Germany’s Thomas Muller celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and Germany at the Green Point stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, July 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Diego Maradona once thought Thomas Müller was a ballboy, but the writing was on the wall for Argentina as early as the third minute when the German youngster headed home. It was the beginning of the end for the Argentines, as the World Cup’s most exciting team got down to business.
Time and again Germany’s pace and penetration proved decisive in their rampant 4-0 quarter-final win over Argentina, although the Albiceleste didn’t exactly help themselves by conceding such a soft opener following Bastian Schweinsteiger’s curling free-kick.
Schweinsteiger was everywhere for Joachim Löw’s side as he turned in an outstanding individual display, with the Bayern Munich midfielder deservedly winning Man of the Match honours for his impressive performance.
However, he wasn’t the only German player to make headlines – as Miroslav Klose moved to within one goal of Brazilian great Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record with a typically predatory brace.
Four years ago I watched from a packed Stuttgart café as Klose calmly scored the equaliser in Germany’s quarter-final win over Argentina, and the veteran goal-getter proved as influential as ever in Cape Town as he once again spearheaded the German attack against their South American counterparts.
Löw’s decision to persist with veteran Klose and out-of-form Köln attacker Lukas Podolski in the international arena has paid off, with their poor domestic form all but forgotten as the pair continue to play a key role in Germany’s exciting World Cup campaign.
Yet it’s the form of several youngsters that has also caught the eye, with midfielder Müller impressing not only via his goals, but also through his composure on the ball and intelligent runs into space off it.
Germany’s strength in depth was underlined against the Argentines when they introduced youngster Toni Kroos for the impressive Sami Khedira, with Kroos spending the past 18 months on loan at Bayer Leverkusen because he couldn’t break into a star-studded Bayern Munich midfield.
And it’s the injection of youth into Germany’s well-balanced side that has made them such an exciting and unpredictable team to watch.
Before the tournament kicked off, many questioned the wisdom of Löw’s enthusiastic regeneration of his squad – wondering whether the likes of Mesut Özil, Jerome Boateng, Müller and Khedira possessed the temperament to propel Germany into the latter stages of the tournament.
Such doubts have been categorically laid to rest, with Germany’s incisive counter-attacking game so far reaping four-goal hauls against Australia, England and now Argentina.
Those who insist that speed and fleet-footed attacking drive are the exclusive domain of the English Premier League are mistaken – the likes of Müller, Kroos and Piotr Trochowski are all products of the Bundesliga – a league which has contributed significantly to some of the most vibrant football played in this year’s World Cup.
Trochowski will replace the suspended Müller in the semi-final, and time will tell whether Löw’s impressive blend of youth and experience can go one step further than they did in 2006, as the Germans look to book their place in the final at Soccer City on July 11.
But with the tournament so far dominated by cagey football and cautious tactics, Germany’s approach has been a breath of fresh air, and the case could be made that they’ve been the most exciting team to date.
I’ve certainly enjoyed watching their games – the “Disaster in Durban” aside – and I eagerly await their semi-final performance to see whether Löw’s confident side can keep up their free-flowing attacking displays.
Jason Cave
Guest
When the World Cup draw came out and the Socceroos were in Germany's group, I thought to myself 'Oh my God, we're going to get thrashed', because knowing German football and its pedigree, plus its history in WC finals, meaning it was always hard for Australia to get out of that group. Even more so when the Germans announced their World Cup squad-the reaction: 'How are we going to beat this team?' This current German team is probably the best since the days of 'Der Kaiser'. It's frightening to think what would happen if a certain Michael Ballack was in the German side.
Sars
Guest
Wow, I must have missed when Dukes criticised Arnold for the Asian Cup. You've got to wonder then, if the FFA had got rid of Arnold when they hired Verbeek, would we have seen Dukes at this WC? It's not like we couldn't have used him!!
Al
Guest
The German league is very good for football purists although the EPL is probably the best league to get new people to football to watch as it is fast and action packed. Serie A and the Bundesliga are very technical and tactical, might overwhelm people not really immersed in football. La Liga is where it's at imo, such a great league.
Football_Wunderkind
Guest
Hey Midfielder, A few days before the game, my friend asked me who I think Australia should try and emulate, should try and play like. Without even thinking, I replied "Germany!" ... Then during the game versus Australia when were 2-0 down and being slaughtered, I was in an absolute state. About 5 mins before half time I stood up and looked my friend in the eye and said 'this is why we should play like Germany" ... I then proceeded to mimic all the classic football tricks and dance around like a fool pretending I was Ronaldinho or C. Ronaldo, saying "we don't need to produce footballers who do the razzle dazzle soft shoe shuffle! ... we just need to produce 20 blokes who can play a simple pass and move/run to a spot to be the 3rd player in a passing move"... Australia can do that. I remember seeing an interview with Christian Bale on the 'Batman Begins' dvd talking about the martial arts Batman uses in these new Batman movies. He says something like 'the old Batman used to do a flying spinning somersault and the punch the guy out... why waste time doing all that when you can just walk up to the bad guy and punch him out" Barcelona are like the old Batman, they get the job done but with flying somersaults and its great to watch. Germany are the new Batman... just walk up to guy and punch him out. I am all for the tricks in football and the skills moves sometimes needed but right now Australia doesn't produce these types of footballers and won't for the foreseeable future but w don't need to!
