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
Redback
Guest
Spain will win 1-0 and score in the 72 minute.
Gingerbeer
Guest
haha you were right they pushed the ball wide and squeezed the midfield. That was good management by the Spanish boss, Lowe didnt know what to do I thought he would change it up at half time.
Midfielder
Guest
The 'Psychic' octopus tips Spain to beat Germany ... who am I to argue with the Octopus... So Spain it is.. http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/psychic-octopus-tips-spain-to-beat-germany-20100707-zza5.html?autostart=1
The Special One
Guest
A a neutral, a Netherlands v Spain final would be great as it means a new champion from two countries that deserve it. A Netherlands v Germany final would also be great as the rivalry between the two countries is second to none !! Who would be disappointed though if the germans won it playing they way they have though? So may the best team win !!
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
That's a fine prediction sheek - regardless of how you made it. I went for a Brazil-Spain final, so my hopes are gone. I also said Argentina would beat Germany, so don't blame me for sitting on the fence for this one. It is worthy of a final this one - I've found that as we get deeper into the tournament, the tactics become important because the difference in skill between each team lessens. It's a good question you pose on the psychology of the occasion as I think we've already seen the European nations expose some of the South Americans in the knockout stages. As a couple of others have pointed out, Paul picked Germany to beat Spain in the Euro 08 final - and it was wrong! I don't think many questioned the Socceroos' loss to Germany - there's a massive class difference. But I know I questioned the effort, passion and desire of the team. Irrelevant now, you make a good point. Not to mention the Socceroos were the last team to beat the Dutch also!
sheek
Guest
Thank you Dejan, for the wonderful analysis above. As someone still evolving in the finer points of football, I thoroughly digested it..... burp! Before the tournament began, I tipped a Holland-Spain final. Not because I'm an expert, but it was the romantic in me. Holland & Spain both happened to be playing well going into the tournament. Holland had been to the final twice without success, while Spain were the 'missing link' - the one great football nation who had constantly underperformed at the world cup. Continuing my romantic notions, Holland would eventually break through for their first world cup win, while Spain would have laid down a platform for future WCs. But Germany are the fly in the ointment here. This semi-final between Germany & Spain is worthy of the final, with all due respects to the Dutch. How it will pan out, is anybody's guess. However, I reckon Spain are right in it, despite being the less impressive throughout the tournament. The Germans are generally young & impetuous - how will they cope if things don't immediately go to plan? Also, this is the serious end of the business. Suddenly, the weight of expectation becomes very heavy indeed. Who will handle it better? Paul the octopus has tipped Spain, you say? Well, that can be both good & bad. Either he's going to retain his 100% strike rate, or he's bound to get one wrong eventually..... ! BTW, the Socceroos are looking much better on reflection. Not only did we go out in the pools, but so did the 2006 finalists Italy & France. Not only did Germany put 4 goals past us, but also against England & Argentina. We're in good company here!!! Any finally, the progress of pool partners Ghana & old sparring partners Uruguay, demonstrates our team can mix with these guys. Although, we still have some way to go to be consistently good. I'm still tipping a Holland-Spain final. But I won't be surprised if Germany gets the other final spot either!
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Nice call on the Germans - if they beat Spain it's win/win for the Socceroos. Germany - only loss, three times in three World Cup's Netherlands - last team to beat them
Art Sapphire
Guest
Can you imagine Miron Bleiberg managing a team at the World Cup. The press conferences would become diplomatic battlegrounds :)
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I'm going for the Germans so I won't be making any phone calls. Makes me feel better about myself if the only team the Roos lost too won the World Cup. Of course Italy in 06 was different, I was backing everyone who played them.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Very valid Zac. I think most of us are concluding Torres will start now, but that's a nice point - something to look out for no doubt!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
The A league managers world cup....at least we know what team Ricky Herbert would coach. And as much as I bag Mitchell I think he would do a better job of motivating the French than everybody loves Raymond. If Anelka swore at Mitchell i would imagine Mitchell would swear back at him their would be a bit of a dust up they would get it out of their system and then it would be business as usual.
Zac
Guest
you can also look at it anpther way, defences may lose their concentration slightly when Torres gets subsituted. They're probably all working hard to keep him at bay so when he's replaced defences may mentally relax.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Dejan - Maradona got his no width tactics off Ernie Merrick :) If Lavicka was in charge of Germany they still would have won. I've got Holland in the sweep I'm of the opinion Holland would rather play Germany than Spain in the final as their football is more predictable. Which means that Spain will win tomorrow and the the final. I predict Del Bosque will start with Torres as managers are stubborn by nature and he wants to be proven right.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Undoubtedly - someone ring del Bosque and tell him to start Torres! He's lucky though, the manager, because although he is doing "better" centrally, he is doing superbly on the left too! If he wasn't, Spain would probably be out of the tournament!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
That's what I would do. Villa seems to be doing better playing centrally. Torres to score a brace in the first half now :)
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
So you want Torres out, Fabregas in and Villa to the top?
Fisher Price
Guest
Del Bosque would be mad to leave out Fabregas.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
You're right, they haven't been good at scoring - but they have always found a goal (except against Switzerland - off the top of my head). They did defend very compact against Argentina, but the Argies were so predictable they could have done it with their eyes closed. The ball went (or tried to) straight through the middle almost every time - I'd like to see Spain try and put in some flat, fast crosses from the flanks as well - see if it can bring an error. Just continue to be different because otherwise the Germans will pick them off - over and over again! Nice prediction. You could be right.
Gingerbeer
Guest
Ozil, Muller, Podolski are devestating in the midfiled but not having Muller cant be a massive problem for the Germans. The German counter is awesome and have put Australia, England and the Argies to the sword. The Spanish have to crowd the midfield and play a deep defensive line. The problem with that is that they have not been great at scoring. If its 0-0 at half time German will want to win in regular time and feel they have to push men forward to attack the Spanish could them have to hit early in the second half this is the only chance I can see Spain get up Villa is a great finisher and I rate him better than Klose. Villa doesnt miss and will only need one chance. I would certainly start with Torres and see what form he is in but picking maybe few and far between. If Germany score early its all over One of the impressive points agaisnt the Argies is the fact that the Argies didnt score Germany soaked up the pressure and kept a clean sheet. My head say Germany 2 - 0 But my heart say 2-1 Spain. It will be a great game with the mid field battle and it going to be the clincher ( like most games) as to who gets up.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
I've said stick with Torres, stick with Torres - but in the last couple of games, Villa has scored after Torres was substituted.