Struggling Germany lacks leadership
Defending champions could be eliminated from World Cup with weekend loss to Sweden
There are a number of big games scheduled for this weekend, but none bigger than Saturday’s clash between Germany and Sweden, as the world champions could find themselves eliminated with a loss.
Germany naturally came into the tournament as one of the favourites, despite an unimpressive run of results in friendlies. It’s Germany after all, and coach Joachim Low still has most of the core players from 2014’s championship side.
It was assumed that when the opening whistle blew against Mexico, the real Germany would show up. It didn’t.
The Germans lacked intensity and seemed baffled by a Mexican side that had changed its style of play from what Low had prepared for. Mexico was expected to play a high pressing line and patient possession soccer.
Instead, Mexico sat back and counter-attacked quickly, finding acres of space as German centre backs Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng were left to fend for themselves. Germany failed to adapt, failed to create quality chances and lost, with Mexico full value for the win.
What Germany seems to be missing is leadership. The three key players the squad has lost since 2014 are Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose, all influential figures. The German team captain now is Manuel Neuer, but as a goalkeeper, he’s not exactly in a central position. He needs help from outfield players like Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira.
As for new additions, there are many good young players on the roster, but Low has mostly stuck with his veterans. An exception is brilliant young RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who is preferred to the more experienced Mario Gomez.
Meanwhile, left-winger Julian Draxler, a young up-and-comer four years ago, is now a starter.
If there’s a weak spot, it’s at left back, where Marvin Plattenhardt competes with Jonas Hector. In 2014, there wasn’t even a recognized left back on the German roster. It seems strange, especially in looking back to the great West Germany teams of 30 and 40 years ago, with the brilliant Andreas Brehmer at left back and Paul Breitner before him.
Sweden is fielding a capable and well-balanced team with no real standout players. Gone is superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Sweden is doing just fine.
When Ibrahimovic was there and in his prime, Sweden failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.
Now Sweden has a chance to knock off Germany. If it does, it will be because of a solid team effort on its part, and not enough effort on Germany’s.