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Germany faces Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final that will encapsulate the memories of their dominance on world stage in the 1980s. The number 24 is of significant importance to both teams: it’s been 24 years since Germany last won the World Cup, it’s been 24 years since Argentina last featured in a final and it’s also 24 years since the last time these teams faced off in a World Cup final.
Both teams head to Mecca of football, the Maracana. Both achieved World Cup glory when they triumphed against each other – Argentina defeating West Germany in 1986 and Germany edging out Argentina for the title in 1990. Germany entered the final after a resounding 7-1 victory over the hosts Brazil in the semi-final whereas Argentina had to go through a nerve wracking penalty shootout to prevail against Netherlands.
We take a look at the players from both sides who will make a combined XI.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
A doubt to start the World Cup for Germany due to an injury and questions over whether he is still one of the best, Manuel Neuer has come a long way through the tournament to silence his doubters. The shot stopper has been phenomenal throughout the tournament by being consistent and having a commanding presence in front of goal. He has been one of the standout goalkeepers with his ability to pull off reflex saves in almost every match.
He has managed to keep three clean sheets so far and made important interceptions in this tournament. However, it his ability to organize the defense and also play a bold sweeper role due to Die Mannschaft’s high defensive line that will be remembered for years to come.
He is well on course to emulate Oliver Kahn in 2002 by winning the Golden Glove in this tournament.
Defence: Philpp Lahm – Mats Hummels – Ezequiel Garay – Marcos Rojo
Having started the tournament in the centre of midfield, Philipp Lahm has been outstanding after being moved into his more natural position of right back midway through the Round of 16 clash against Algeria. The defence until this switch had been struggling against the fast and tricky African side. The defensive line looked solid and well organized once Lahm moved to the full back position.
Lahm has marshaled the team well and it his ability to not give the ball away so easily has been key to Germany performing so well in the quarter and semi-finals. Defensively, he has been excellent while also providing an attacking threat whenever he roams forward. He has definitely led Die Mannschaft with example.
Mats Hummels has had a productive tournament so far – both in defence as well as scoring goals. He has proved to be the side’s attacking threat in set pieces by scoring two important goals – one against Portugal and the winner against France. He has definitely looked a little vulnerable in his centre back position but to his credit he has recovered well in tight situations making last ditch tackles and challenges. As compared to Per Mertesacker who struggles against pace, Hummels is able to utilize his pace and physical presence to fend off the opposition.
Ezequiel Garay has had an impressive tournament in the centre of defence for La Albiceleste. He has gone about his duties in a quiet yet effective way ensuring that Argentina have shut out matches defensively. A leader in defence, more often than not providing the necessary blocks and interceptions, he has made sure that Argentina has one of the meanest defences coming into the finals.
His key strengths are his speed, ability to read the game and make clear decisions that makes him a very difficult centre back to beat. He has already produced some commanding performances, most notably against Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.
Another quiet contributor to Argentina’s cause, Marcos Rojo has proved to be one of the best left backs in this tournament. He has been up against tricky as well as reputed wingers but he has defended them with aplomb. He scored a goal against Nigeria and was also one of the standout performers on the defensive side in that match.
After serving a one game suspension, Rojo came back against Netherlands to be one of the defensive pillars who kept Arjen Robben and the Netherlands goalless for 120 minutes. He has definitely been important and Argentina would be hoping that he would be at his best again to thwart the German attack as well as help the team out during counter attacks.
Midfield: Sami Khedira – Javier Mascherano – Toni Kroos
Sami Khedira has been a constant driving force in the centre of the midfield for Germany. He has done an impressive job by holding the ball, shielding the defence and controlling games which is expected of a defensive midfielder. However, what has been surprising this tournament has been the freedom that is given to him to create and join the attacks which has made a bigger impact.
Time and again he has been part of the attacks that has ensured more numbers in the final third, creating difficulties for the opposition. He was at his best against Brazil where he took advantage of the open spaces that were available, often intercepting passes higher up the field, setting up the other attackers and even scoring a goal himself. In this formation too he would take up the same role of controlling the midfield as well as supporting the team in attacks.
