Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
When the World Cup group stage draw happened, no one could have ever expected a group so dangerous that even Germany will run the risk of not making it to the knockout stages. This is arguably one of the hardest groups in the entire history of the tournament. Even when you consider Ghana, the “worst” team in the group, you remember their last two tournaments and how impressive they were. Couple that with Germany, who many feel are the eventual winners in Brazil, Portugal who are headlined by the best footballer on the planet currently in Ronaldo with a very under-rated supporting cast, and a United States team coached by a German legend who has instilled an even greater sense of pride, understanding and strong work ethic despite those qualities existing in United States footballing culture previously.
The absolute beauty of this group, is that every single match is a dog-fight for each nations tournament lives, and when the dust settles, there is a real chance that Germany or Ronaldo could miss out on the knockout stages. How would Young and Drew negotiate this footballing midfield? Let’s have them tell you.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, United States, Ghana
Young will bat first today;
Germany – Words can’t describe how much the world should fear this football factory. The Germans boast telepathic teamwork, rock solid defense, and a juggernaut offense; however, they do have a major weakness; mental toughness. Germany had the tools to win it all in the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 Euros, but the team looked unnerved in crucial moments, creating mental mistakes in offense and defense. Still there’s a good reason to believe this team can win it all. The holdovers from 2006 (Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Klose, and Podolski) are tired of falling short and realize this is their last World Cup. They are looking to do whatever they can to get that cup. Luckily they have the likes of Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, and Mesut Ozil to advance the ball and produce tons of goals in clinical fashion. Though many people doubt this German squad to take it all due to their history, I believe the Germans will be crowned champions. A 4-5-1 formation that can transition to a direct 4-3-3 on attack will be the trick to winning it all.
GK: Manuel Neuer
DF: Phillip Lahm (LB), Per Mertesacker (CB), Mats Hummels (CB), Kevin Grosskreutz (RB)
MF: Bastian Schweinsteiger (CDM), Toni Kroos (CM), Thomas Mueller (RM), Mesut Ozil (LM), Mario
Gotze (CAM)
FW: Marco Reus
Portugal – Ronaldo and the boys aka Portugal, look like a team that will advance out of the group because of their reputation. However, this team is plagued from lacking another player nearly talented as Ronaldo and poor cohesion. There are teams in Europe that are capable of beating inferior teams without their star players like Germany and Spain because their cohesiveness makes up for the deficiency in talent. Portugal looks like fresh meat to the likes of United States if Ronaldo was injured. While the offense will rely on Ronaldo’s wing play to make something happen on the attack, the Portuguese will be blessed by William Carvalho’s presence at the defensive midfield. The 22-year-old is primed to move to a big club (i.e. Manchester United) in the next transfer market and will use the World Cup to show his suitors what he’s capable of doing. His presence not only gives the offense breathing space to focus on attack, but also keep the defense on their toes due to his rocketing shots from distance. 4-3-3 will be the best formation for the Portuguese since they need to utilize their biggest strength; wing play.
GK: Beto
DF: Fabio Coentrao (LB), Pepe (CB), Bruno Alves (CB), Joao Pereira (RB)
MF: William Carvalho (CMD), Raul Meireles (CM), Joao Moutinho (CAM)
FW: Christiano Ronaldo (LW), Helder Postiga (CF), Nani (RW)
United States – The Stars and Stripes are about to unleash the greatest underdog story in World Cup history. With a coach like Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm, USA has a slight tactical edge in being able to break out of the group of death. The Americans need to play 4-4-2 Diamond and put Michael Bradley at the tip of the diamond in order to maximize his vision and playmaking abilities. If Michael Bradley is given full reigns over the offense, then the Stars and Stripes will have a more cohesive attack. Dempsey has been having a brilliant season for the Sounders this season and should be placed in the second striker position while Landon Donovan will be needed at the right midfield for his versatility. Unfortunately the United States has question marks at the striker position and at the backline. Jozy Altidore has been allergic to the net during his season at Sunderland while the only cohesive pair for USA’s defense are from the MLS. While the backline may have questions that can only be answered once the World Cup starts, the USA should opt to put Aron Johannsson as the starting striker.
