Post Confederation Cup Analysis.

[Guday]

I know that there is 1 more match to go for Germany but as far as excitement is concern it already ended last night. Now let's hear from all of you weenie-pundits out there on what you think you know better than Klinsi or anyone else for that matter??

Let's start:

Goalkeeper or keepers rather:

It is hard to say, so far, bar that 3rd place match, I have not seen any of them making the impossible saves(like what Kahn did in the last WC). I think Klinsi should call up Wiese too at least for the experience.

Defence:

I certainly commend Jurgen for omitting the likes of Worns and Baumann( now I can be almost certain these 2 will not play next year ). At least we have some excuse for losing to Brazil with a very inexperience(compare that with Lucio and Roque Junior who have tons of them) backline - well not quite, main thing is the 2 guys will have experience playing against the 1st quality attackers with all the pressure there is. Mersesacker is certain to be the main guy come next year but Huth needs a lot of improvement and he must get a team where he can play week in and out. Not Chelsea of course. Otherwise it will be silly if Klinsi continue to pick a reserve player for WC squad and Huth's lack of playtime shows. But he is only 20 I think, thus, has a lot to learn and he will learn, so don't bash him too much.

Midfield:

A season long fit and on-form Deisler and Schweni will be more than adequate for AM. These 2 will be awesome next year. Now the problem is DM, and if no outstanding one emerges we will have to play with 2, which mean we would sacrifice Ballack since he is neither DM or AM just a talisman(whatever that means).


Attack:

I think we need one more good attacker, well not Klose of course someone young and skillful like Poldi and Kuranyi - Lauth on form is what the team need.

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[swissknife]

Germany are not a top class team atm, end of

[Coldplay]

Need:

GK) Weise

DF) Metzelder, Lahm, Pander

MF) Geissler, Bierofka, Ch. Muller, Hilbert

FW) Hunt, Lauth

[Mertesacker]

Well Huth is clumsy, slow and needs to go.
Kahn shouldn't be #1.
The defense should look different and will look different.

There are teams we won't match in terms of skill but skill is not everything.

[locoLopez]

i doubt that klinsmann will subs out one of his three goalies until the WC. if this gonna happen due to i.e. injuries, then i would recommend weidenfeller. in the last season he had some nice saves. he has about the same abilities like wiese but is taller - so i would prefer him. and about wiese, he isn't bad but he was injured for about a half year so firstly he need match-pratice and 2ndly he need to show that he will be as good as he was before. its not even sure if he will be the number 1 in bremen next season. this might be decided in the pre-seasoning.
i really hope that metzelder will be come back - he is more experienced than huth (i.e.WC'02)and will play regularly in his club.
benny lauth showed some good matches during the last seasons. if he will not be injured every 2nd month he could be a good alternative to klose,kuranyi and ... asamoah. actually i'm no big fan of asamoah but i know he is sometimes a useful player.

so we kick owomoyela and brdaric out of the team for sure - they're not needed.

gk) kahn/lehmann/hildebrandt
rb) friedrich/hinkel
cd) mertesacker/metzelder/huth/(friedrich)
lb) lahm/.. well hitzlsperger/pander?/schulz(hopefully not)..schneider did well vs. brazil
dm) frings/ernst/schneider?
am) ballack/schweinsteiger/deissler/schneider?/borowski/engelhardt?(he didn't convinced me so far)
fw) klose/kuranyi/lauth/asamoah

[The Southern Dandy]

Germany are not a top class team atm, end of

Do you ever add anythign to a topic that is more than a broad, overly-generalized, sweeping statement?

[Schwalker]

My question is....Are we going to keep the 4-4-2 formation or switch to something else?

[Ballack13]

Ok, I think there were a lot of positives to come off this tournament.

G/K: Honestly at this point I dont think there is much between Kahn and Lehmann. In fact Lehmann probably has better reflexes right now. However Lehmann is more prone to making stupid errors. Hildebrand should be giving more of a chance. In fact I think he should be the starting keeper right now. Voller should have introduced him a year or 2 ago. Look at Buffon, he was starting keeper for Italy at 21. Now he is probably the best in the world and still young.

