side that is last in its World Cup 2014 qualifying group.  The match revealed major flaws in Germany's defence. 

After a short practice session in Mainz, the DFB Team matched their skills in Kaiserslautern against a South American side that was not about to take a backseat to the Germans.  Within 15 minutes Paraguay took the lead with goals by Ariel Nunez (9th) und Wilson Pittoni (13th).  The goals revealed major flaws in the German defence.  

Ilkay Gündogan narrowed the score to 2-1 in the 18th minute and when Thomas Mueller got the equalizer in the 31st, it appeared as if Germany had recovered.   Paraguay scored a spoiler at 45+1 when Samudio scored the third goal for the South Americans and Paraguay went into the break with a 3-2 lead.

The only goal is credited to Lars Bender in the 75th minute, permitting the DFB Team to save faith with a 3-3. 

Jochen Low knows that he has a lot of work to do if Germany is to continue its unbeaten streak in World Cup 2014 qualification.   Low  commented on the game:

"We made basic mistakes in the first half.  Our defensive play was sloby and we gave the opponent too much room.  We made indivdual errors, but it was also clear that for some the league is still on its break.  We will certainly not play this way against Austria, we will improve our performance.  I foresee an intense competition for spots on the World Cup side."

Germany's world class keeper, Manuel Neuer, who seldom collects three goals, also said:

"We know that defensively nothing worked.  Those were clearly our mistakes, although in the second half it was better.  I believe that today was a shot across the bow and just in time.  We cannot play in this manner against Austria."

The German side has collect seven goals in the last two games.  The first was a loss against Juergen Klinnsman's US Men's National Team and this one.  Germany plays its World Cup 2014 qualifying match against Austria on September 6th. 

DFB Team Line Up:  Neuer - Lahm, Mertelsacker , Hummels, Schmelzer - Khedira, Gündogan - Müller, Özil, Reus  - Klose

EURO 2012 - Joachim Loew Announces 27 Player Cadre for German National Side

German National side coach has announced his cadre of players for the European Championships.  The DFB Team will consist of:

Goal Keepers:

Manuel Neuer (Bayern München), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

Defence:

Jerome Boateng, Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm (alle Bayern München), Per Mertesacker (FC Arsenal), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Höwedes (Schalke 04), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfield:

 Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira (beide Real Madrid), Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger (alle Bayern München), Marco Reus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Mario Götze, Ilkay Gündogan (beide Borussia Dortmund), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Andre Schürrle (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Lukas Podolski (1. FC Köln)

Strikers:

Cacau (VfB Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern München), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Rom)

Distribution among Bundesliga Clubs:

Bayern Muenchen - 8, Borussia Dortmund - 5, Schalke 04 - 2, Gladbach - 2, Werder Bremen - 1,
Bayer Leverkusen - 2, Hannover 96 - 1, 1.FC Koeln 1, VFB Stuttgart - 1

Non Bundesliga Teams:

Real Madrid - 2, Lazio Rom - 1, FC Arsenal - 1

15 of the players named were part of the squad which competed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Bayern Munich provide the largest contingent with eight, while Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund have five names in the squad.

Germany's EURO 2012 preparations begin on 11 May with a training camp in Sardinia.  Several players will miss the initial sessions with Dortmund and Bayern still to contest the DFB Cup final on 12 May and Bayern the UEFA Champions League final on 19 May against Chelsea. Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira (both Real Madrid) will also join  the squad at a later date, due to the longer domestic seasons in Spain, Italy and England.

Germany Plays Textbook Soccer - Defeats the Netherland 3-0

The 2nd ranked Netherlands met 3rd ranked European club Germany in a Friendly.  Germany wasted litttle time to start dominating the match.   Jogi Loew decided to go with just one striker and gave Miroslav Klose the nod over Mario Gomez.  The decision paid off.  There was excellent interaction between Klose, Mueller and Ozil.  Ozil was involved in every goal. Germany defeated the Netherlands 3-0

After testing each other for the first few minutes of the match, Germany dominated quickly in the first half .   With quick counters especially with good combinations from Mueller to Oezil and then Klose, the Dutch defence was often overburdened during the first half.   Snijder, who picked up a yellow card, mostly out of frustration, was able to direct the team of the Dutch offence.  At the end of the first 45, the 2-0 German lead humbled the Netherlands.

Thomas Mueller scored the first goal after just 15 minutes into the match when a long pass by Toni Kroos from the left side to Klose, who took his time and pushed the ball to the penalty spot, where Mueller moved onto the ball and pushed it into the corner of the net.  1-0 lead for Germany was perfect.