GK: Tim Howard
DF: Fabian Johnson (LB), Omar Gonzalez (CB), Matt Besler (CB), Geoff Cameron (RB)
MF: Jermaine Jones (CDM), Michael Bradley (CAM), Landon Donovan (RM), Alejandro Bedoya (LM)
ST: Clint Dempsey (SS), Aron Johannsson (ST)
Ghana – The Black Stars proved to doubters that they were capable of advancing to the knockout stages of their qualifying group without Michael Essien back in 2010. Four years later, Ghana still feature the same strong crop of midfielders, but lack a powerful striker outside of Asamoah Gyan. Ghana has built a reputation of swiftly disrupting opposing attacks and turning their defense into their offense. If Ghana wants to advance out of their group, they will have to force their opponents to grind it out. In the Brazilian climate, Ghana has their opponents playing into their hands. As coach of Ghana, it’s best to cram the midfield with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
GK: Adam Kwarasey
DF: Michael Essien (LB), John Boye (CB), Jonathan Mensah (CB), Samuel Inkoom (RB)
MF: Kwado Asamoah (CDM), Sulley Muntari (CM), Andre Ayew (LAM), Kevin-Prince Boateng (CAM),
Christian Atsu (RAM)
FW: Asamoah Gyan (ST)
And now for Drew;
Germany – No one holds a candle to Germany currently, not even current holders Spain or hosts Brazil – well, on paper at least. And even know we all know how strong you are on paper means nothing, this German team is just as strong in real life. Joachim Low’s current side is at the apex of its development and truthfully, have very little weakness, if any at all. The large majority of their likely starting players are currently plying their trade at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund – such is the cohesion, understanding, blend of physical strength and technical ability that it is hard to consider the Germans not being at least in the final, if not the winners. The only weakness one could truly consider currently, is the weather. The difference in climate between Germany and Brazil may as well be night and day, and despite their ability as footballers, on a brutally hot and humid day or evening, the body will naturally dehydrate faster, tire quicker and a players mental strength undoubtedly is sapped as they then have to consider their physical status on top of the ability to process what is expected of them on the football pitch. Despite the potential issues that the weather can cause (and let’s be honest, it will cause many a team problems), the Germans are ruthless and efficient and this tournament could end up looking like the roads from Germany to the English Channel circa 1940 if they are in the mood this summer. The attacking trio of Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze is only rivaled arguably by Brazil and Spain, and the impressive pairing of Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger for both Bayern Munich and Germany is both creative and steadfast. The only two players who are likely to be involved in the German XI who do not play for Bayern and Dortmund are Ozil and Per Mertesacker, both of whom play for Arsenal. If there was a single team in this tournament more closely molded together, it is this German team. As such, as coach, you must deploy them in a 4-2-3-1 – popular in the Bundesliga and what most of them play under for their clubs, it is where they are their most efficient:
GK: Manuel Neuer
DF: Marcel Schmelzer (LB), Mats Hummels (CB), Per Mertesacker (CB), Philipp Lahm (RB)
MF: Toni Kroos (CM), Bastian Schweinsteiger (CM); Marco Reus (LAM), Mesut Ozil (CAM), Mario Gotze (RAM)
FW: Thomas Muller (CF)
Portugal – When you have the services of the best footballer in the world (please, save this debate for another article) on current form in your team, naturally you go into each and every match with supreme confidence in his ability to provide match winning moments. Cristiano Ronaldo has been a man on a mission as of late – first, to solidify his claim that he is superior to Lionel Messi, and now to show the world during the sports biggest event that he has the unquestionable talents and abilities to lead Portugal to World Cup jubilation. While Ronaldo is a generational player, unfortunately, he does not have the ability to do everything – I do not see him moving heaven and earth in a bid to mask the fact that Portugal always seem to be shaky and unconvincing at the back, despite having talented defenders. To mask that, they must surely rely on their midfielders to not only provide more than adequate cover for the back-line, but also trust in their ability to spring Ronaldo on the counter attack. This team is not made to play the possession game, they will have to let the Germans and maybe even the Americans do that – their strength is finding room for Ronaldo and Nani to use their blistering pace and ability on the ball to carve out chances, get opposing defenders into card trouble and drawing so much attention to the flanks that it may allow Portugal’s midfielders room to steam in for a late run and look on goal. Their counter-attacking ability must be highlighted if they are to avoid a crash and burn outing, so as coach, a 4-3-3 would be prudent:
