Germany have been on the brink of elimination in every World Cup they’ve ever played in, and they will do so again if they fail to beat Spain and Japan on Thursday. But they’ll also have plenty of time to get their act together and snare a draw.
Group E, meanwhile, is a tight one, with Spain, Japan and Costa Rica all on three points. Unless Japan can take a big advantage from their game against Spain on Thursday, the Germans will need to win both matches and hope that Costa Rica fails to qualify for the knockout stages.
Getting past the Japanese will depend on Germany’s goal difference, and it’s going to be hard to do that. The team has been beaten by a goal difference of two in their previous three games at World Cups, including an historic defeat to Japan in the opening round.
It’s also important to remember that even Germany, a side that has made a habit of coming from behind to reach the knockout stage of every major tournament they’ve been in, will need to work hard to do it against a team that hasn’t beaten them in a competitive game since 2010. That said, they’re still capable of doing so, especially with their forward line and defensive depth.
They’ve got players like Kai Havertz, Youssoufa Moukoko and Niklas Fuellkrug to attack with, as well as veteran Thomas Muller. But the key will be bringing some youth into Die Mannschaft, especially on the defensive end.
The most important thing is to have enough players to cover the full backline and make it difficult for a team to switch to an attack. That’s where Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner and the NBA stars will be useful.
While they are all good players, they won’t be able to help the team in every situation. That’s why Flick will need to ensure he has a solid defensive core, while making sure the young stars have the experience they need.
On the offensive side, there’s also a need for players with pace, who can create chances and score goals. The likes of Jamal Musiala, who will be a major player at this year’s tournament, are proving that they have the ability to be part of a dynamic attack.
But there are others who can also be used as an attacking option, such as Leroy Sane and Joshua Kimmich. The latter has been a big factor in Germany’s success at club level, and is also a promising prospect at international level.
He’s got the size to cover more than just his feet and can carry the ball in dangerous areas, which could be crucial in a team that is often built around a narrow backline. He’s also a good passer and can play at either end of the field, which is something that Flick is looking for in his team.
But his most valuable asset is probably his ability to protect the backline, a trait that’s been a problem for the Germans in recent times. After a sluggish start against Japan, Kimmich started to play a more active role on the defensive side of the pitch. He stepped up and helped stop Dani Olmo in the early minutes and then made some vital saves to keep out Sergi Gnabry. But he wasn’t nearly enough to keep Spain from going in at halftime with a slender 1-0 lead.
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