Germany focused on upsetting Ronaldo
GERMANY know they must curb Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s dizzying runs down the left in their Euro 2012 Group B opener tomorrow but their shaky defence has yet to show it is up to the task.
Coach Joachim Loew has a wealth of midfield talent but far fewer options in defence with a final decision on his centre backs still pending as Germany bid for a fourth European crown in a tough group that also includes Netherlands and Denmark.
While Holger Badstuber looks set to start at the heart of the German backline, speculation over his partner continues.
Fellow Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is likely to switch to the right, a position he is uncomfortable with, to make way for central defender Per Mertesacker. Lars Bender could also be an option at right back, Loew said yesterday.
The experienced Mertesacker, however, has hardly played since an ankle injury in February and looked completely out of place in the 5-3 friendly defeat by Switzerland last month.
Captain Philipp Lahm will shift from his usual slot on the right to left back, which is not his preferred position.
“We will need to talk a lot on the pitch and to support each other,” Mertesacker said. “I am experienced in understanding what the team needs.”
“We have angered him (Ronaldo) a few times in the past and we must do it again. What we should not do is give him too many one-on-one situations.”
The defence will rely on holding midfielders Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger to get early tackles in on Ronaldo, though ‘Schweini’ is far from his best after nursing a nagging thigh problem for two weeks in a season sprinkled with injuries.
“We have to go to him (Ronaldo) early and take away any space he has,” said his club team-mate Khedira.
“Basically, we need to spoil his enjoyment. He is Portuguese and the Portuguese do not function that well when they do not enjoy themselves.
“I have never seen anyone else who has Cristiano’s talent and confidence. He can just do everything. I think you can never completely shut out a player like Ronaldo.”
For Portugal, the key to success against Germany will be how Ronaldo plays his part in his team’s collective effort.
The forward has said Portugal’s aim is to win the tournament after coming close as hosts in 2004 when they were upset by outsiders Greece in the Lisbon final.
The Portuguese, however, have not been impressive in their last two friendlies, drawing 0-0 against lowly Macedonia and losing 3-1 to Turkey on June 2.
“We want to go as far as possible, and our first objective is the quarter-finals, that is what is set out at the moment,” said Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
Meanwhile, wily Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk believes Denmark know his side too well but is not about to fiddle with his tried and tested formula for a Euro 2012 Group B opener which he has labelled “the most important game”.
Netherlands want a fast start against the modest Danes in Kharkiv tomorrow to get points on the board before the trickier encounters ahead.
Van Marwijk is aware that 1992 winners Denmark are dangerous on their day and Morten Olsen’s men have all the information they could ever need on their orange-clad foes.
“A lot of their players play in Holland and also in other European leagues, their style of play is a little bit the same, both teams respect each other,” Van Marwijk said.
“For me it is the most important game.”
The Netherlands will unleash their armoury of potent weapons including Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, whose silky skills have been wowing the vast crowds at their training sessions in Krakow and helped destroy Northern Ireland 6-0 in their last friendly.
The Danes believe they offer enough of a threat to stun the Dutch, especially with their defence looking shaky given Mathijsen’s injury and left back Jetro Willems in line to pick up only his second cap.
“There are a lot of players who can take charge in midfield, and provide both goals and assists,” said Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, who has six goals in his last eight internationals.
POLES nationwide will hope their team get the Euro 2012 party started with a bang when they take on Greece in the impressive National Stadium in the tournament’s opener tonight at 6pm.
Like South Africa two years ago for the World Cup, an opening draw kept the nation hooked but interest dwindled when results started to go against them.
Poland’s football enthusiasm stretches further than just their own team but an opening loss to their much higherranked opponents would be deflating.
Poland have every chance of progressing from a very openlooking Group A which also contains Russia and Czech Republic, who meet later in Wroclaw at 8.45pm. – Reuters JERMAIN Defoe will fly home to London after the striker was rocked by the news that his father Jimmy has died.
The Tottenham star could now miss the opening game against France on Monday, with the 29-year-old granted permission to leave England’s base in Poland to be with his family.
Defoe was part of manager Roy Hodgson’s 23-man party who arrived in Krakow on Wednesday but is expected to return “in due course”.
A statement from the Football Association read: “England striker Jermain Defoe has returned home to England this morning following the passing of his father overnight.
“Jermain will re-join the England Euro squad in due course. There will be no replacement player called in.”
Defoe’s father, who was believed to have been ill for some time, was aged 49.
Tottenham passed on their condolences to the forward. A statement on their official website read: “Everyone at the Club sends their sincere condolences to Jermain and his family.”
Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez insists he wants to stay at Manchester City despite craving an eventual return to Boca Juniors.
The striker worked his way back into Roberto Mancini’s plans last season after five months out in the cold.
He eventually made a return to the City team to help them to the Premier League title.
But some fans remain unhappy at his five-month exile from the club over his attempts to secure a move away.
Tevez has now claimed that wants to stay on beyond this summer – with boss Mancini admitting he could go.
Yet, he has again hinted that he will eventually pursue a move back to his former club Boca.
He said: “My biggest wish is to finish my career in the Boca shirt. I am still thinking the same as when I left, I want to retire here. Now the fans should enjoy the team’s success. I am here for whatever Boca need.
“But I finished the season very happy in England.
“I am feeling good, I have no desire to leave. My family are happy in England.” – Daily Mail