Defense: First, the obvious. Huth! This guy is utterly useless. Its like they took a boxer and gave him a football. He has no talent, is very vulnerable in one on ones, makes stupid tackles...the list goes on. Yeah he is good in the air and strong but thats it. He is lacking in football brain and overal skill. He cant even utilize his strength. That penatly on Adriano was pathetic. Huth was in front of him and still let Adriano get back in, then pushed him!!! Huth should not even be in the team period!

Now on the positive side, Friedrich and Mertesacker was quite good. Mertesacker paired with a quality cb like Metz would look World Class. Plus he is calm on the ball unlike Huth who panics all the time. Friedrich is top class. He is fast, can get by defenders and is very hard to beat 1 on 1 in defense. The rightback position is very strong for us.

Leftback is a problem. I still dont know why Hinkel wasnt given a chance there. He has played there before against world class opposition in France and was excellent. Hitz is nothing special, especially at leftback. Even if played in midfield, he is not good enough to get a spot there either. Cant wait til Lahm and Pander recover.

Midfield: Personally I want Ballack to be more of an attacker. He plays to deep in defense at times. We need his passing and shooting up front behind the strikers. Schneider is past it. He holds the ball well and is very skilled but just cant get by defenders any more. Thought he did well at leftback though. Deisler and the Pig are looking good on the flanks. Deisler looks a bit out of shape but is getting better every game. I still think this team is lackin a speed demon like Bierofka or Odonkor. Hopefully Bierofka will play well next season and get a chance.

Defensive midfield is the big problem. I think Ernst finally looked good for the NT. He might be the answer. Certainly he is better at DM than Frings. I dont know what other options there are except for Hamann but he is getting up there. Who is a young defensive midfielder like Jeremies was?

Attack: Podolski sealed his spot I hope. Kuranyi is out of form but not bad. I think it comes down to Lauth and Klose as the partner to Lukas. Klose adds his amazing aerial game while Lauth is more technical and skilled.

[ACBerb]

I see one glaring omission no one has touched on yet that I could see (if someone did and I happend to have missed it then my apologies). How about Klinsi has his team work on defending against set FVCKIN' pieces! :banghead Three different games, three goals scored do to a sh!ty ass wall and free kick defending! Back in the the day Germany would have never let ball's break through or deflect passed their wall like it was made of swiss cheese! I guess Löw is the man that should have the team trained better in this area so let's get it done man! This tournie would have had a much better ending had Germany not conceded these free kick goals. Just my two cents worth, but think about it!

[Guday]

I see one glaring omission no one has touched on yet that I could see (if someone did and I happend to have missed it then my apologies). How about Klinsi has his team work on defending against set FVCKIN' pieces!

Good point mate, yeah those walls really looked lame. Even the Kangaroos get a shot past them.

Now speaking of set pieces - free kicks and corners, they have to practice more. Because against a very skillful team in tight matches like one against Brasil - it is obvious that you won't get too many chances from a field attempt, unless of course in one year time we have a Dinho/Diano/Binho like they what they have.

Good news is Germans club or Bayern :clap in particular under Hitzfield reign were well known to have all sort of tricks on set pieces. Thus, I think Klinsi or Yoggi should give that Hitzfield a call and ask for some tips.

[Guday]

I still think this team is lackin a speed demon like Bierofka or Odonkor. Hopefully Bierofka will play well next season and get a chance.



Me too mate, I would love to see Sol Campbell get a run around by a speedy Odonkor or Bierofka, in next year WC quaterfinals.

[Guday]

i then i would recommend weidenfeller.

fw) klose/kuranyi/lauth/asamoah

Bud did you purposely leave out Poldi? And I personally do not have much for that Dortmund keeper - he is often more concern of not getting his haido spoilt than his goal got breached.

[SAINTBASTI]

Do you ever add anythign to a topic that is more than a broad, overly-generalized, sweeping statement?
never as i know

[Guday]

My question is....Are we going to keep the 4-4-2 formation or switch to something else?

