If anything, due to events of the past week, this game, along with being one of the ties of the tournament, will be a battle for survival for one of the two teams involved.
Progression from the Group of Death doesn’t come easily. Controlling possession and attacking with flair might not be enough to win. What is required more than anything is a way to win no matter how ugly it is. This is the only group in which the opening day results yielded two victories.
The narrow nature of the score-lines (1-0 in both games) tells us just how tight this group is. Germany beat Netherlands 3-0 last year in a friendly. This year due to changes and several problems for both sides, that result in most likelihood will not occur. Netherlands with a loss will, unless some miracle occurs, be out of this competition before the last round of fixtures occurs.
Germany and Denmark both had one common feature to their play in the first round of matches. Both teams defended doggedly when the opposition attacked. Try as they might the Portuguese and the Dutch could not find ways to overcome the likes of Mats Hummels and Simon Kjaer in the respective back fours. Up front, Denmark made their one excellent chance count as did Germany.
Germany lacked what it is known for on the 9th of June: flair in attack. Their attack was terrible and couldn’t find their rhythm without Miroslav Klose, who couldn’t play due to fitness problems. Mario Gomez can score goals but he is one-dimensional nonetheless. Expect Loew’s patience to wear out after the first half if Gomez doesn’t find the net against the Dutch.
Rumours surrounding this match suggest that Bastian Schweinsteiger might not start. Question marks have been raised over the Bayern man’s fitness since mid March. He injured himself against Chelsea and only played for the first time since that fateful day against Portugal. Loew might feel that against a Dutch said that is not lacking in midfield, playing the versatile and simply brilliant Toni Kroos might be the right choice.
Despite his poor performance in the opener, Lukas Podolski is set to retain his place in the side. Podolski’s recent displays for the national side have mostly been poor. This time, unlike most times, he is in the side due to his excellent club form for Köln. Podolski will need to create more for his team-mates as well as take his chances to retain his place ahead of the duo of Andre Schuerrle and Marco Reus.
The Dutch defence looked poor and Robin Van Persie failed to take his chances against the Danes. Bert Van Marwijk hence might decide to play Joris Mathijsen at the back by taking off one of his two central defenders. Up front, expect the free-scoring Klaas Jan Huntelaar to start.
Unlike his Bundesliga counterpart Gomez, Huntelaar can create space for himself and he can score goals out of absolutely nothing. He has shown everyone this season that he is much more than just a poacher who takes advantage of chances created by his team-mates.
So, finally, will the Dutch survive? Let me hear your thoughts on this game.
The narrow nature of the score-lines (1-0 in both games) tells us just how tight this group is. Germany beat Netherlands 3-0 last year in a friendly. This year due to changes and several problems for both sides, that result in most likelihood will not occur. Netherlands with a loss will, unless some miracle occurs, be out of this competition before the last round of fixtures occurs.
Germany and Denmark both had one common feature to their play in the first round of matches. Both teams defended doggedly when the opposition attacked. Try as they might the Portuguese and the Dutch could not find ways to overcome the likes of Mats Hummels and Simon Kjaer in the respective back fours. Up front, Denmark made their one excellent chance count as did Germany.
Germany lacked what it is known for on the 9th of June: flair in attack. Their attack was terrible and couldn’t find their rhythm without Miroslav Klose, who couldn’t play due to fitness problems. Mario Gomez can score goals but he is one-dimensional nonetheless. Expect Loew’s patience to wear out after the first half if Gomez doesn’t find the net against the Dutch.
Rumours surrounding this match suggest that Bastian Schweinsteiger might not start. Question marks have been raised over the Bayern man’s fitness since mid March. He injured himself against Chelsea and only played for the first time since that fateful day against Portugal. Loew might feel that against a Dutch said that is not lacking in midfield, playing the versatile and simply brilliant Toni Kroos might be the right choice.
Despite his poor performance in the opener, Lukas Podolski is set to retain his place in the side. Podolski’s recent displays for the national side have mostly been poor. This time, unlike most times, he is in the side due to his excellent club form for Köln. Podolski will need to create more for his team-mates as well as take his chances to retain his place ahead of the duo of Andre Schuerrle and Marco Reus.
The Dutch defence looked poor and Robin Van Persie failed to take his chances against the Danes. Bert Van Marwijk hence might decide to play Joris Mathijsen at the back by taking off one of his two central defenders. Up front, expect the free-scoring Klaas Jan Huntelaar to start.
Unlike his Bundesliga counterpart Gomez, Huntelaar can create space for himself and he can score goals out of absolutely nothing. He has shown everyone this season that he is much more than just a poacher who takes advantage of chances created by his team-mates.
So, finally, will the Dutch survive? Let me hear your thoughts on this game.
