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The defending World Cup champions Germany had a very sloppy start to their campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Mexico. The Germans were outplayed in pace, stamina, awareness by the Mexican players.
Hirving Lozano who scored the goal for Mexico was given too much space to operate in the wing and made Germany pay. The German players pondered too much with the ball and lacked the instinct and determination to score goals.
In their second game against Sweden, Germany were more more aggressive, penetrated the tough Swedish defense and secured a 2-1 to stay alive in the World Cup due to Toni Kroos stunning free-kick in the 95th minute.
South Korea on the other hand are a good team unit who lost 1-0 against Sweden in which VAR played a major role in awarding a penalty for Sweden to score from. In their second game against Mexico, they were outdone by Mexico's counter-attacking football and lost the game 2-0.
Being tied with Sweden at 3 points each in the group table, Germany will have to beat South Korea in order to qualify for the knockout stages. They have come out strong from the start against South Korea and be ruthless in front of the goal.
It will probably be the defining game of Group F, as the result of this game might indicate the two teams who will qualify for the knockout matches. Let us have a look at 3 German players to watch out for in today's game.
#3 Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich is one of the most promising youngsters to watch out for at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Having so many expectations on his young shoulders, Kimmich was completely outplayed by the talented Mexican winger Hirving Lozano in their first group stage match.
In the first match against Mexico, Kimmich ventured forward rather too much and hence was caught out of position during Mexico's counter-match. He also had no answer to Hirving Lozano's dribbling abilities and terrific pace. Kimmich had a decent game against Sweden but was nowhere near his best form.
Germany would expect Kimmich to handle South Korean wingers much better defensively as it is more likely that they will be more adventurous than Swedish wingers and deliver beautiful crosses into South Korea's penalty box for the German strikers to score goals.
#2 Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is one of the most senior and experienced players in the current German squad. The team looks upon him to dominate possession and play innovative passes in order to beat the opposition's defense.
He was the only German player, who came very close to level the score against Mexico when his free-kick unfortunately struck the bar. The Mexican midfielders especially Hector Herrera, didn't allow him sufficient time and space to influence the game in the first half.
Having lost possession at a crucial time which led to Sweden's goal in the first half, Kroos was more aggressive in the second half as he dominated possession, created chances for Germany and rectified his error by curling a free-kick into the opposition's goal.
Being the best playmaker for Germany, Kroos will be expected to dominate the proceedings against South Korea. The South Korean midfielders will also take a leaf from Mexico's first-half performance and will look to close down Kroos very quickly.
They also shouldn't concede free-kicks in dangerous areas from where dead ball specialist Kroos is likely to hit the target as he did in the second game.
#1 Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller is the best goal-scorer in the current German squad. Being played as a right winger, Muller did not get sufficient goal-scoring opportunities against Mexico. Low should ponder over the option of playing Muller as a centre-forward as he is more likely to score for Germany than any other player.
Being subdued by the Mexican defense in the first half, Muller was more lively in the second half and delivered two dangerous crosses into the box. He also didn't have a good game against Sweden and hence will look to open his goal-scoring account against South Korea
His darting runs behind the South Korean defense, poaching skills and the hunger to win the game for Germany will be quite entertaining for the fans to watch today.
