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The forwards of the German nationa soccer team nominated for the World Cup. AP Photos
Germany has played the most exciting football at the World Cup, but some betting markets are yet to make it favourite to win the tournament. Its semi-final opponent, Spain, is favourite for this clash too, but how does it go about overcoming the German machine?
Some of these suggestions are probably easier said than done. But given the Germans have actually been beaten once this tournament, against Serbia, perhaps there is a way around them.
The first recommendation would be to play a 4-5-1 formation.
Serbia changed its formation for the game to deploy five in midfield, and it worked. Spain has generally played a 4-5-1 at this tournament with star goal scorer David Villa forced out left.
But given the poor form of Fernando Torres, Vincent Del Bosque may instead opt for Cesc Fabregas in midfield with Villa at the top. Suggestions would also point to playing two deep-lying midfielders, but with five in the middle it is naturally going to happen.
The Spanish need to stay compact as a team defence, much like Germany does – for a full game. The slightest lapse will be exposed, as Argentina was inside three minutes in the quarterfinal.
It will lead to very little space for Germany, probably negating the brilliance that has been Mesut Ozil, as well as Miroslav Klose, in this tournament.
Also defensively, showing Lukas Podolski on to his right foot would do no harm. It’s a simple aspect of football, but it can be an extremely effective one.
Generally, playing such a game will lead to a team being dominated in terms of possession.
Spain would be expected to have more of the ball, but being drawn too far is a risk the Germans will exploit on the counter. The suspended Thomas Muller is undoubtedly a big loss.
Going forward, the Spanish need to spread the Germans and be unpredictable.
Argentina wasn’t, while England arguably was – it attacked from different positions but wasn’t successful. It means using wingers, putting in diagonal balls from different positions – long and short. It also means hitting long shots to test the keeper.
If they spread the defensive line enough, they could expose the centre of the German defence.
The pairing of Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich has been relatively unexposed thanks to the work of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira in holding roles.
But moving the ball around can lead to spreading and separating the defensive midfielders. Ideally in a knockout game, the first goal would do wonders.
The one other target area for Spain would be exposing Phillip Lahm’s side of defence.
He has still shown the ability to move forward and play in some wonderful balls and needs to be kept on the back foot. It could be a tactical struggle – which some of us will like.
Paul the Octopus, who still holds a 100 per cent record, tipped Spain.
How will it play out? More importantly, who will win?
The forwards of the German nationa soccer team nominated for the World Cup. AP Photos
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