Germany earned their ninth win in nine matches in Group A in the qualifiers for Euro 2012. The team is the favourite for many fans and journalists alike to claim the Henri Delaunay trophy.
Even the strongest of teams have their weaknesses. Even the teams which play with unbelievable flair must learn how to win ugly. However, bringing out the weaknesses and forcing the opposition to play ugly is one of the toughest things for an underdog. Turkey found this out last night. Germany had nothing to play for but went on to claim three points.
Mesut Özil and Miroslav Klose played no part in the match. They both were out injured. So, instead Mario Götze and the free-scoring Mario Gomez stepped up and took the pitch by storm. Guus Hiddink can now only hope that the Germans have ambitions to beat Belgium to allow his side to sneak through into the play-offs.
Germany’s first two goals were extremely simple ones. Both of them were admirable ones at the same time. The goals were reminiscent of Germany’s first strike against England in the World Cup in 2010.
Manuel Neuer had to be on his toes to deny Turkey early on. After he made a save around the 35th minute, he played a ball to Thomas Mueller who was close to the half way line. A delicious lob by Mueller found Mario Gomez. Gomez went past his defender and struck for the first goal.
The second came in similar fashion. Neuer found Mario Götze who was further up the pitch than Mueller had been for the first. Götze turned his defender and passed to the on-rushing Mueller. Mueller struck making the score 0-2. However, Turkey did find a way back.
Gokhan Gönül’s cross was met by Hakan Balta. Balta put past Neuer awkwardly in the 76th minute. Philipp Lahm has been playing too many matches lately and he must be fatigued. Had Lahm been fresh, Gönül would not have gotten that cross in easily. One also has to be concerned about the fact that Balta wasn’t being marked by anyone in particular- food for thought for Joachim Loew.
May be Loew can learn a thing or two about defending from Bayern and Jupp Heynckes. After all, he modelled this Germany team to a certain extent on Louis Van Gaal’s Bayern. Germany has reigned supreme over every team they have played with the exception of Spain in the last two tournaments- the goal is thus to improve and overcome the Spanish.
Gönül gave away a penalty to allow Germany to seal the win. Unsurprisingly, the person he fouled was the excellent Mueller. Bastian Schweinsteiger stepped up and converted in the 86th minute.
The Germans next play Belgium on Tuesday in a bid to finish the qualifying campaign without dropping points.
Mesut Özil and Miroslav Klose played no part in the match. They both were out injured. So, instead Mario Götze and the free-scoring Mario Gomez stepped up and took the pitch by storm. Guus Hiddink can now only hope that the Germans have ambitions to beat Belgium to allow his side to sneak through into the play-offs.
Germany’s first two goals were extremely simple ones. Both of them were admirable ones at the same time. The goals were reminiscent of Germany’s first strike against England in the World Cup in 2010.
Manuel Neuer had to be on his toes to deny Turkey early on. After he made a save around the 35th minute, he played a ball to Thomas Mueller who was close to the half way line. A delicious lob by Mueller found Mario Gomez. Gomez went past his defender and struck for the first goal.
The second came in similar fashion. Neuer found Mario Götze who was further up the pitch than Mueller had been for the first. Götze turned his defender and passed to the on-rushing Mueller. Mueller struck making the score 0-2. However, Turkey did find a way back.
Gokhan Gönül’s cross was met by Hakan Balta. Balta put past Neuer awkwardly in the 76th minute. Philipp Lahm has been playing too many matches lately and he must be fatigued. Had Lahm been fresh, Gönül would not have gotten that cross in easily. One also has to be concerned about the fact that Balta wasn’t being marked by anyone in particular- food for thought for Joachim Loew.
May be Loew can learn a thing or two about defending from Bayern and Jupp Heynckes. After all, he modelled this Germany team to a certain extent on Louis Van Gaal’s Bayern. Germany has reigned supreme over every team they have played with the exception of Spain in the last two tournaments- the goal is thus to improve and overcome the Spanish.
Gönül gave away a penalty to allow Germany to seal the win. Unsurprisingly, the person he fouled was the excellent Mueller. Bastian Schweinsteiger stepped up and converted in the 86th minute.
The Germans next play Belgium on Tuesday in a bid to finish the qualifying campaign without dropping points.
