They have a plethora of options for most positions to the envy of all teams and that makes three-time world champions Germany, the team to beat in this World Cup. Nandita Jain tells you why
The player-position ratio that coach Joachim loew has at his disposal makes Germany, once again, strong favourites for the World Cup. Simply put, the three-time champions have a choice for every position.
And, leaving a 4-4 draw against Sweden, the fact that Germany won every match during their qualifying campaign, just shows that. Add to this the fact that along with The Netherlands, they were the only team to score in every match of the qualifiers.
It has been 24 years since Germany last won the trophy but technically attacking football, coupled with the team’s consistent goal-scoring abilities, make following the side, a very interesting proposition.
Now, if one were to just imagine a good team, they need not look far. As the Germans are a well decorated lot with a brilliant goalkeeper, technically talented defense, tactically strong midfield and a jaw-dropping forward line. But, the major advantage that leow’s side enjoys is choice. The team, which looks brilliant on paper, only becomes better with the options available — Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, and the list doesn’t end there, for the choice of mid-fielders can be quite a dilemma for the coach.
High octane defensive football — we’ve already seen it during the Bundesliga — may once again be the order of the day. But, not to forget the attack that we saw in the 2010 edition from the Germans — they annihilated England 4-1 in pre-quarters and then did the same to lionel Messi-led Argentina in quarters 4-0.
Manuel Neuer, who is considered as one of the best goalkeepers around, might have to be alert from the word go in Group G as the Germans are clubbed with Portugal, USA and Ghana and face the former first. While one expects a straight win against The States and Ghana, the Portuguese, led by Cristiano Ronaldo if fit, can be quite a handful. They may give the German defense a hard time and the tie, in all probability, will decide the group leader.
There are many favourites this time but Germany will be the one to beat. It will be a tough task for Die Mannschaft and nothing but the trophy shall be enough this summer.
Finally, with a record 14 goals in World Cup history, Miroslav Klose is the man to watch out for. The indications are that loew will use him as the sole striker, Brazil’s Ronaldo’s record of 15 goals doesn’t seem far.