And we're down to our Final Four! All of them are heavyweights, and all of them have a legit change of winning.
Up first we have Brazil... the host, the penta-champion, the scratch, la canarinha, la verde-amarela... facing off against Germany, Die Mannschaft, DAS UBER FUßBALL MACHINEN. This is the Germans' 4th straight semifinals after finishing 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd in the last 3 World Cups. Unbelievable... and then you remember West Germany made 3 straight finals: '82, '86, and '90. Incredible. Tune in at 4 pm Eastern for this Goliath vs. Goliath match-up, live from Belo Horizonte (ESPN in the US).
Your Mandatory "No love lost between these two teams" Video
Shockingly, Brazil and Germany have only played each other once at the World Cup. The scenario was the 2002 Final in Yokohama, and it doubled as the crowning moment for one Ronaldo Luíz Nazário de Lima. Enjoy!
Uniforms
I'd rather see the blue shorts or blue socks, instead of this year's all-white version. Germany's away jerseys are an atrocity. Decided advantage, verde-amarela.
Three Burning Questions
1. Neymar is out. Yeah. :( Who will step up and fill the massive hole?
The natural choice to replace injured star Neymar in the Starting XI is amazingly-named Chelsea winger Willian. However, the creative responsibility will fall squarely on the shoulders of another Chelsea player: Oscar. The task for Germany is pretty simple: cut-off Oscar from the run of play and watch as Hulk, Willian, and Fred run around like chickens with their heads cut-off. In Fred's case, I'm pretty sure he didn't have a head to begin with. He's awful.
2. Will Klose dare break Ronaldo's scoring record in Brazilian soil?
Sadly, I think the answer is no. The German attack did not play with the same coherence and intensity that characterizes them in the match against France. I expect Gotze to be back in the lineup, with Müller moving to the center-forward position. The rest of the line-up should remain unchanged from the team that professionally dispatched la France. Klose will only get his chance if Germany is down late and they decide to bomb the Brazilian penalty area with crosses. Schürrle is the preferred substitute option anyway.
3. What will be stronger? Brazilian emotion or Germany's apathetic approach?
Normally, I'd say that the key to beat Brazil is to prevent them from scoring in the first 20 minutes. They really feed off the emotion of the crowd. We saw what happened in the quarterfinals against Colombia. However, if there's a team that is equipped to survive an early Brazilian strike is this German team. They've seen it all. They will not panic and they will find a way.
Brazil will win if...
... Fred scores. Because if Fred scores, you know that things are DEFINITELY going Brazil's way.
Germany will win if...
... the match is played. After all, "Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win."
The Final Score
Brazil 1 (4) - Germany 1 (3). Because it couldn't be any other way. Not only do Brazil reach the final of their own tournament, but they do it while beating the Germans at what they do best, penalty kicks. By the way, I think Brazil scores early (that clown Fred will probably use his knee or something) and Germany ties it late.
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts
Monday, July 7, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
World Cup 2014 - Quarterfinals Preview: Germany vs. France
The World Cup Quarterfinals kick off with France vs. Germany this Friday at the Maracana in Rio. The match is scheduled for noon, Eastern Time.
Your Mandatory "No love lost between these two teams" Video
That one time that German keeper sent that French striker to the hospital during a World Cup semifinal....
Uniforms
I give the advantage to France, only because a German uniform without the black shorts is a disgrace. Seriously, Adidas. You and I have issues that need to be worked out.
Three Burning Questions
1. Who will play Right Back for Die Mannschaft?
The injury to Mustafi will force German manager Joachim Low to make a lineup change: 1) he can move Höwedes to the right, Boateng to the left, and reinsert Mats Hummels into the lineup, or 2) he can move Phillip Lahm to his familiar right back position, and play Schweinsteiger/Khedira/Kroos in the middle, with Özil and Götze in more advanced positions behind Müller.
2. Will Griezmann be in the Starting XI for Les Bleus?
The Real Sociedad winger was key in opening up the Nigerian defense, winning the corner that led to Paul Pogba's goal and then provoking the own goal that sealed the match. Olivier Giroud got the start in the Round of 16 match but did not play well, and that's an understatement. Benzema is a better player when playing as a true #9, which he can do with Griezmann playing out wide.
3. Which goalkeeper will make the game-changing save?
Manuel Neuer is widely acclaimed as one of the world's best GKs, but this discussion is not as clear-cut as you might think. Hugo Lloris is really good, even if he has not been tested much in this tournament. Once you go deep into the knockout rounds, having a World Class goalkeeper can make all the difference. See: Howard, Tim. I think Lloris will come up big during the 2nd half.
Germany will win if...
...if Özil plays at a superstar level. The Arsenal midfielder was atrocious during most of the match against Algeria, even if he did score what turned out to be the game-winning goal at the end of extra time. If he can connect with the other midfielders and feed decent balls to Müller, Germany will advance.
France will win if...
... Benzema and/or Valbuena can get in one-on-one situations against another key Arsenal man, Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker has been under scrutiny due to his lack of speed, which GK/Libero Manuel Neuer has had to make up for with his daring play.
The Final Score
France 2 - Germany 1. Germany may have more individual talent but France has looked like the better team so far. A late Benzema strike off a quick counter sends the Mannschaft home.
