WC-MOTD18
Day 18:-
Germany vs. Algeria:-
Action, Comedy, Drama…you name it! This game had almost all the elements of a true WC match!
From a tactical point of view, German Coach Joachim Löw decided to, yet again, deploy a “false nine” system with only one notable change in personnel from the USA game; namely Mustafi playing in the RB position, as Boateng had to move to the CB role due to Hummels’ late illness.
The real talking point in terms of tactics was Algeria’s set-up. Coach Vahid Halilhodžić opted for a 5-man defense (which they’ve deployed earlier in this WC) and decided to add a real element of offensive grit by placing Feghouli at the tip of their midfield as an attacking playmaker with a totally free role. Dinamo Zagreb forward Soudani was shifted to the left side in favor of the versatile and multi-talented Djabou.
It did not take long for Coach Halilhodžić’s tactical outlay to come into full effect; as Algeria began catching Germany’s backline off-guard with their ultimate pace and pressing, sending-in numerous long balls behind a static and (somewhat) flat German defense!
Germany’s midfield players were unable to slow Algeria’s high-tempo game; for they were struggling to hold onto possession, with their key midfielders being tightly marked by several Algerians.
At times, Manuel Neuer had to act as a pure sweeper and come to the German defense’s aid; clearing those long balls every time they flew over Boateng and Mertesacker.
Germany began to regain some control of the game as the half progressed; playing with extreme width and dictating play from midfield with more freedom.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s poor finishing in front of goal hurt them badly; because they could have been leading at the time, and they wasted some really good chances.
On a whole, the Algerians started the first half more brightly and were better on a tactical and technical level. Their long vertical balls were working wonders for them as the Algerians’ pace was just too much to handle for Germany’s defense. However, they did somewhat retreat into their own half and drop their intensity at a time when they should have been gone after that first goal they so rightly deserved!
The Germans were all over the place in defense, with Shkodran Mustafi having a horrible game in particular; as he constantly left gaping holes at the back. The entire backline was looking increasingly vulnerable and unable to effectively stop Algeria’s offensive moves; Neuer rescuing them time and time again.
Moreover, their build-up play was not fast enough, and their midfielders were suffocating to find the right spaces in order to get a proper passing rhythm going. Also, the lack of pure offensive physical presence in Algeria’s box was hurting their chances of scoring a goal; as, once again, Coach Löw’s insistence on playing with a “striker-less” system back-fired.
Schürrle’s introduction (on for the rather ineffective Götze), right after the half-time break, completely changed the Germans’ game dynamic!
They looked much more compact in dealing with Algeria’s attacking attempts and were quickly able to find a proper balance to counter Algeria’s pace on the flanks.
It was a completely different second half from Germany’s point of view; clearly dominating play with their possession of the ball as they built attacks from the back slowly, using the full width of the pitch while they probed for spaces in between Algeria’s defensive lines.
However, they were still not a 100% stable in defense, with Neuer having to act, once more, as a sweeper to crucially cover-up for his team-mates’ inadequacies at the back.
Algeria were not playing with the same intensity from the first half so far; seemingly tactically regressing amidst some deep defending from the Germans.
More and more spaces started to open-up as Algeria began pressing forward and both teams went for a win!
That high tempo did not last for very long though; as the game slowly faded out. The Germans were creating numerous concrete chances in front of goal but ultimately lacked some clinical finishing. The Boateng-Mertesacker CB-pairing was enjoying a horrible day at the office; but, luckily for them, the Algerians were nowhere near precise enough with their passing, as fatigue began to kick-in.
Germany were the better team in the second half, with the substitution of Götze proving to be vital in terms of them having more width, balance and urgency in their play. However, they were not very lethal in front of goal, given all the chances they had, and should have considered themselves lucky to have even reached extra-time; as Neuer had to act as the hero for them on more than one occasion.
Algeria did not react well, tactically speaking, to Germany’s changes; but they were still dangerous on the break and via long balls, and should have taken the lead were it not for some poor finishing. They defended in a compact and well-organized manner; yet they somehow kept leaving holes in their defense, every now and then, amidst some lapses in concentration.
The first half of extra-time barely got a start before Germany were in front; Müller forcing his way into Algeria’s box down the left side and sending-in a low cross for Schürrle to back-heel it sideways for a 1-0 lead!
The rest of it saw the Germans withstand Algeria’s now increased pressure; but the Algerians themselves seemed short of attacking ideas as their energy levels began to drain at that point.
Furthermore, their inability to hold onto possession properly only made things worse for them; because they were unable to create any real chances from open play.
Meanwhile, Germany were slowing the game’s tempo every time they got hold of the ball in an attempt to force Algeria into “submission”.
The Algerians kept pressing and throwing bodies forward as the game came to an end; but, due to some timid finishing skills, they were unable to make the most of some really good chances they had, with exhaustion now fully taking over.
Two quick goals from either team amidst some sloppy (and tired) defending brought the game to an end; the Germans’ fitness and energy levels being, probably, the real reason why they were able to, eventually, overcome an overachieving, yet resilient, Algerian side.
It was a deserved win for Germany, all in all; for they showed real spirit and tactical (as well as technical) nous in coming back into the game and out-playing their opponents for the remainder of the game after a rather poor performance in the first half.
Algeria will probably feel undone by some heroic defensive skills from GK-turned-libero Manuel Neuer; but, truly, they only have themselves to blame as they should have pushed on with their intensity from the first half going into the second, and were too late in bringing on the needed substitutes!
Man of the match: Manuel Neuer: The true definition of a “modern day” goalkeeper. He was probably one of the best performers from the German team and, were it not for his brilliant all-round defensive display, Germany would have been on an early flight back home!
