5 reasons why Germany will win the 2014 World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup, after so much of action, finally boils down to the solitary match which will decide the outcome of an extraordinary tournament.Germany, who for long have been choking in the final stages in previous editions,find themselves one win away from victory and a Messi-led Argentina is all that stands in the way.We take a look at fivereasons why Germany will walk end the night with their fourthWorld Cup trophy.

#1 An in-form Manuel Neuer to complement Mats Hummels

Back in 1974, when West Germany defeated the legendary Dutch side, the man who took centre stage was Franz Beckenbauer; one of the best exponents of the sweeper role. Come to 2014, Germany have two players who are reminiscent of the great Der Kaiser.

Mats Hummels, whose two goals have been of great importance, has earned a reputation as one of the most complete centre backs with the ability to assist in attack. As seen in the semi-final, Argentina will be sitting back deep in their own half, which necessitates the need for Hummels to play higher up the field while covering the defence on a break.

That aspect is where Manuel Neuer is vital. Germany’s Round of 16 match against Algeria was a perfect example of why he is the foremost player in their title charge. While he was playing off his line against Algeria, he didn’t have to against France in the quarter-final and came away with a clean sheet. What this proves is that he is a highly adaptable goalkeeper whose shot-stopping abilities and tactical approach hugely increase his team’s chances of winning.

With two of the most dynamic defensive players who complement each other, it will be hard to pick apart their defense.

#2 High on confidence after 7-1 demolition of Brazil

When Germany took on Brazil in the semi-final, no one in their wildest dreams imagined a 7-1 score line at full time. The result was one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history; along the likes of the Miracle of Bern and Maracanazo. Having achieved such an extraordinary result, Germany go into the final high on confidence. Their team has the belief that what they did to Brazil on home soil, they could do to Argentina as well.

Argentina are clearly nowhere near Germany’s lofty position. They pulled off one of the most dismal performances in the World Cup and scraped through after some poor execution by Netherlands. Despite being one of the favourites, the Argentine team has looked disoriented throughout the tournament.

Adding to that, their 4-0 loss to Germany four years ago certainly makes them underdogs in the final. While being the underdog may be favourable on any other day, the World Cup Final just isn’t the place for such a tag.

#3 Germanys midfield is far superior Argentinas

The modern-day football manager is required to analyze far too much before sending out his forces to play. A tactical masterclass is what every manager aims for in his team’s performance as that is seen as the standard nowadays. However, for Joachim Loew, such problems are far too less. His team is blessed with arguably the best set of midfielders in the tournament.

Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira have been just about perfect. While Kroos is played ahead of the other two, it is their high pressing game which makes helps Khedira wins possession while Schweinsteiger oversees the defense. As Philipp Lahm has moved to right back, this trio has been used and, honestly, they are yet to put a foot wrong.

Kroos has been nominated for the Golden Ball, and seeing as he rarely gets recognition, this nomination is testament to his abilities as a playmaker. There have been varied opinions about him, but at the end of the day, he justifies all the praises he receives. Schweinsteiger’s withdrawn role has seen Germany dominate the midfield with Lahm coming in from right back to add more men and increase ball retention.

Khedira has been doing the work of a destroyer quite well and Kroos’ creativity was well-established against Brazil when he set up one goal and made the key pass in another – not to mention, grabbing 2 goals himself. Argentina’s midfield is nowhere near the quality of Germany’s and Lionel Messi has been coming off his line to join them which results in a lack of men near the box.

Javier Mascherano was applauded for his performance against the Dutch by not allowing their midfield to function efficiently. However, against Germany, he would not have players playing near his line apart from Klose, who usually operates just outside the penalty box. Kroos plays about 30 yards from goal where it is easy for him to control the ball and spread it towards the wide areas. And to counter this, no team has found a plausible solution.

Added to this is Germany’s proficiency at set-pieces, with Kroos going in as a dead-ball specialist, whose free-kicks into the box have been excellent. Argentina’s defence faces yet another problem in this regard.

#4 Argentinas over-reliance on Lionel Messi could cost them

Well, this has been evident from their matches throughout this World Cup. A team which promises so much with names such as Lavezzi, Higuain, Aguero and Di Maria has looked lost when Messi failed to find his stride. Of the 7 goals the team has scored in open play, Messi has been involved directly or indirectly in 6. While some may call such as the brilliance of Messi, it really comes down to Argentina’s inability to perform beyond him.

In the semi-final against Netherlands, Messi was ineffective for most parts of the game as the team operated far too deep in their own half. Messi, as an exponent of Barcelona’s system, is used to playing between the opposition midfield and defence, while he wasn’t made to against Netherlands. What is indicative of such a plan is that, the coach has decided to defend deep and attack on the counter with the onus on Messi to initiate attacks.

Against the Netherlands, it didn’t work out and it is highly unlikely against the Germans as well, who have been very good at defending on the break in their past two matches. In 1986, perhaps, Maradona stunned the world by leading his team single-handedly to victory. But with the advent of tactical evolution in football and seeing as any player’s style can be boiled down to the basics, Messi alone will never do the trick.

What Netherlands taught the world in 1974, couldn’t have been more expressed in 2010, and 2014 shall play suit to that as well – 11 men make a football team, not 1. Germany sure have a penchant for the former.

#5 Germany\'s newfound approach will be recipe to success

When they humbled Brazil in the semi-final, there wasn’t much of a display of emotions or rejoicing. To further intensify that claim, Oliver Bierhoff, the team manager had indicated that the team never really celebrated after their 1-0 win over France in the quarter-final either. Neuer’s exasperation at the Oscar goal just seconds before the final whistle made it clear. Throughout the tournament, irrespective of how they have performed, Joachim Loew has cut much of an emotion-less figure on the touchline.

There has been single-mindedness in Die Mannschaft’s camp, none of the players have withered away at any point of time nor have they been overwhelmed in their victories. The German supporters have been jubilant, but the team has shown no such thing. They have been merciless with their approach, a tactically flexible side which does their talking on the pitch. Against a well-organized Argentine side, Die Mannschaft will be up to task just as they were in the previous games. There wouldn’t be much of action on the field that is irrelevant to their aim; the side will be solely focused on winning the trophy.

With the other managers taking a distracted approach, the German team is all pointed on one and only one thing – winning that trophy. A lot of factors have contributed to such a burning desire; Loew’s desire to achieve with his side, their choking in the past two World Cups, and not having won the trophy for 24 years. While everyone wants Messi to win the trophy he deserves, Miroslav Klose deserves it the most, not Messi. And that shall be the greatest motivation the Germans can get.

So far, they have overcome lot of difficulties without much of euphoria and that will continue until the referee blows the whistle for full time in the final. For then, all these would vanish in the bliss of winning.

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Edited by Staff Editor