Unfortunate Euro Semi-Final Result for Germany
Truly a horrible result for Germany in the semi-finals at Euro 2012. I don’t think anyone can take anything away from Italy here – they played a great game, but Germany just didn’t show up to play or at least were playing from the wrong playbook. While the game started off as expected, with quick chances at both ends – it seems like the German defense was unravelled by the 15th minute. More than one person has expressed concern at the quality of the back 4 for Germany and you didnt have to look to deep into this game to figure out why.
The first goal was ridiculous. Entirely stopable.
Three German players are on Cassano here and yet he is still able to cross the ball? Come on!
Then Badstuber is absolutely undressed by Baliotelli. I mean as a starting centre back you just cant allow yourself to get twisted like this. And why is it that there is only one defender on Baliotelli to begin with?
The second goal doesn’t hold up much better in my books.
Where are the central defenders on this play? That is Lahm and Podolski back defending…and not doing a great job of it either. You move up and spring an offside trap or…even better idea…keep your central defense back to deal with the MAJOR threat Baliotelli presents. I said from the start the biggest threat was lobs from the midfield to Baliotelli and this was a clear cut and easily preventable example.
In terms of production at the other end, I feel like there were some solid chances – but the finishing just wasnt there on the night. THere were no less than three quality chances in the box where the ball just couldnt find the back of the net. One part Italian defensive skill one part crappy inconsistent night for the German attack.
I thought that Ballack commentating for ESPN had it spot on…and Lalas followed up perfectly. Ballack felt the coach should have went with a solid 13-15 men. Low was all over the place with his team selection and it clearly hurt the confidence and chemistry of the team over the course of the tournament. If they won…Low looks like a genius. But as Lalas points out – they lose…and its time for the ‘coaching genius of Low’ to be question/examined thoroughly.
This was a failure in every sense of the word. A major setback for Germany. What lacked along the way was a solid team chemistry. The individual class of the players on the team matches up and likely beats any team at Euro 2012…but the cohesive structure and rhythm was just way off.
Positives
The German midfield is solid. Ozil is an amazing playmaker. Reus looked to be a bright shining star of the future. One has to wonder if some combination of Ozil, Gotze, Reus can’t be made to work elegantly in the midfield.
I think Gomez showed he can be trusted and in fact deserved more trust from Low on this occasion. However, one has to wonder why someone doesnt do the logical thing and get Muller trained up as a Striker rather than Center Forward/Right Wing. His scrappy play and style could work well with the elegance of the rest of the German midfield. Might do Bayern some good as well.
I think Kheidira was a real bright spark as well. He had a solid tournament and filled in where Sweini just couldnt cut it…obviously not fit to his normal standards and pulling the strings of the German defensive midfield.
Disappointments
The German defense…but particularly the central defense was horrible or in the least extremely erratic. Given that Bayern suffers from a weak back line and the majority of the German line is also the Bayern line – I suppose it is to be expected. Boateng can NOT be relied upon in any sense. He had an amazing game against Portugal…muzzling Ronaldo…but then did nothing in the really remarkable in most of the other games. Hummels had a great first few games shaking his old moniker of being a team player but not a national player. However, when it mattered most – he fell apart and regressed to the Hummels of past National teams. I think the pairings were the real problem here. I would have went with a Lahm Badstuber and Hummels Schmelzer combo – so you at least had some fluid chemistry between the parties. Still, Badstuber and Hummels on your back line – with their erratic inconsistent play just isnt going to cut it moving forward. Even Howedes would have done better in there.
I think Schweini was also a big problem. I mean the guy has had a horrible injury plagued and emotional season…so fair enough…but sit it out on the bench then. Gundogan or Kroos for Schweini would have been a moral hit…but might have produced some better quality play.
I think NOT seeing Klose shine and get his Gerd Muller record is also a heart breaker. So close…but this is pretty much definitely the final tournament for the old pro. Sad to see his passion and perseverance go…
Podolski also did nothing remarkable. He fluffed a LOT of great chances. I just dont think he is a natural left winger. He works as a co-striker or lone striker…that’s it. Having Reus in there from the start might have produced a LOT more magic.
I also didn’t see how Kroos factored into the team. Kroos for Muller in the finals is just ridiculous in my opinion. The only way I see Kroos contributing meaningfully moving forward for both Country and Club is to pull back to a defensive roll a la Schweini. He just doesnt have the pace out front to make things work.
Final Analysis
Yea – the team was the youngest at the tournament and filled with class. But, one has to wonder exactly what will get this team running smoothly in time for 2014. In my humble opinion, I think a coaching change is the only answer…