Javier Mascherano has by far been La Albiceleste’s best player of the tournament. One of the unsung heroes in the team, Mascherano has been a driving force in the centre of the midfield. He was at his marauding best against Netherlands where he broke up play, made some last ditch tackles, shackled the attacking threat of Robben and Sneijder as well as played some key passes to Messi to open the game on counter attack.
He along with Lahm head the tournament in terms of passes completed. But in terms of the most tackles made, he tops the list. These statistics prove how important he is to Argentina in providing versatility in a rather stagnant midfield. Throughout the tournament, he has had the ability to control the midfield which has been the difference in close encounters.
In this 3 man midfield, Toni Kroos would play as an attacking midfielder at the tip of the triangle. An ever present player for Die Mannschaft throughout the tournament, Kroos has been at the centre of everything creative that Germany have achieved. He is an all round midfielder who creates as well as helps out in defending under sustained pressure. If Khedira was impressive against Brazil, it was a master class performance by Kroos which allowed Germany to completely demolish Brazil in a space of 10 minutes.
He was the one who exploited the spaces available; moving beyond the Brazilain defenders, playing properly weighed penetrative passes on the flanks or through the centre. If Kroos is given too much time and control on the ball, he has the ability to kill an opposition as seen against Brazil. The two goals he scored were rewards for his brilliant all round performance in the game.
Attack: Lionel Messi – Miroslav Klose – Thomas Muller
Lionel Messi did start off the tournament with a flyer scoring 4 goals in the group stages itself. However, as the tournament has progressed he hasn’t looked at his devastating best, but even a half best Messi is an inspiration to the team. He has been La Albiceleste’s go-to man and more often than not he is the one who is responsible for being the inventive and creative outlet for his team.
He is just one step away from emulating what Diego Maradona achieved in the 1986 World Cup – carrying the team to victory. He is definitely an inspiration to the current crop of players and there is an eerie sense that the final score line might depend on what he does.
Thomas Muller will be the final piece in the attacking trio in this formation. He has played as a ‘False 9’ as well as played on the right wing of the attacking trio behind the lone striker, Klose. Apart from scoring goals, it is his link up play, movement off the ball, ability to find the right pass and ability to drift into right positions that makes him so hard to defend.
He was instrumental in setting up Klose with a perfectly timed and executed ball. It was his opening goal that started the German onslaught against Brazil but it was his other attributes that ensured a complete demolition job. He might very well be the next German who would end up breaking Klose’s record. With his all round ability, he might very well be the top contender to win both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball award.
In a tournament that had some of the biggest names as the leading strikers, it is still the 36-year-old Miroslav Klose that dominates headlines. He has started only two games, but he has had an impact in games even when he has come on as a substitute. He scored the all important equalizer against Ghana thereby equaling Ronaldo for most goal in World Cups. He then scored the record breaking 16th goal against Brazil which actually opened the floodgates for Germany.
Throughout the match, it was his movement off the ball and ability to play between the lines that created all sort of problems for the Brazilian defence. He will be called on again to start the final as he offers a stability and overall shape to the German team.
Manager: Joachim Loew (Germany)
After 10 years of being associated with German football and the last 6 years of being at the helm, Loew has finally achieved the dream of guiding Germany to the final of the World Cup. He has managed to use the plethora of talent available at his disposal to marshal a team that came into the tournament as favorites. Injuries and loss in form to players were something he has managed to cope with well.
It has not been an easy ride and the team did struggle against quick counter attacking oppositions, especially Ghana and Algeria. However, Loew has made some tactical changes in the formation which has ensured that Die Mannshaft look more solid and organized. He has switched to a three man midfield which offers the team better shape due to their positioning, defending and creating chances. The trio was at their devastating best against Brazil and this switch has allowed the team to dominate the last two games.
With talk of Germany struggling, the changes made by Loew have shown his tactical astuteness which has ensured a turnaround in the fortunes of the team.
