History doesn’t favor Germans repeating as World Cup titlists
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who started all seven games in Brazil four years ago, soon could join that list because of a knee injury in last week’s game with Austria.
“Those players, they were essential for the World Cup trophy,” said Gundogan, who missed the 2014 tournament because of a back injury. “The real challenge is not to replace these kinds of players. But in Germany, we have a lot of talent, so the potential is definitely there. “It’s up to us to show it.”
Indeed, depth may be Germany’s strength. The team won the Confederations Cup — an eight-team, pre-world Cup tournament — in Russia last summer with what was basically a “B” team. But that, too, may be a bad omen; no Confederations Cup winner has repeated as World Cup champion.
“You can do it,” said former Argentine international Mario Kempes. “But doing it is difficult.”
Kempes scored a tournament-high six goals — including two in the final — to lead Argentina to a World Cup title in 1978. Four years later, Argentina was knocked out in the second round.
“We didn’t have the same mentality that we did in 1978. And we didn’t have the best players,” he explained. “Everyone plays with the objective of being champion. But it’s difficult to do.
“Everything depends on your mentality.”
That mentality can be shaped by expectation. Four years ago, Brazil, playing at home, was a strong World Cup favorite, and its players wilted under the pressure, stumbling into the semifinals where it was pummeled 7-1 by Germany.
This summer, that pressure falls on Germany, which has been ranked No. 1 in the world for much of the last four years.
“It’s a hell of a lot easier when you’re the underdog,” said Herculez Gomez, the Las Vegas soccer product who played in three World Cup games for the U.S. “When you’re the top dog and you have a target on your back, every single move will be scrutinized, will be talked about, will be analyzed.
“You’re really in a no-win situation.” Germany appears equipped to handle it given the steady hand at the wheel.
Low provides firm direction
Joachim Low has coached the national team since 2006, guiding it not just to World Cup and Confederations Cup titles, but to the semifinals of three consecutive European Championships and a third-place finish in the 2010 World Cup. It is arguably the most impressive coaching resume in international soccer history.
And even after the roster turnover of the last four years, the team Low will lead in Russia will be among the deepest and most experienced in the tournament.
“The best way for me to deal with (pressure) was just to focus from game to game,” Schweinsteiger said. “The coach knows what to do.”
Put it all together — a deep roster, seasoned players, the most successful coach in international soccer with experience in handling pressure — and it’s hard not to see Germany defying history by winning again.
And that’s exactly what Gomez expects.
“They’re good enough and they’re supposed to win. Most likely they get there and they do win.
“That’s a machine you’re talking about. This German team is unlike any I’ve seen.”