Euro 2016: Germany’s tactics cost them in semi-finals defeat to France
By Adam Jackson
The clash between France and Germany in the most recent of Euro 2016 semi-final matches proved to be an end to end affair with the home country and seeming underdog coming out ahead.
For all that France did to advance to the Euro 2016 final, Germany has fallen into the trap of post World Cup title Spain in tactics and form. Whilst France should be given the credit for this victory, interest and conversation may best be had with the problems that face Germany.
Like the form and run of Spain, Germany for the majority of the tournament has established formation without a true No. 9 target forward. And, similarly too to the 2010 World Cup winners, Germany has failed to live up to expectation and make a penetrating run in major tournaments.
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Whilst the Spanish continue to play with this technique through a center of the field concentrated attack, Germany has shown to change formations without a true change of tactics by attacking down the wings and using full back crosses to develop scoring chances.
Unlike in the 2014 World Cup in which center forward Miroslav Klose lurked along the back lines well positioned to finish crosses in the box, the opportunities against France fell far to often to empty space or a French defender. While the work of fresh faces such as Kimmich and Hector were noble efforts, the lack of an in the box target proved to consolidate the German options.
Whilst the use of Thomas Muller as a false striker fell prey to deep drops to receive the ball and little on goal opportunities, the work of French striker Olivier Giroud was instrumental in the clinical counterattacks that France relied upon.
While Giroud proved his lack of speed and outright ingenuity in his singular break away attempt, his hold up play and ability to push the back line of Germany into a deeper position gave France and Antoine Griezmann the opportunity to break down the defense of the world’s best team.
Throughout the tournament, the presence of a target striker has allowed seemingly lesser teams to establish a foothold on the run of play. Not only does true striker allow teams to have a target for crosses and long balls, but helps to facilitate the creativity of the attacking midfield.
The combination of forwards and midfield play with Giroud and Griezmann, Robson-Kanu and Bale, and Pelle with Eder has proven throughout this lengthy tournament that a quality No. 9 can give the lowliest of sides a chance in counter attacks and set pieces.
With a number of quality youth in the German system, growth and development has seemingly strayed from the forward position to an abundance of midfield options. The emergence of players such as Draxler, Gotze, Reus and Can indeed will sustain the quality of the nations football, but do not provide a spark of opportunity that forwards of old like Klose, and Gomez have meant to the team.
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Despite the deep tournament run and obstacles established through injuries to key players, the world champions have disappointed on a world stage that may only be secondary to the tragedy that faces Argentine football.