WC-MOTD25-P1
Day 25:-
Germany vs. Argentina: Part 1:-
The Germans are crowned Champions in a memorable 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, to the delight of a large part of the host nation and many neutrals, as Messi and co. were unable to bring the glory home!
Germany’s Coach Joachim Löw picked the same formation and tactical set-up from the previous 2 knock-out games; but, he was forced to slightly change the line-up approximately 15 minutes prior to kick-off because of a calf injury that Semi Khedira suffered during the warm-up session.
As for Argentina, Coach Alejandro Sabella also stuck with his tried-and-tested tactical layout from the previous games; however, in comparison the semi-final against the Dutch, coach Sabella decided to play Enzo Pérez and Lavezzi out wide this time, as opposed to the former playing in a central midfield triangle and the latter as a support striker.
The final got underway with a high tempo to it; Germany playing a high-block game and controlling most of the possession, and Argentina defending deep while looking to break quickly on the counter.
The Argentineans were successfully exploiting the space and lack of pace down Germany’s left defensive side as they looked to make the most of Benedikt Höwedes’ (a natural CB) lack of experience in an LB role; however, they were short of physical presence in the box, and that lead to them being unable to convert some dangerous crosses from the right attacking flank.
The Germans were moving well forward, opting to cross more into the box than to play through balls on the ground in an attempt for Klose to perhaps expose Demichelis’ defensive weaknesses; but they were incapable of getting that final touch into the box correctly.
There were some physical tussles about midway through the first half that slowed down the game’s tempo constantly, while Gonzalo Higuaín missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Toni Kroos mistakenly headed the ball back into his own box.
Germany were probing for spaces just around the opposition’s box and were using the full width of the pitch while they patiently passed the ball around in midfield. It did seem apparent at the time that they needed a bit more urgency going forward.
Argentina, meanwhile, were still defending deep and relying on counter-attacks from the back; but they weren’t very effective when they actually broke play forward.
As the half came to an end, the game became much more open as both sides began to attack with more flair and potency either end of the pitch.
Argentina pressed slightly higher up the pitch in the final few minutes after Germany’s Christoph Kramer (who was having a rather good game) was forced off due to a concussion; ironic given how he was brought in to replace the injured Khedira!
Given Germany’s lack of DMs on the bench now, Toni Kroos had to drop deep and play in the 2nd DM role in front of the German backline, with Özil deputizing in the AM role (his favored position if you may) and Andre Schürrle being subbed-in and deployed on the left side of attack as the Germans looked to regroup.
All in all, Germany played with real attacking grit in the first half and were very unlucky to lose those players to injury in such a short space of time. They played well in offense but were constantly unable to provide the correct final touch in and around the opposition’s final third. Their defense was not that bad either, but sometimes seemed flustered and unable to easily deal with Argentina’s pace out wide.
The Argentineans executed their game plan almost perfectly, and they were considerably stable at the back for the most part (Demichelis proving to be the weakest link though). In midfield, they were better at tracking back than going forward at times; and in attack, they did not hold anything back as they constantly ran at the German defenders and sometimes caused havoc in their box.
However, Argentina's clear lack of attacking physical presence in the box, largely as a result of Higuaín having to drift wide to draw defenders out of position, was hindering their chances of converting the numerous good deliveries they provided.
Germany vs. Argentina: Part 1:-
The Germans are crowned Champions in a memorable 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, to the delight of a large part of the host nation and many neutrals, as Messi and co. were unable to bring the glory home!
Germany’s Coach Joachim Löw picked the same formation and tactical set-up from the previous 2 knock-out games; but, he was forced to slightly change the line-up approximately 15 minutes prior to kick-off because of a calf injury that Semi Khedira suffered during the warm-up session.
As for Argentina, Coach Alejandro Sabella also stuck with his tried-and-tested tactical layout from the previous games; however, in comparison the semi-final against the Dutch, coach Sabella decided to play Enzo Pérez and Lavezzi out wide this time, as opposed to the former playing in a central midfield triangle and the latter as a support striker.
The final got underway with a high tempo to it; Germany playing a high-block game and controlling most of the possession, and Argentina defending deep while looking to break quickly on the counter.
The Argentineans were successfully exploiting the space and lack of pace down Germany’s left defensive side as they looked to make the most of Benedikt Höwedes’ (a natural CB) lack of experience in an LB role; however, they were short of physical presence in the box, and that lead to them being unable to convert some dangerous crosses from the right attacking flank.
The Germans were moving well forward, opting to cross more into the box than to play through balls on the ground in an attempt for Klose to perhaps expose Demichelis’ defensive weaknesses; but they were incapable of getting that final touch into the box correctly.
There were some physical tussles about midway through the first half that slowed down the game’s tempo constantly, while Gonzalo Higuaín missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Toni Kroos mistakenly headed the ball back into his own box.
Germany were probing for spaces just around the opposition’s box and were using the full width of the pitch while they patiently passed the ball around in midfield. It did seem apparent at the time that they needed a bit more urgency going forward.
Argentina, meanwhile, were still defending deep and relying on counter-attacks from the back; but they weren’t very effective when they actually broke play forward.
As the half came to an end, the game became much more open as both sides began to attack with more flair and potency either end of the pitch.
Argentina pressed slightly higher up the pitch in the final few minutes after Germany’s Christoph Kramer (who was having a rather good game) was forced off due to a concussion; ironic given how he was brought in to replace the injured Khedira!
Given Germany’s lack of DMs on the bench now, Toni Kroos had to drop deep and play in the 2nd DM role in front of the German backline, with Özil deputizing in the AM role (his favored position if you may) and Andre Schürrle being subbed-in and deployed on the left side of attack as the Germans looked to regroup.
All in all, Germany played with real attacking grit in the first half and were very unlucky to lose those players to injury in such a short space of time. They played well in offense but were constantly unable to provide the correct final touch in and around the opposition’s final third. Their defense was not that bad either, but sometimes seemed flustered and unable to easily deal with Argentina’s pace out wide.
The Argentineans executed their game plan almost perfectly, and they were considerably stable at the back for the most part (Demichelis proving to be the weakest link though). In midfield, they were better at tracking back than going forward at times; and in attack, they did not hold anything back as they constantly ran at the German defenders and sometimes caused havoc in their box.
However, Argentina's clear lack of attacking physical presence in the box, largely as a result of Higuaín having to drift wide to draw defenders out of position, was hindering their chances of converting the numerous good deliveries they provided.
Ahmad Al-Omar - 14. Jul, 10:26
