OneFootball
Onefootball·7 June 2018
OneFootball
Onefootball·7 June 2018
In the latest of this series ahead of the World Cup in Russia, here is all you need to know about the reigning world champions Germany.
If theyâre good enough to leave a player like Leroy SanĂ© at home, we might as well give them the trophy back already.
In a squad containing two or sometimes three world-class players in every department, itâs almost impossible to pick a star man. But Thomas MĂŒller is arguably Germanyâs most important player, and one who has become an icon of Joachim Löwâs tenure in charge of the national team.
Charisma, technique and a great eye for goal, MĂŒller is the perfect synthesis of what many define as a âmodern attackerâ. Nine times out of ten, Bayern Munichâs Raumdeuter (âspace interpreterâ) finds himself in the right place at the right time and itâs no coincidence that he needs just seven more goals to surpass Miroslav Kloseâs record of 16 World Cup goals.
In the 2014 tournament in Brazil, the 28-year-old scored four times and though it will be difficult to beat that tally this time around, youâd be a fool to bet against him.
The man who effectively took SanĂ©âs place in the squad may not be as well known around the world as the Manchester City man at the moment, but that could all be about to change.
Brandt is a 22-year-old winger from Bayer Leverkusen who is right-footed but is equally comfortable operating on either flank. Last season, he scored 12 goals and assisted seven others in all competitions, and heâs probably a better tactical fit for Löwâs system than SanĂ© given heâs used to operating in a similar one at club level.
Heâs unlikely to be an automatic starter at the World Cup but if Brandt is able to replicate his performances at last summerâs Confederations Cup when he gets his chance, that decision to leave SanĂ© at home might not seem so insane after all.
Jogi Löw is a great lover of Italy and has enjoyed many holidays in the country, where heâs rarely seen without a cup of espresso in hand.
We know this because Nello Di Martino, the Italian former coach of Hertha BSC, spent some time with Löw while Germany were preparing to face Brazil in a friendly in the nationâs capital earlier this year and the two men are said to have spoken about their shared passion for Italy over coffee.
How about: âEinigkeit und Recht und Freiheit sind des GlĂŒckes Unterpfandâ which means âUnity and rights and freedom are the basis of good fortuneâ
They sure are.
đș
The holders have to be considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy again in Russia. 2014 was Germanyâs first World Cup triumph since 1990 but theyâve made it at least as far as the semi-finals at the last four tournaments and that will be the minimum aim for this one.
The last nation to win back-to-back World Cups was Brazil (1958 and 1962) and though itâs going to be difficult for Germany to achieve that feat this summer, you wouldnât put it past them.
On paper, they probably have the best group of players at the World Cup but as we know only too well, the game isnât played on paper.