The former German International advises his compatriots on how to stop the Real Madrid talisman.
The Chicago Fire defender, who was capped 82 times by his country, has played in two world cups and the Euro 2008. Friedrich like every other Die Mannschaft supporter will closely follow his team’s Euro 2012 title run.
In order to reach the latter stages of the tournament it is crucial to come out of the first hurdle unscathed. Germany face a tough task of qualifying for the knockouts as they have been placed alongside the European heavyweights
Netherlands and Portugal in the Group of Death.
The DFB eleven face Portugal in their opener of the European Championship. Although the former Wolfsburg man believes his side has enough firepower to reach the final stages of the tournament but he is vary of the threat posed
by the Portugal attacker.
The Los Blancos man has had a terrific season in the Spanish Capital, pinching the La Liga title from under Barcelona’s noses and scoring 60 goals in 55 appearances for the Madrid club. Friedrich believes if the German defenders
get complacent they will be punished, and the key to beating Portugal and topping the group is keeping the Los Merengues number 7 quiet.
The former Germany international believes the only way to stop Ronaldo terrorize the Die Mannschaft defense is by doubling up defenders on him. The tricky winger can only be stopped if he’s being tracked or marked by a centre-back,
a full-back and a nearby midfielder, due to his quick feet and pace.
The former Wolfsburg man insists that the team will need two players to cover the Real Madrid man. He stated that the likes of Philipp Lahm and Jerome Boateng should be marking the winger at all times so that he does not have the
room to perform.
The German defender also gave his opinion on ‘who’s the best player in the world’ debate. He considers Lionel Messi to be in a league of his own. For him the diminutive Argentine is the best player in the world and streets ahead
of the rest.
How will Germany cope with CR7 remains to be seen, whatever they do they cannot afford to let him run at their defenders freely.
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