Your Mandatory "No love lost between these two teams" Video
That one time that German keeper sent that French striker to the hospital during a World Cup semifinal....
Uniforms
I give the advantage to France, only because a German uniform without the black shorts is a disgrace. Seriously, Adidas. You and I have issues that need to be worked out.
Three Burning Questions
1. Who will play Right Back for Die Mannschaft?
The injury to Mustafi will force German manager Joachim Low to make a lineup change: 1) he can move Höwedes to the right, Boateng to the left, and reinsert Mats Hummels into the lineup, or 2) he can move Phillip Lahm to his familiar right back position, and play Schweinsteiger/Khedira/Kroos in the middle, with Özil and Götze in more advanced positions behind Müller.
2. Will Griezmann be in the Starting XI for Les Bleus?
The Real Sociedad winger was key in opening up the Nigerian defense, winning the corner that led to Paul Pogba's goal and then provoking the own goal that sealed the match. Olivier Giroud got the start in the Round of 16 match but did not play well, and that's an understatement. Benzema is a better player when playing as a true #9, which he can do with Griezmann playing out wide.
3. Which goalkeeper will make the game-changing save?
Manuel Neuer is widely acclaimed as one of the world's best GKs, but this discussion is not as clear-cut as you might think. Hugo Lloris is really good, even if he has not been tested much in this tournament. Once you go deep into the knockout rounds, having a World Class goalkeeper can make all the difference. See: Howard, Tim. I think Lloris will come up big during the 2nd half.
Germany will win if...
...if Özil plays at a superstar level. The Arsenal midfielder was atrocious during most of the match against Algeria, even if he did score what turned out to be the game-winning goal at the end of extra time. If he can connect with the other midfielders and feed decent balls to Müller, Germany will advance.
France will win if...
... Benzema and/or Valbuena can get in one-on-one situations against another key Arsenal man, Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker has been under scrutiny due to his lack of speed, which GK/Libero Manuel Neuer has had to make up for with his daring play.
The Final Score
France 2 - Germany 1. Germany may have more individual talent but France has looked like the better team so far. A late Benzema strike off a quick counter sends the Mannschaft home.
Monday, June 30, 2014
World Cup 2014 - Round of 16, Day 3
Here are your predictions for today, June 30th, 2014.
France vs. Nigeria
I don't think there's a more physically imposing squad than the Nigerians in this tournament. This is most exemplified by their striker, Emmanuel Emenike. The matchup between him and Mamadou Sakho will be one to watch. However, the draw did not do them any favors as they have to face a French team that put on the most impressive display of football in this World Cup, while racing to a 5-0 lead against the Swiss.
I think this will be a tight game where France prevails, but not without a few scares along the way. This is a Nigerian team that gave Argentina fits, overpowered the Bosnians, yet couldn't solve Iran. A late goal makes the scoreline look better for France, but Nigeria will definitely hang around.
Prediction:
France 3 - Nigeria 1
(UPDATE: Sakho is out with an injury. Real Madrid's Varane gets the start.)
Germany vs. Algeria
I just mentioned before that I didn't think there was a more physically imposing squad in the tournament than Nigeria. Well, if that's true, then Algeria is not a distant 2nd. We tend to stereotype African teams as fast and powerful. They will try to beat you with their God-given attributes, not with skill. This team plays right into that stereotype. They overpowered South Korea in their group match, gave Belgium all it could handle, and exerted its will against the Russians during the 2nd half of their match.
All of that said, you can't bet against DAS UBER FUßBALL MACHINEN. Too much skill, too much quality, and Germany NEVER loses before the Quarterfinals. They win comfortably, and look for Müller to score again, maybe even a brace. This would be the upset of the tournament if Algeria were to find a way to keep this close.
Prediction:
Germany 4 - Algeria 0
France vs. Nigeria
I don't think there's a more physically imposing squad than the Nigerians in this tournament. This is most exemplified by their striker, Emmanuel Emenike. The matchup between him and Mamadou Sakho will be one to watch. However, the draw did not do them any favors as they have to face a French team that put on the most impressive display of football in this World Cup, while racing to a 5-0 lead against the Swiss.
I think this will be a tight game where France prevails, but not without a few scares along the way. This is a Nigerian team that gave Argentina fits, overpowered the Bosnians, yet couldn't solve Iran. A late goal makes the scoreline look better for France, but Nigeria will definitely hang around.
Prediction:
France 3 - Nigeria 1
(UPDATE: Sakho is out with an injury. Real Madrid's Varane gets the start.)
Germany vs. Algeria
I just mentioned before that I didn't think there was a more physically imposing squad in the tournament than Nigeria. Well, if that's true, then Algeria is not a distant 2nd. We tend to stereotype African teams as fast and powerful. They will try to beat you with their God-given attributes, not with skill. This team plays right into that stereotype. They overpowered South Korea in their group match, gave Belgium all it could handle, and exerted its will against the Russians during the 2nd half of their match.
All of that said, you can't bet against DAS UBER FUßBALL MACHINEN. Too much skill, too much quality, and Germany NEVER loses before the Quarterfinals. They win comfortably, and look for Müller to score again, maybe even a brace. This would be the upset of the tournament if Algeria were to find a way to keep this close.
Prediction:
Germany 4 - Algeria 0
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