2010 World Cup semi-final preview: Germany v Spain
Two years and a week ago, Vienna, and a sleeping giant is about to wake up.
Philipp Lahm didn’t seem to know where Fernando Torres was as the Spain forward raced onto a Xavi through ball but, quick as a flash, Torres appeared from behind Lahm before delicately lifting a right-footed effort over the stranded, exposed Jens Lehmann. Germany 0 Spain 1, and the Spanish, finally, were on their way to glory.
It had been a long wait. Spain only had a 1964 European Championship victory to show for their 95 years of international football before that night in the Austrian capital and the Euro 2008 title, and as more or less the same group of players – surely the most gifted in Spain’s history (they’ve mercifully declined to use the term “golden generation”) – stand on the brink of another final, guess who is in their way again?
“We are not speaking of revenge,” said German coach Joachim Löw, who almost sounded convincing, “that hasn't been on my mind at all.”
“We lost the final in 2008 because we were beaten by the best team of the time. For me, Spain are the favourites for this title, too. They have been the most consistent team of the past two or three years and have played at a very high level. Spain have not one [Lionel] Messi, but several Messis who can decide a game.”
Several Messis are a prospect to frighten anyone, but the Argentinian ace didn’t score at this World Cup, and so how do the Germans go about ensuring that Spain don’t score in Durban?
"They make almost no mistakes but we have to force them into making errors,” said Löw, who will once again wear his “lucky” blue sweater that was sported during the four-goal performances against England and Argentina.
”We have to keep them under constant pressure. Spain are very strong as a unit, both in attack and in defence, and have several players who can decide games. Tactically they are very good. Their passing game is a celebration of football and how easy they make it look is a model for me.
“But, at the moment, we are capable of beating everyone.”
It’s difficult to argue with him, and the demolitions of England and Argentina will have been noticed by the Spaniards, it was hard not to, but Spain are eyeing a repeat of two years ago.
“If I score against Germany and it takes us to the final that would be unbelievable,” said Torres, who is still to register a goal in the tournament.
“I hope history can be repeated but above all, that the team wins. We have done well in our last games against them but this German team is much better than the previous sides we have faced. They have proved to be one of the favourites in this tournament without a doubt.”
They certainly have, but this Spanish team knows their place in their country’s history. This is their first ever World Cup semi-final, but it will considered a failure if they go out here. They could be just days away from immortality.
“I don't just settle for being in the semi-finals, I want more,” Torres continued.
“Of course it's a success for us as this is the first time our nation has achieved this but we are aware that we may never get this chance again. We have the right to dream and to play a wonderful game against Germany. We want to make sure that people will still be talking about this Spain team in two years' time or even longer.”
They’ll be talking about Torres from the start in Durban, with Spain coach Vicente del Bosque once again set to stand by his misfiring striker, but Cesc Fàbregas – his potential replacement in the side should del Bosque play tournament top scorer David Villa as a lone striker – has been declared fit after a scan on a leg injury. Carles Puyol is okay after suffering from blurred vision.
Germany’s only problem is a big one, with the suspension of four-goal Thomas Müller creating a vacancy on the right wing that is expected to be filled by Piotr Trochowski.
Going into tonight’s game, team manager Oliver Bierhoff has criticised captain Lahm.
The Bayern Munich full-back has been deputising as the leader for the injured Michael Ballack, and this week he announced he wanted to retain the captain’s armband on a permanent basis.
Bierhoff felt it was bad timing from the stand-in skipper. “It’s not a great idea to choose the important week of the World Cup to say that, when sporting concerns should be the top priority.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger – Germany’s best player in the Argentina rout – has been at pains to point out that Spain are still the favourites, a tag that seems to suit the Germans.
“On paper Spain are still the better team,” he said, “but I think we have shown in our last two games that we can beat teams that appear the better ones on paper.”
He’s right. On grass Germany have been the best side at this World Cup, and if they can nullify the threat of Villa – and if Torres continues his indifferent form – then that revenge could be achieved, leaving the Spanish with nothing but the memories of two years ago.
Those memories should spur Spain on though, and the prospect of another final appearance should be enough to get del Bosque’s men to finally show the form that the world, and certainly Germany, know that they are capable of. It could be Euro 2008 revisited.
Oh Vienna.
Prediction: Germany 0 Spain 1
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