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Germany will be looking to be the first team to successfully defend the World Cup. This is a feat that no team has managed since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.
However, this is no ordinary team as the current version of the famous German machine looks like it has all the tools required to do the job.
Since that historic win in 2014, a significant number of players have either dropped in form or retired from Die Mannschaft’s setup and a new crop have come in.
Phillip Lahm, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski are among the stellar names that have said Auf Wiedersehen (Goodbye) to the national team. Meanwhile, the heroes of the final in 2014; Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle have dropped form badly and have been in and out of the team.
Joachim Löw’s 23-man squad to Russia 2018 has raised a lot of dust particularly the dropping of Manchester City winger Leroy Sané and Bayer Leverkusen goalie Bernd Leno. However, the manager has always emphasized the team ethic over individual performances, an approach that was pivotal in the team winning the World Cup 4 years ago.
Here is a look at the team’s components and its chances at the Mundial:
#1 Goalkeepers
Few nations have the quality that the Germans have in goal and the dropping of Leno wasn’t as big a shock. However, eyebrows have been raised over the inclusion of PSG’s Kevin Trapp eve after he spent a large portion of the season as deputy to Alphonse Areola.
This has been done because Leno has been disappointing in the games he has been picked for by Germany, a far cry for Trapp who has been decent every time he has been chosen by Löw.
There are no surprises however over the inclusion of captain Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) despite his long absence due to injury as he is, without doubt, the best goalie in the world and gives the backline a level of confidence that the other goalies cannot muster at this point.
Barcelona number one Marc Andre ter-Stegen had an amazing season and has confirmed his status as one of the world’s top goalies. However, he is expected to be the back-up to Neuer once the tournament starts.
#2 Defence
The central defence alongside the goalkeeping position is Germany’s biggest strength and this is reflected in the team chosen to prosecute the World Cup defence. Bayern Munich trio: Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, and Nicklas Sule are on the plane to Russia and should provide the pair who will start most games at the World Cup.
Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Matthias Ginter are the other centre-backs in the team. Both players will be expected to deputize at right-back if need be.
Germany is not the strongest nation when it comes to fullbacks and although Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is one of the best right-backs in world football, he is the only one in the team. Cologne’s Jonas Hector and Matthias Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin) will occupy the left back slot.
Make no mistake, with Neuer or Ter-Stegen behind this defence, scoring against the Germans at the World Cup is not going to be an easy task.
#3 Midfield
Multiple times UEFA Champions League winner Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) will be responsible for determining the pace and tempo with which Germany will attack and defend during the tournament. He is expected to be partnered by Juventus’ dynamic midfielder Sami Khedira.
Arsenal’s Mesut Özil will be chiefly responsible for adding guile and precision to the German attack. He is expected to occupy the number 10 role and his passing will be critical in the team’s efforts going forward.
Leon Goretzka and Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich) alongside Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City) will provide defensive/attacking options for the team in the center of the pitch.
Sané may have been dropped by Löw but the Germany team has plenty of quality down the flanks with Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) expected to play a key role in his first tournament appearance for Die Mannschaft. The two Julians: Draxler (PSG) and Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen) will provide extra quality as well down the wings.
#4 Attack
For a nation that has had the likes of Gerd Müeller, Jürgen Klinsmann, Rudi Völler, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and others, the current Germany side lacks a truly world-class striker.
The archpriest of the Raumdeuter ( a player who is skilled at using space more effectively than others) style, Thomas Müller(Bayern Munich) will be looking to add to the 10 goals he has already scored at the World Cup in 2010 and 2014.
Competing with him for a place in Germany’s starting XI will be RB Leipzig’s trio Timo Werner whose pace and intelligence will be an asset for the team especially in the tight games.
The most experienced striker in the team but also the one least likely to start, VfB Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez is a surprise inclusion in the team.
This German side has a few weak spots (fullbacks and the striking position) but as is usual with them, expect the collective cohesion and individual quality to see the team go far at the World Cup. It would be foolish to bet against them retaining the trophy