Kurt
Roar Pro
Laughed when I read this review of the AFL game between North Melbourne and Geelong. The cats played with, wait for it, "German Efficiency". Of course! http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/cats-boast-german-efficiency-20100704-zvsn.html
Roger Rational
Guest
So why is the Bundesliga ranked miles behind the Big 3 Leagues in the UEFA rankings?
Midfielder
Guest
Rinus Michels... Jason ... the father of total football... and the whole thing based on player assessment using his TIPS method.. Technical, Intelligence, perseverance and speed... at weighted at 25% ... and each player needed a certain score in each area and an overall score... IMO still the best toll for picking players ...
Midfielder
Guest
Maybe a different coach who told his players to close down space in the center of the park... and a play maker to give Messey the ball.
Midfielder
Guest
Think you could be right ... and there style suits Australia ... physical, with speed, and some half decent passing skills... Like total football from the Dutch 70's sides... but with its own variation...
Dominic Herzberg
Guest
I really can't answer why only so few german players are playing in other leagues. But i don't think that this is bad for our national team. When you have a look at the national teams of the other countries they used to buy everything good even if the players are just sitting on the bench. The quality of the national team suffers from this, sure in german teams we also have people from other countries have a look at munich with Robben, Ribery, Van Bommel and so on, but the players fit our system and we're setting them up with our younger players who can learn from them. If you have a look at the EPL where club football seems to play the most important role, most of the stars are either old or from another country. They just don't have adequate faith in youth which will destroy there dreams of winning the world or the european cup. Holland was always famous for there youth system looking at Ajax Amsterdam which produced some of the most talented football players in the world. But when those players where traded to clubs like Barcelona, ManU or Inter there talent was mostly given away because the didn't get any playing practice. Because of that fact I hope that i.e. Özil will stay at Bremen and don't change to a major club. He is getting the playing experience he needs, maybe at the age of 27-28 he can play for a bigger club, but for now the best league for him is the Bundesliga. Same goes for Müller, when he plays at Bayern he gets the opportunity to play in the CL and he is part of the starting eleven. What more can he ask for? For me the recipe to success is to build up a league with a decent amount of teams who play almost at the same level. If you have 2 or 3 dominating teams you never knew how well you really do, but if you're tested every week again and again you can improve in your playing system and style. Just my two cents :)
Damon Saunders
Roar Rookie
Kurt, I admire your ruthless insight.
El Diego
Guest
Except the KNVB doesn't play like that anymore
El Diego
Guest
No Cambiasso and Zanetti sigh. Could have stopped Schweinsteiger.
Maryn
Guest
I thought the closest translation was pig-mounter, which could be taken two ways :)
JR
Guest
That's kind of what I meant - his first instinct is always to dribble. That's fine when he's playing forward and only has one man to beat, or is playing against lower quality teams in La Liga and has plenty of space, but against top quality teams he gets crowded out. If he had a better range of passing he woud be more unpredictable and the dribbling option would still be on. Your comments about the Germans are rather high-handed - EPL fan perhaps? I expect to hear a lot more about Muller and Otzil. Schweinsteiger is already top top quality. Klose is a legend. And keep an eye on the 'keeper.
Roger Rational
Guest
We've seen before with Messi that he can be shut down when the opposition packs the defence and surrounds him. He had a run of about 10 games against EPL clubs in the CL where they basically surrounded him and stopped him playing. But that doesn't make him ordinary - it's tough to be an attacking player in a team that isn't functioning properly. Overall, I think this tournament has very much been a victory of teams over individuals. I expect most of the German team to lapse back into anonymity in European club football next season, and Messi will probably be brilliant again for Barca, but for now the team synergy of the Germans is king.
Jason Cave
Guest
The way Germany played against Argentina (and also against England & Australia in the earlier games) reminds me of the way the Netherlands played in the 1970s when the Dutch had 'Total Football', brillantly executed by the coach Rinus Michels, and also players such as the immortal Johan Cruyff. A Germany v Holland World Cup Final would be something worth staying up for.
JR
Guest
Anyone else think that Messi's game was exposed as being a bit limited, last night? Maybe I am saying nothing more than that he is not a midfielder, but the whole tournament I thought he worked poorly with the rest of the team. Comments?
Roger Rational
Guest
It will be interesting to see how Germany fare if the opposition scores first instead of gifting them early goals. So far, in both knockout games, they've been able to sit back and hit on the counter. But yes, it is indeed curious that so many of the players left in the competition - not only the Germans but also van Bommel, van der Vaart, Robben, etc - all play in the Bundesliga. Interestingly, Sven Goran Eriksson conducted fitness tests before the World Cup in 2002 and found that England's fittest player was the Bundesliga player, Owen Hargreaves. There is obviously something about the nature of the Bundesliga - the winter break, or perhaps less gruelling football - that keeps the players fresher for the summer tournaments. The other associations really ought to investigate.
Midfielder
Guest
Mike Since Ch 10 have been showing the German league I have been watching it and saying this is better than the EPl ... it is much more physical it is fast and has technical skills... Very much the TIPS ... i.e. technical;, intelligence, perseverance and speed... so the next time all the tecko heads come on board remember tips... that speed and being physical is just as important as technical skills .... Love the German league.. love watching Germany play .. and for me no real surprise ...