GK: Rui Patricio
DF: Fabio Coentrao (LB), Pepe (CB), Bruno Alves (CB), Joao Pereira (RB)
MF: William Carvalho (CM), Raul Meireles (CM), Joao Moutinho (CAM)
FW: Cristiano Ronaldo (LW), Hugo Almeida (ST), Nani (RW)
United States – This is truly one of the best chances the United States will have to put in a memorable performance at the World Cup that can either measure up to or eclipse their showing in 2002 when they reach the quarter finals, only to be bounced by Germany. The Germans have been on the US radar ever since, while the United States also has previous World Cup history with both Portugal (also in 2002 when they beat the Portuguese 3-2 in the group stage) and more recently with two separate meetings against Ghana in 2006 and 2010, where Ghana won on both occasions. Make no mistake about it, the US is out for blood for this entire group, and their ace in the hole is not Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey or Tim Howard – it’s their coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The legendary German striker has assembled a coaching staff for Brazil that undoubtedly will have this team prepared to face all three of their opponents, especially his countrymen. Former US international stalwart Tab Ramos, former Austrian captain/most capped player and Bundesliga stalwart Andreas Herzog, and German legend Berti Vogts are all on staff with Klinsmann – their knowledge of German football highlights Klinsmann’s desire to upset the tournament favorites and make a real statement, but does he have the right players for the job? Both Donovan and Dempsey are on the wrong side of 30 now, Jozy Altidore is completely misfiring this season and Michael Bradley no longer plays in Europe as he felt it best to return to the MLS – four key figures for the US will have question marks over their heads. The US are able to rely on Tim Howard as always and a team work ethic that is truly second to none, but unless they adapt to the climate in Brazil and fast, their biggest asset could end up being their downfall as their tireless efforts on the pitch could burn them out. Despite it all however, the notion that this is most likely the last time Donovan, Dempsey, Howard and Beasley will represent the United States at the World Cup could end up being enough motivation for them to achieve something special. As coach, I would deploy in a 4-2-3-1, with a high tempo, and just have a go at the group rather than parking the bus and hoping for the best:
GK: Tim Howard
DF: Fabian Johnson (LB), Geoff Cameron (CB), Matt Besler (CB), Timothy Chandler (RB)
MF: Michael Bradley (CM), Jermaine Jones (DM); Brad Davis (LAM), Clint Dempsey (CAM), Landon Donovan (RAM)
FW: Chris Wondolowski (ST)
Ghana – It’s the same story over and over again when it comes to African teams. We will sit here and highlight their physical strength, their power and their pace till we are blue in the face and then we discuss how technical ability must come to the fore if you have any chance of showing up in a World Cup – this is where Ghana have succeeded in their only two World Cup appearances, and both times, they made it to the knockout stages. Yes they have power, yes they have pace and yes they are quite strong, but Ghana have quite a few players who are technically gifted footballers, who have the ability to provide an end product when their physical attributes help them carve out chances. The beauty of their team, is that every single player has pace to burn and every single one of them have fantastic engines – this makes Ghana a much larger threat in this group that people realize. They have the ability to call virtually anyone off their bench in the last 20-30minutes in a match and have them go 150% – it’s not just about fresh legs, its fresh legs with pace attached to players who are physical. Let us also not forget the fact that they will not be nearly as effected by the Brazilian climate as the other teams in the group and given the quality they do have, would it really shock anyone if they stole a result against Portugal and defeat the United States again? While the odds are not in their favor, this is a team that you underestimate at your peril. As coach, I would use a 4-3-2-1 and save my quick wide players for the final 30min of the match to exploit the tired bodies and legs of the opponent:
GK: Adam Kwarasey
DF: Harrison Afful (LB), Jonathan Mensah (CB), John Boye (CB), Samuel Inkoom (RB)
MF: Kwadwo Asamoah (CM), Michael Essien (CM), Sulley Muntari (CM); Andre Ayew (LCAM), Kevin-PrinceBoateng (RCAM)
FW: Asamoah Gyan (ST)