3-5-2 No doubt

Coach: Guday(take over from Klinsi after a victorious WC06)


--------------Wiese--------------

---------------Kehl-------------------

------Mertesacker---Metzelder-----------

Hinkel/Friedrich--------Borowski--------Lahm

-----------Deisler-----Schweni----------

-----------Kuranyi------Podolski------


I like Kehl because he has that bossy attitude that a libero needs to have.
Btw, no offence but I am no fan of Balla.

[Coldplay]

i doubt that klinsmann will subs out one of his three goalies until the WC. if this gonna happen due to i.e. injuries, then i would recommend weidenfeller. in the last season he had some nice saves. he has about the same abilities like wiese but is taller - so i would prefer him. and about wiese, he isn't bad but he was injured for about a half year so firstly he need match-pratice and 2ndly he need to show that he will be as good as he was before. its not even sure if he will be the number 1 in bremen next season. this might be decided in the pre-seasoning.
i really hope that metzelder will be come back - he is more experienced than huth (i.e.WC'02)and will play regularly in his club.
benny lauth showed some good matches during the last seasons. if he will not be injured every 2nd month he could be a good alternative to klose,kuranyi and ... asamoah. actually i'm no big fan of asamoah but i know he is sometimes a useful player.

so we kick owomoyela and brdaric out of the team for sure - they're not needed.

gk) kahn/lehmann/hildebrandt
rb) friedrich/hinkel
cd) mertesacker/metzelder/huth/(friedrich)
lb) lahm/.. well hitzlsperger/pander?/schulz(hopefully not)..schneider did well vs. brazil
dm) frings/ernst/schneider?
am) ballack/schweinsteiger/deissler/schneider?/borowski/engelhardt?(he didn't convinced me so far)
fw) klose/kuranyi/lauth/asamoah

No Podolski and Hanke??

[Coldplay]

For the DM position, Is Kehl an answer?

Oh, where the hell is Odonkor now? He was a regular starter early this seaspn, but not after his injury. Bad, Is he now playing for the amateur team?

[Faram|R]

I see some bright future in this current Germany team..

GK- I dont know about this ... Kahn is ok but sometimes I doubt about his performance at this level. He 's 36 and I would prefer some fresh faces over him. And for that,I pick Hildebrand. He is still young and energetic.Give him chance.Lehmann? I dont wanna talk about this guy. He is TOO inconsistent. Sometimes he looks outstanding in one macth but then suddenly stumble and give away a horrible goal in the next match.

Centre Back- The problem in this department is we dont have an experience player. The young player like Huth and Mertesacker need more match to establish themselves in the international stages.Since Friedrich now looks comfortable with his position as a right back,we need other experience centre back. Klinsmann should consider Woerns or Babbel to this position.Yes maybe you guys will argue about their fitness and pace but they still have the valuable experience.Baumann is another option eventhough I think he is more a defensive midfielder to me. Oh ya..Metzelder! Rock solid player at the back. Great player at WC 02' and if he already free from injury,it will be a good news for German.Anyway I think Mertesacker is the player that impress me in this tournament. He should be the key player in 2006.

Right Back- Friedrich! He looks good and should remain on this position. Second choice is not bad either. Andreas Hinkel is aggresive player and Germany can rely on him on counter attack.Andreas Gorlitz is another choice and if he 100 % fit I think he should be considered too.Patrick Owomoyela is nothing special.He is totally outclassed in the N.Ireland match...

Left Back- Surprisingly Bernd Schneider is quite good on this position, at least he is better than Hitz.But it is still belong to Phillip Lahm.Christian Pander is also a good choice. Some of you also mention about Marcel Janssen. Well I never see him playing yet but if he really that good maybe Klinsmann should call him.Hitz is not a left back!

Midfield- Quite good. Nothing to worry about. Throughout the Confed cup Ballack has done his job very well. He is a leader and he has prove it. Bastian Schweinsteiger is awesome. His dribbling skill will cause a big problem to the opponent(if only Schweini play in that Germany-Brazil match...)Seb Deisler is ok but I expect more from him. If he can regain his old form(before he get depression problem) he will be the best in the world.Ernst is good in defensive but I want to see Borowski play more games with Germany. Schneider is also good but sometimes his age makes him abit slower.I dont know about Engelhardt...he hardly get a chance to play for Germany.Frings is a versatile player, should be useful.