Germany vs. Algeria:-
Action, Comedy, Drama…you name it! This game had almost all the elements of a true WC match!
From a tactical point of view, German Coach Joachim Löw decided to, yet again, deploy a “false nine” system with only one notable change in personnel from the USA game; namely Mustafi playing in the RB position, as Boateng had to move to the CB role due to Hummels’ late illness.
The real talking point in terms of tactics was Algeria’s set-up. Coach Vahid Halilhodžić opted for a 5-man defense (which they’ve deployed earlier in this WC) and decided to add a real element of offensive grit by placing Feghouli at the tip of their midfield as an attacking playmaker with a totally free role. Dinamo Zagreb forward Soudani was shifted to the left side in favor of the versatile and multi-talented Djabou.
It did not take long for Coach Halilhodžić’s tactical outlay to come into full effect; as Algeria began catching Germany’s backline off-guard with their ultimate pace and pressing, sending-in numerous long balls behind a static and (somewhat) flat German defense!
Germany’s midfield players were unable to slow Algeria’s high-tempo game; for they were struggling to hold onto possession, with their key midfielders being tightly marked by several Algerians.
At times, Manuel Neuer had to act as a pure sweeper and come to the German defense’s aid; clearing those long balls every time they flew over Boateng and Mertesacker.
Germany began to regain some control of the game as the half progressed; playing with extreme width and dictating play from midfield with more freedom.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s poor finishing in front of goal hurt them badly; because they could have been leading at the time, and they wasted some really good chances.
On a whole, the Algerians started the first half more brightly and were better on a tactical and technical level. Their long vertical balls were working wonders for them as the Algerians’ pace was just too much to handle for Germany’s defense. However, they did somewhat retreat into their own half and drop their intensity at a time when they should have been gone after that first goal they so rightly deserved!
The Germans were all over the place in defense, with Shkodran Mustafi having a horrible game in particular; as he constantly left gaping holes at the back. The entire backline was looking increasingly vulnerable and unable to effectively stop Algeria’s offensive moves; Neuer rescuing them time and time again.
Moreover, their build-up play was not fast enough, and their midfielders were suffocating to find the right spaces in order to get a proper passing rhythm going. Also, the lack of pure offensive physical presence in Algeria’s box was hurting their chances of scoring a goal; as, once again, Coach Löw’s insistence on playing with a “striker-less” system back-fired.
Schürrle’s introduction (on for the rather ineffective Götze), right after the half-time break, completely changed the Germans’ game dynamic!
They looked much more compact in dealing with Algeria’s attacking attempts and were quickly able to find a proper balance to counter Algeria’s pace on the flanks.
It was a completely different second half from Germany’s point of view; clearly dominating play with their possession of the ball as they built attacks from the back slowly, using the full width of the pitch while they probed for spaces in between Algeria’s defensive lines.
However, they were still not a 100% stable in defense, with Neuer having to act, once more, as a sweeper to crucially cover-up for his team-mates’ inadequacies at the back.
Algeria were not playing with the same intensity from the first half so far; seemingly tactically regressing amidst some deep defending from the Germans.
More and more spaces started to open-up as Algeria began pressing forward and both teams went for a win!
That high tempo did not last for very long though; as the game slowly faded out. The Germans were creating numerous concrete chances in front of goal but ultimately lacked some clinical finishing. The Boateng-Mertesacker CB-pairing was enjoying a horrible day at the office; but, luckily for them, the Algerians were nowhere near precise enough with their passing, as fatigue began to kick-in.
Germany were the better team in the second half, with the substitution of Götze proving to be vital in terms of them having more width, balance and urgency in their play. However, they were not very lethal in front of goal, given all the chances they had, and should have considered themselves lucky to have even reached extra-time; as Neuer had to act as the hero for them on more than one occasion.
Algeria did not react well, tactically speaking, to Germany’s changes; but they were still dangerous on the break and via long balls, and should have taken the lead were it not for some poor finishing. They defended in a compact and well-organized manner; yet they somehow kept leaving holes in their defense, every now and then, amidst some lapses in concentration.
The first half of extra-time barely got a start before Germany were in front; Müller forcing his way into Algeria’s box down the left side and sending-in a low cross for Schürrle to back-heel it sideways for a 1-0 lead!
The rest of it saw the Germans withstand Algeria’s now increased pressure; but the Algerians themselves seemed short of attacking ideas as their energy levels began to drain at that point.
Furthermore, their inability to hold onto possession properly only made things worse for them; because they were unable to create any real chances from open play.
Meanwhile, Germany were slowing the game’s tempo every time they got hold of the ball in an attempt to force Algeria into “submission”.
The Algerians kept pressing and throwing bodies forward as the game came to an end; but, due to some timid finishing skills, they were unable to make the most of some really good chances they had, with exhaustion now fully taking over.
Two quick goals from either team amidst some sloppy (and tired) defending brought the game to an end; the Germans’ fitness and energy levels being, probably, the real reason why they were able to, eventually, overcome an overachieving, yet resilient, Algerian side.
It was a deserved win for Germany, all in all; for they showed real spirit and tactical (as well as technical) nous in coming back into the game and out-playing their opponents for the remainder of the game after a rather poor performance in the first half.
Algeria will probably feel undone by some heroic defensive skills from GK-turned-libero Manuel Neuer; but, truly, they only have themselves to blame as they should have pushed on with their intensity from the first half going into the second, and were too late in bringing on the needed substitutes!
Man of the match: Manuel Neuer: The true definition of a “modern day” goalkeeper. He was probably one of the best performers from the German team and, were it not for his brilliant all-round defensive display, Germany would have been on an early flight back home!
Ahmad Al-Omar - 1. Jul, 00:50
