FIFA World Cup 2010: Mutual respect between Germany and Spain
Germany play against Spain on Wednesday in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in what will be a replay of the UEFA Euro 2008 final between the two teams.
Germany defeated Argentina by four goals to nil to reach the semi-final stage whereas Spain needed a late David Villa strike against Paraguay to book a place amongst the last four teams of the tournament.
Both of the teams are quite evenly matches but Germany look as slight favorites after scoring convincing victories and scoring four goals in two consecutive matches against England and Argentina, Spain on the other hand have won their last two matches by scoring one goal in each of them.
Joachim Low has revealed that Germany consider Spain to be far more dangerous than Argentina because of their style of play. He said that the Spaniards focus on passing and teamwork rather than on individual qualities.
Low also said that over the past two to three years Spain have performed with incredible consistency therefore they are a different opposition. The 50 year old German national team manager said that Spain are devoid of mistakes unlike Argentina and England, he also was bold enough to say that Spain have four to five players who are as good as Messi, players who can decide a game on their own in the attacking third.
He stated that because Spain make very few mistakes in offense and defense, Germany will have to work extra hard to force Spain into making more these mistakes. Low pointed out the key battle which will take place during the match between Khedira and Schweinsteiger of Germany against Iniesta and Xavi of Spain.
He said that Xavi and Iniesta are like a well oiled machine but Schweinsteiger and Khedira are as good as anyone as well. Spain’s midfield star Cesc Fabregas might feature in the match but his selection in the starting lineup is doubtful because of Xavi’s superior form and Fabregas’s injury.
The Arsenal midfielder has already stated that he will be ready to play in the match even if requires him to pull through the pain barrier. Germany on the other hand will be without their youngster Thomas Mueller, who has scored thrice so far in the tournament. Two of his goals came against England and the latest one came against Argentina in the quarter finals. Mueller received a second yellow card in five games he has played so far Germany in the FIFA World Cup, thus he is suspended for this match.
Germany will most likely miss his goals. Sami Khedira is tending carefully to his thigh injury which was picked up by the German midfielder before the match against Argentina but Low remains hopeful that his young midfield man will feature nonetheless.
Low has hinted that Toni Kroos or Piotr Trochowski can feature instead of Mueller on the German right wing. Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque has also been quite forth coming with his admiration for the Germans.
He said that his team will play fast paced, attacking football which they are famous for and this means that the match will be an open attacking one. Fernando Torres is an injury concern before the match for the Spaniards, the Liverpool striker has failed to impress so far but Vicente Del Bosque will be sticking with the young striker in a hope that he can salvage some of his form.
Torres’s Liverpool team-mate, Spain’s second choice goal keeper Pepe Reina said that Spanish players are on the verge of realizing a dream to play in the World Cup final and win it. He said that it is every child’s dream and that Spain are just two matches away from fulfilling it.
Both the teams so far have played constructive offensive football which means that the match can be expected to be a fast flowing one where fans can see several goals.
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