On June 25 2012 17:31 DragoonTT wrote:
Fielding Reus/Schürrle/Klose was an opponent-specific switch that was supposed to take Greece by surprise, but was leaked - there's been quite a discussion going on about who let those informations slip.
Considering player analysis, lefix is spot on. Müller will probably return for the semi, as will Gomez, while Reus may replace Podolski if Löw deems his defensive work acceptable. (Schürrle was decent against Greece, but lost possession a lot and played the pass that led to Greece equalizing - something German media have been bashing him about).
Schweinsteiger was one of the weakest players against Greece and is also slightly injured, and may be replaced by Kroos.
Funny enough, German media have largely neglected the role of Boateng in both of Greece's goals, therefore pressure on Löw to make a switch is very low (not that he commonly collapses to such pressure), but Boateng still presented himself as a weak point, while Bender seemed fine against Denmark.
For one, Boateng was unlucky to get a penalty for his "handball". And yes he looked bad against Samaras before that goal, but - most people did not notice - it was because he was fouled by him. On the positive side he played very well against CR7.
Bender looked comfortable against Denmark, but Müller did a lot of defensive work on his side, even more so than usual, to support Bender. This of course takes away from Müller's offensive strength. Admittedly, Bender scored, but I still don't believe he is the better option than Boateng as right back.
Also Löw doesn't decide the line-up based on media pressure, or Klose wouldn't have played in 2010.
EPT