Striker- Podolski is a match winner for Germany.If he continue scoring I think Germany will have the chance to lift the World Cup trophy on home soil next year. Podolski have the potential to be among the best striker in the world in the next 2-3 years.Kuranyi is also good.He will be the ideal partner for Podolski. Asamoah can be used as a supersub. He can come in the last 20 minutes and used his strength to help the German frontline.Klose should be also in the squad next year. His aerial ability is prove worthy for Germany.Hanke is still lack of experience but I will choose him instead of Brdaric. And IF Lauth is recovered.... wow...just imagine Lauth-Podolski combination...

[bastian]

I think we need a skillful and dribbler midfielder maybe azaough or piotr, i hope they can play often next season and stay injury free....lauth also would be very good as a sub or even as poldi's partner if he stays fit.

[The Southern Dandy]

We need to have a set goalkeeping choice from now on out. No more changing keepers from game to game.

[TheNameOfTheG..]

This confed. cup showed:

GK´s without extra saves. What about Rost?

Defence - young and without experience, but with potential. If Huth will play in his club constantly I see him as a player like Stam is.

Midfield - it is solid part of the team with Schweini, Ballack... DM - why Borowski didnt have a chanse to play on this competition?

Wings - maybe the best part of the team. Deisler played v good, espetialy against Brasil. I really hope he wont have maior injuries next sesone. Friedrich, Hinkel good right wingers. Only, there is no alternative for LW like Lahm is. Hitz is nnot good enough for that. Schneider, with his age can only be sub for midfield creation.

F - Lukas is scoring :USA_Blue Kurany is out of form. One "Lukas" more must be on WC , would it be Kurany, Hanke, Lauth, Asamoah or somebody else...

Suma sumarum I will give positive mark for Klinsmans job until now.

[locoLopez]

ah yeah i forgot prinz poldi ^^ hanke well, he is an option. except his goal he played decent this confedcup, imo. lets see how he will made it in the next season.

[Ballack13]

We need to have a set goalkeeping choice from now on out. No more changing keepers from game to game.

I agree totally. The WC is to near now. Klinsmann needs to decide soon.

As for Formation goes. I have always been a fan of the 3-5-2 formation. I think its worth giving it a shot. Didnt we use this against Tunisia when the 3 goals were scored?

------------------------Hildebrand
------Friedrich--------Mertesacker-------Metzelder
------------------Ernst----------Kehl
Deisler---------------------------------------------Lahm
-----------------------Ballack
-----------------Podolski-------Lauth/Klose

I like this team. The midfield is absolutely world class, strong in every position. With a formation like this, the midfield would be absolutely dominant. This is the natural formation for Germany in my opinion. Look at past German teams, even the WC 2002 team. They played with a 3-5-2.

[TheNameOfTheG..]

I forget to ask, does Klinsi counts on Didi?

[bastian]

I forget to ask, does Klinsi counts on Didi?


Yes he does .... :USA_Blue

[Phil Neville]

I think Germany have a great chance at the WC. The result means very little, the team looked organised and the young players were very impressive.

I think you need a better striker though, Kuranyi is ok but doesnt look anything special. and if Metzelder is fit then your defence should be ok.

[TheNameOfTheG..]

Yes he does .... :USA_Blue

Well, if Didi will be in good shape for 1 year maybe he we will worth it as a experience DM and player in very young team (altough after EC 04 I thought he is finished). He is born in 1974, right? He will be 32 he wont be so old.

I think this could easily be German line up for WC06, but of course there will be plenty of injurys so I doubt it would be like this :(

...............................GK(it is person x, it depence about next seasone, pitty Klinsi dont counts on Rost).......................................

Friedrich...........Huth(?)....................Met zelder...................Lahm........


Deisler......................Haman(?)............. ..Ballack.................Schweini........

........................Kurany(?)................. ..........Podolski.........................

