Euro 2008 - Day 2: Podolski Leads Germany To A Commanding Win Against Poland
June 9th 2008 15:58
In a remake of their 2006 group match, the Germans once again came out as the stronger side despite a shaky defense. The Germans' defensive problems were exposed early on by the Polish in the early minutes of the game. Lehmann often mistimed his exits out of the net and there was a severe lack of communication between him and centre back Per Mertesacker as they collided more than once during the first half. Acknowledging his team's defensive woes, Joachim Löw deployed his squad into a 4-4-2 formation that seemed to protect the centre defense and goalkeeper. In midfield, Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack completely shut down the middle, forcing Poland to attack on the wings. There, the Polish offensive often stopped dead with the intervention of Germany's two side backs, Macell Jansen and Philipp Lahm who both had a great game.
With Lukas Podolski on the left wing, the Germans' 4-4-2 could easily transform into a 4-3-3 with Podolski joining Klose and Gómez out front. This strategy seemed to confuse the Polish especially when Klose or Gómez would drop back to leave an open space for Podolski. Consequently, the young striker/midfielder was the one who scored Germany's both goals – the first was scored after a nice exchange with Gómez while the second was a thing of beauty where Podolski volleyed the ball into the net after Klose failed to do the exact same thing.
Like Portugal, Germany has several options on the bench who can easily change the tone of the game or keep up the same tempo. Schweinsteiger's entrance in Fritz's place had that effect as the Germans then had two playmakers in midfield. Schweinsteiger's tight control of the ball allowed defensive midfielder Frings to move up the field more often to participate in the attack. Gómez's exit in favor of midfielder Hitzlsperger led to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation with Podolski moving up front alongside Klose. And finally, in the dying minutes of the game, Klose was replaced by forward Kevin Kuranyi. However, that change didn't bring any effect as the game was coming to an end.
Apart from the early minutes and a couple of set-pieces, the Polish couldn't get any attack going throughout the match. The German midfield was simply too strong for them to pass through and they didn't manage to properly test Lehmann when crossing the ball in the 18-yard box.
My man of the match: It was a hard decision but my selection goes to Lukas Podolski. He not only scored two goals (one in each half), but was a real threat on the left wing every time he touched the ball.
Honorable mention: Phillip Lahm. If it wasn't for Podolski's goals, he would have been my man of the man. Germany's right back was simply outstanding in his performance, supporting the attack on the right flank and neutraziling his opponents' attacks with clean tackles all game long.
With Lukas Podolski on the left wing, the Germans' 4-4-2 could easily transform into a 4-3-3 with Podolski joining Klose and Gómez out front. This strategy seemed to confuse the Polish especially when Klose or Gómez would drop back to leave an open space for Podolski. Consequently, the young striker/midfielder was the one who scored Germany's both goals – the first was scored after a nice exchange with Gómez while the second was a thing of beauty where Podolski volleyed the ball into the net after Klose failed to do the exact same thing.
Like Portugal, Germany has several options on the bench who can easily change the tone of the game or keep up the same tempo. Schweinsteiger's entrance in Fritz's place had that effect as the Germans then had two playmakers in midfield. Schweinsteiger's tight control of the ball allowed defensive midfielder Frings to move up the field more often to participate in the attack. Gómez's exit in favor of midfielder Hitzlsperger led to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation with Podolski moving up front alongside Klose. And finally, in the dying minutes of the game, Klose was replaced by forward Kevin Kuranyi. However, that change didn't bring any effect as the game was coming to an end.
Apart from the early minutes and a couple of set-pieces, the Polish couldn't get any attack going throughout the match. The German midfield was simply too strong for them to pass through and they didn't manage to properly test Lehmann when crossing the ball in the 18-yard box.
My man of the match: It was a hard decision but my selection goes to Lukas Podolski. He not only scored two goals (one in each half), but was a real threat on the left wing every time he touched the ball.
Honorable mention: Phillip Lahm. If it wasn't for Podolski's goals, he would have been my man of the man. Germany's right back was simply outstanding in his performance, supporting the attack on the right flank and neutraziling his opponents' attacks with clean tackles all game long.
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