Klose made it 2-0 for Germany in the 26th minute.  Picture perfect passes and a soccer textbook goal showed the class of the German side.  Mueller moves on the ball on the move  and passes it on the right flank.  Ozil one times it in the direction of the 16 metre area to Klose, who anticipated the ball and heads the ball into the net.  This was Klose's 63rd international goal. 

The score remained at 2-0 at the 45.  Hummels comes into the match replacing Badstuber at the start of the second half.

The Dutch came out a little more determined in the second half, but the German side continued to play brilliant soccer.  Oezil made it 3-0 in the 66th minute.   Klose picks up the ball on the right side and passes it to Mueller who takes a few steps and passes it to Ozil, who makes a perfect delivery to Klose and then back to Ozil, who easily puts it into the net.

Overall Germany had a convincing victory.  The defence was solid and Loew's decision to work with one striker paid off.  Germany is in a good position prior to start the European Championship.  No doubt, this victory will give it the confidence to succeed.  

Starting Line Ups (Brackets indicate age followed by caps)

Germany-1 Neuer/Bayern München (25 Jahre/25 Länderspiele) - 20 Boateng/Bayern München (23/19), 17 Mertesacker/FC Arsenal (27/79), 14 Badstuber/Bayern München (22/18), 4 Aogo/Hamburger SV (24/9) - 18 Kroos/Bayern München (21/24), 6 Khedira/Real Madrid (24/24) - 13 Müller/Bayern München (22/25), 8 Özil/Real Madrid (23/30), 10 Podolski (26/95) - 11 Klose/Lazio Rom (33/113)

The Netherlands 1 Stekelenburg/AS Rom (29/44) - 2 van der Wiel/Ajax Amsterdam (23/29), 3 Heitinga/FC Everton (28/74), 4 Mathijsen/FC Malaga (31/78), 5 Braafheid/1899 Hoffenheim (28/10) - 6 van Bommel/AC Mailand (34/73), 8 Strootman/PSV Eindhoven (21/10) - 7 Kuyt/FC Liverpool (31/84), 10 Sneijder/Inter Mailand (27/80), 11 Babel/1899 Hoffenheim (24/42) - 9 Huntelaar/Schalke 04 (28/49)

Germany Meets The Netherlands in Friendly - Preview

The top three rated international sides in Europe are 1. Spain, 2. The Netherlands and 3. Germany.  Tomorrow Hamburg will be the stage for a friendly match between Germany and the Netherlands.  Both teams have qualified for the European Championship in 2012 with co-hosts Ukraine and Poland. 

Germany managed a draw against the Ukraine in Kiew on Friday, with just under 70,000 spectators.  With not much to lose, except some German pride, Jogi Loew tested a few newcomers and left Neuer, Klose, Lahm out of the match.  Midfield director Bastian Schweinsteiger is out until after Christmas with a collar bone injury.  Miroslav Klose also missed the match due to injuries.

Germany marched qualified for the European Championship with ten victories in ten matches.  Loew will not attempt his 3-5-2 system in this match.  It often left the defence wide open and allowed for quick counters by the Ukraine.  Two of the Ukraine goals were achieved after corner kicks.  So, in all likelihood a 4-4-2 system will be used with Klose and Gomez taking the point.

Germany's Likely Starters:

Neuer- Höwedes, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Aogo – Khedira, Rolfes – T. Müller, Podolski – Gomez, Klose

 There will be strength on the German bench as well with:   Oezil, Goetze, Schuerrle and Kroos.  


The Netherlands are no slouches either and will likely play a 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Holland is also qualified as the winner of its group for the European championship.  The were defeated once against Sweden.  The offensive line-up of the team is strong with international super stars like Arjen Robben, Weslie Snijder, Robin van Persie, Van der Vaart and Kuyt.  It is no accident that this team was in the World Cup final in South Africa. 

Likely Starters for The Netherlands:

Stekelenburg – van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Braafheid – van Bommel, Strootman – Kuyt, Sneijder, Babel – Huntelaar

The match promises to be an exciting one.  In the end, the final result, which should be close will be decided in the midfield and by the team with the strongest defence.  Gomez and Klose are in competition with each other, but in a friendly way.  This competition is good for the team.

My prediction is that it will be close match, with Germany making use of the home advantage and defeating Holland 2-1.  No matter what the final result, it should be a delight for the spectators.