FIFA World Cup 2010 — Team Profile: Germany

Germany’s 6th place in world rankings does scant justice to their pedigree and record of three World Cups, in 17 appearances. But Germany’s history in recent years has been a case of missed opportunities, whether at World Cups 2006 and 2002, or at Euro 2008.

In the qualifiers, however, Germany performed to potential, twice putting it across Russia, apart from dismissing Wales, Liechtenstein and Azarbaijan.

The man to watch is Miroslav Klose, a crafty striker, with a prolific scoring record. Pudolski, midfielder-cum-striker, is another great prospect. Tragically, Germany have lost their star midfielder and captain, Michael Ballack, to injury, on the eve of the World Cup. They have another talented midfielder in Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will be under greater pressure of expectation, in Ballack’s absence. They also have a great defender in Phillip Lahm. But German fans will lament the absence of Torsten Frings, from the line-up.

However, Germany should have little trouble heading their group D, the other teams being Serbia, Ghana and Australia. In fact, Germany hold a record of sorts, of not losing a single group game, from 1986 onwards.

Interestingly, the Germany squad has a wealth of young players, with an average age of 24.96 years, the lowest for a German team at any World Cup. The youngsters in the team have shown what they are capable of in warm up matches with Hungary, Bosnia and Malta, ahead of the event in South Africa.

Among the outstanding young talent are Sami Khedra,  Jerome Boateng, Dennis Aogo, Mesut Ozil, Hogel Badstuber, Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos.

Sami Khedra’s goal scoring and assisting potential was evident in the matches against Bosnia and Hungary. Jerome Boateng is a specialist centre-half, though he was used as a right-back against Hungary.

Dennis Aogo is a left-back who was given opportunis against malta and Hungary. Aogo could fill in as midfielder in the absence of the injury hit Westermann, Trolfes, Traesch and Ballack.

Aogo’s moving to midfield could open up the opportunity for Badstuber to fill the left-back position. Ozil is a brilliant midfielder, and has the greatest potential among the youngsters. While Mueller could be used as a back-up striker, Mann is likely to be used as a substitute as there’s a question mark on his strength and stamina.

Their first real challenge should be in the quarter-final, in the form of Argentina. If they survive Argentina, Germany are likely to run into Italy, in the semi-final.

In Ballack’s absence, Germany seem beset by an unsurmountable problem. But don’t write them off; like true champions, they are given to rising to the big occasions.

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Tags: Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, South Africa

Category: FIFA World Cup, Football