? Merte, Frings/Borowski, Hanke/Lauth/Asamoah/Klose/x

[Guday]

Ok now the tournament is over:

Let's do some rating:

Here's how I would rate these players chances to be in next year WC:

a) 90% - Ballack(talismanic value),Kahn(will be there but I am not certain he will be no.1-mark my word)
b) 80% - Mertesacker,Poldi,Schweni(these 3 performed v well)
c) 75% - Deisler, Friedrich, Kuranyi( these 3 perfomed well too but could be better)
c) 70% - Hinkel, Huth, Asamoah (these have to work harder esp. Huth)
d) 60% - Frings, Ernst (the DM positions are still up for grab),
e) 55% - Hanke(need to add more flair)

The chance for rest are 50:50 or less.

[Coldplay]

Do you really think Hanke has 55%? To me, his chance of getting into the WM squad is perhaps 50:50. Klinsi may not call 5 strikers by the way, Asamoah, Kuranyi, Klose,Podolski are fixed. Hanke is a good prspect but he has to compete with Lauth(when he is fit again next season), Neuville, Brdaric, Delura(Who may have more match practice next season), or even youngsters such as Hunt or Kucukovic.

other players that should keep an eye on are: Bierofka,Trochowski, Odonkor, Kehl(Abosultely Fabulous this season!), Langkamp, A.Meier, Weidenfeller, Matip, Sinkiewicz, Ch. Muller and of Coz Azaouagh

[The Exchanger]

I think Klinsmann did a god job by giving a chance to all of those young players.. some of them impressed.. others sucked..

But I think in next year's world cup 'Die Manschaft' needs some experience.. with Worns, Metzelder, Lahm, Hamann and Klose returning to the national team I think nobody can stop Germany

I hope the 1st 11 in the world cup will be :
Kahn - Lahm , Metzelder (Worns) , Mertesacker , Friedrech - Schweinsteiger , Kehl , Ballack , Deisler - Klose , Podolski

[jumboman]

right now the first choice players are kahn,friedrich,merte,ballack,deisler,schweini and poldi

that leaves us with central defence with metzelder and worns to comeback

left back ,lahm and pander currently injured ,i think jansen will be called up for the holland game in august as Loew rates him highly.

we need a defensive midfield specialist ,im not convinced of frings,ernst impressed me but i think hamann and kehl should be called up.

only poldi is a naturally talented striker ,the rest are hard workers we need lauth and klose.

team against holland

kahn , friedrich,merte,metze(worns),jansen
deisler,ballack,ernst(haman,kehl),schweini
poldi,klose(lauth)

[Valmiki]

Ballack was brilliant
Schweini is threatenning to become world class, Klinsi must be pleased here.
Deisler played well.
Schneider will not be first choice in the midfield anymore, but a good squad man to keep around. We want to be like the 1990 squad with Matthaus, Thon, Moeller, Littbarski, Bein and Hassler.
Frings did not perform the defensive midfield role properly, Hamann was missed here. Frings should be kept in the squad like Schneider.
Freidrick and Hinkel means depth at right back, Hinkel is a better attacking option.
We need Lahm at left back, Hitz does not cut it.
At the back Metersacker looks better than Huth. Huth lacks pace and should only play if we have a sweeper system, not a 4-4-2. He could play the Buchwald role. Hope Metzelder comes back quickly. This area should be Klinsi biggest concern.
Kahn for me in goal.
Extremely pleased with Podolski and Hanke. Kuranyi, Klose and Lauth are the others to consider. Bye bye Asamoah.

[Guday]

>>>We want to be like the 1990 squad with Matthaus, Thon, Moeller, Littbarski, Bein and Hassler.

>>> Hamann was missed here.

>>> Bye bye Asamoah.

Yeah I really hope Balla will work extra hard in the coming season - presently he is not even worth Matthaus WC90 dirty socks - stray passes , disappearing acts etc, no doubt he is better now and hopefully his improvement continues.

Hamann has never played well in the international stage unlike Schneider thus I don't think he will make it. Age is against him too, of course.

But Asamoah is a very useful utility players that can play defence,md and atttack thus should be there, he is ahead of Hanke and Klose at the moment.