WestCoastJoe wrote:Toppy Vann wrote:
It has a lot to do with the need to get the game done and TV feeds and other games and keep the other games going. Also I suspect heat and fatigue. I have less trouble with penalty shots as a soccer coach but hated the old golden goal rule where they stopped OT on a goal.
Germany should defeat France. The only thing I don't like about Germany is not playing a pure striker with Mueller. Klose looked like he would come on but the Germans got that first goal in OT and they weren't going with a Striker with just 3 subs.
Algeria seemed to be chasing the game in the second half and in soccer that is the hardest position to play from as it is harder to play without the ball and defend and still attack. They also expended a ton of energy in frustration with calls and non-calls. A bit their national disposition but it is draining when players get frustrated. Even I as a Germany fan was waiting for a whistle in the second half and OT every time Algeria attacked. The late offside was close and Lahm fouling and grabbing that guy's shorts really impacts teams like Algeria.
I am no soccer strategist, although I did play a bit as a youth.
Heard some talk from the German coach and from their players. They credit versatility, the ability to change tactics in mid game. The ability to bring in very capable substitutes who change the game. I kind of like that the defending team does not really know where the German attackers will come from. It places a lot of responsibility on the German players to be aware. They always seem to have guys in attacking position at the right time.
Also ... physical strength. Courage. Skill. All top notch. Formidable contender.
China coverage on CCTV just revealed that some of the Algerian players were observing Ramadan requirements - yikes - that involves fasting from dawn to sunset. They didn't say how many this involved. If true, this certainly might have contributed to the cramping that was starting to show but was not with Germany like these guys.
Germany have some great subs (all starters on top teams) and they have been used with great effect. They are playing (in this tourney) a false 9 (meaning no pure goal scoring Sriker) so Klose is on the bench. It worked fantastic vs Portugal as Thomas Mueller (what they call an attacking midfielder) hammered in 3 but I honestly feel that they should play traditional German soccer - highly organized with a Striker who can sniff goals - something that was absent today as balls weren't pounced on in the box late in the game - that is what Klose can do.
I just find that with too many midfielders out there sans a pure Striker that you get too much of the same from the whole group. Not proven but I really like German with a Striker but their first game rout of Portugal gave them the boost for Loewe to sit out Klose and hope Mueller and others can score.
In the game when Schweinsteiger and Klose ( a pure Striker and scorer) came on - both added great jump and they scored in group play.
This false 9 as it is now deemed (I never heard the term during my coaching days and I have books on formations). This is a recent term for what is an old tactic.
Messi is used that way. Can't argue with that guy.
They argue that a pure Striker - alone up the park - is easily man marked and taken out of the game but it is harder to man mark say a Lionel Messi who drifts into midfield and moves around. I have man marked a team's most prolific scorer or goal scoring play maker but I don't think that is exactly why they fail to use a Striker versus play making midfielders who are more readily all goal side of the ball when the opponent attacks.
If they man mark my Striker and play a Sweeper (which we don't see much of in top soccer any more) then I push my Striker up the park to accept man marking and this creates deep 1 on 1's which I'll gladly accept as my Goalee has the Striker as his first read when he gets the ball. I've always had a fast Striker who can run the balls down and who is good in the air. My Goalee looks to see if there are 1 on 1 's or 2 on 2's and if so he punts for the open spaces wide of the top of the two. If that is not on - the second read is a toss to the backs and 3rd and final read is a punt upfield where he will try to get the ball in the air in a way the Striker can hold his defender and come back to the ball for a flick on header - easier said than done even for pros.
German keeper today made a brilliant punt up field that was low and created a corner for Germany. Pros don't caught as much outnumbered at the back or pure 1 on 1 with space for Goalees to punt too. BUT too much of that and you're "chasing the game" which is the worst scenario. You have to possess - something that Canadian soccer has lost sight of. I hate how they select and how they play now.
The subs today did the same for Germany.
