Germans take cue from unconventional coach
PARIS The running joke among Germans is that single 50-somethings across that country are set to make a run on Forever 21.
For good, bad and disgusting reasons, lovable manager/head coach Joachim Low is turning heads along the Euro 2016 touch line. His T-shirt game was strong in a convincing 2-0 win over Ukraine last week.
So strong he was asked to address his casual choice of wardrobe upon arriving here Wednesday, a day before his side’s massive tilt with Poland in Saint-Denis.
Nothing exudes poise like an all-grey, sponsorless short-sleeve shirt, ripe with pit stains that are visible to everyone watching. Talk about casual.
Having followed this German side two years ago in Brazil, I’ve seen this casual — let’s call it confident — side of Low at press conferences before.
He just watched his side completely manhandle a stingy Ukrainian team that doesn’t often lose. He knows Die Mannschaft has returned to top form.
Along with his clothes, Low’s nonchalant mannerisms also been a hot topic around the world. Cameras caught the German tactician casually reach into his pants earlier this week, pull out his hand and have a long sniff.
“It happened, I’m sorry for it! Things happen now and then and you don’t perceive them. I’m trying to behave different,” offered Low, a bit too casual he’d probably admit.
But it’s better than his counterpart’s approach. Polish bench boss Adam Nawalka didn’t really answer any questions ahead of Thursday’s match. He might not have had any.
“We’re still looking for solutions,” is how Nawalka replied after being asked for a tactical breakdown of how he’ll set up against the Germans.
Keep looking, Nawalka, nobody has been able to find any for years — something a British scribe reminded Nawalka prior to Poland’s training session at Stade de France.
The Germans are a bit like Spain circa 2010. Few people call if what it is: Tiki-taka with added power and precision.
This is a German side out to prove it — not Spain — is the best of a generation.
What makes this German side so difficult to defend is its off-ball movement and tactical indiscipline. Low rarely deploys out and out strikers or wingers or attacking midfielders. Everyone interchanges.
There’s a reason Low rostered three times as many midfielders as forwards for this tournament. Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze are always on the move, keeping opposing centrebacks’ heads on a swivel.
Rather than press up and defend and look to create turnovers, opposing defences — see Ukraine — fall back into survival mode and concede two-thirds of the pitch. And that’s when Germany’s clever enough to hurt you.
“We’re playing against one of the best teams in the world,” Nawalka added. “Every player is demonstrating a high level. We are prepared for a very difficult match.”
Just not as prepared as they could be. Word arrived Wednesday that Polish No. 1 Wojciech Szczesny has been ruled out of Thursday night’s fixture with a thigh injury.
The A.S. Roma netminder was the principle reason the Poles managed a stunning 2-0 win over Germany in qualifying.
Without him, things look considerably more grim for a side that won’t hold a majority of possession.
Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski might just have to do it alone, though the possible return of German stalwart Mats Hummels makes that much more unlikely.
“We have analyzed where our weak points were,” Low said of Germany’s rare loss to Poland in qualifying.
“The strength of Poland is they’re organized. They are waiting for counter attacks.
“They’re focused on transitions. They’re better than the Ukrainian squad because they have better players for that. They’re very fast and are one of the strongest counter-attacking teams I’ve seen.”
Lucky for Low, his side is probably the best side period. The French, the English, the Belgians — all of them left more questions than answers following adequateto-poor early tests.
The Germans, meanwhile, are in the midst of a Golden Generation that have started this tournament in the way they were expected to — calm, precise and casually confident.
Just like their manager only with considerably more style and touch line etiquette.