Germany's 1-0 win over Oman in the early hours of this morning, Germany's last "test match" before the World Cup, Germany's starting line-up was a disaster, if not for Oman's Gasani missing an empty chance in the second half 71 minutes, Germany may even have failed to win the game.
Lack of strength in the first half Copy Bayern's homework up front
Against Oman, coach Frick did not do his best, more to test the main players and swing between the bench, and most of the players who got the starting opportunity betrayed Frick's trust, Frick reversed some decline through substitutions in the second half, although Frick laughed after the game that the game "achieved its significance", but Frick did not deny that the team "performed better in the second half than in the first half". The result of the non-full squad does not make us completely pessimistic about Germany's World Cup prospects, but the form shown by the team still raises a lot of concerns.
In the first half, Oman unsurprisingly retracted their defense, while Germany were once again mired in the weakness of the Loew era. According to the German media's vision, Germany should rely more on Bayern's attacking gang in the World Cup, the front four in this game only Sane a Bayern player to start, he and other club teammates lack of tacit understanding, from the first half performance, Sane flickered, his performance may not be able to establish a starting position.
After Timo Werner's injury, Dort's youngster Mukoko made his German debut this time, as the youngest player in this World Cup, Mukoko shot into the post before half-time, but he tried more than enough on the field but was ineffective; The same is true of Kai Havertz behind him, Chelsea's attackers have developed good point-grabbing ability as a striker, but unlike Mueller, Havertz does not have a consistent finishing ability; Hoffmann had been the thigh of the German team for a time, but he was mediocre at the top of the game.
Considering the recent good performances of Gnabry and Musiala and others, as a former Bayern manager, whether Frick should directly use the Bayern gang to build an offensive combination is a topic of recent fan discussion, and Frick may have a clearer answer after this game. Kimmich came off the bench after the break, partnering midfielder Gundogan, the two are both playmakers who are not fully suitable, and at this stage, not only in attack, but also in the Bayern midfield, Kimmich and Gretzka, are also the most suitable midfield combination for Germany.
The wing defense is worried, copy Dort's homework at the back
Germany's problems are not only in the attack, but also in the defensive end. After the game, Frick said directly: "I am not satisfied with our defensive performance today!" We can't play like this in the World Cup! It is true that Japan has a heavy defense and light attack under Morihoichi's coaching, and Maya Yoshida has previously made it clear that Japan will focus on defensive counterattacks, and its style is precisely on the defensive weakness reflected in Germany's game.
The sweltering heat in Muscat, Oman, may be one of the reasons why German players rarely play physically, and Frick admits that German players do have a fear of injury.
Germany's biggest defensive problems of the game centred on the wings, with Leipzig wings Raum and Klostermann to blame. The form of both men in the Bundesliga this season is hardly ideal, Raum's form is a far cry from last season at Hoffenheim, and Klostermann only returned from injury not long ago, this is his first official game since the beginning of August, but only played 34 minutes before leaving the game again due to injury, and the trusted Correll moved from central back to the right wing, proving once again that he is not the first choice for Germany. Substitute Beira Kosa was the controversial addition to the German roster, and his second German game was also unconvincing, leaving fans missing Hummels, who has returned to form this season.
Due to Germany's weakness on the wing, Oman can often play quick counter-attacks on the wing. Especially the biggest weakness on the right side, Oman grabbed the right defensive gap in the 14th and 42nd minutes in the first half to complete the counter-attacking shot.
It is true that the right-back and center-forward positions are the two biggest weaknesses of the German team at present, and the left-back can also expect a weak attack and defense of Raum, and the right side is Germany's old problem. The effect of Kolostermann and Correll at right-back is difficult to say ideal, and Dort's recent cameo appearance at right-back is remarkable, and even developed a good wing assist ability, and in Germany won the World Cup in 2014, central defender Hevedes performed well at left-back. Compared to copying Bayern's work in the front, can Germany copy Dort's work in the back?
In the end, Germany had possession but did not score in the first half, and the starting Sane, Kai Havertz, Hoffmann, Gretzka and Gundogan all handed over a low-score answer.
The biggest gain of the second half: Phil Kruger
Finally, in the second half, Germany defeated Oman 1-0 thanks to Phil Kruger's goal. This became the biggest gain for the German team in this game.
Phil Kruger came off the bench in the second half and, at the age of 29 years and 280 days, became Germany's oldest non-goalkeeper to make his debut in nearly 20 years.
In 45 minutes, Phil Kruger had only four touches, but completed two shots and one goal, and he even scored twice but a goal was blown away. There is no doubt that Philkruger is a traditional centre-forward that is currently scarce in Germany. He may be outside the current slightly dragging German attacking system, but he is Germany's best solution to its lack of attack.
Bayern's recent recovery in form is full of offensive firepower, precisely because of the return of Cameroonian center Shupomotin, considering the recent excellent form of Musiala and Gnabry, if Bayern forms Bayern Gang players in the midfield, it does need a positive center to attract firepower for other players. Phil Kruger is currently second in the top scorer list with 10 goals in the Bundesliga and deserves a starting spot, both in form and character. Former German coach Klinsmann also recently supported Phil Kruger: "We need a centre-forward, we need a scorer, and calling up Phil Kruger is a great decision! ”
There is no doubt that Phil Kruger has been recognized by many fans for his debut goal, but it is too early to immediately become a regular in Germany. Frick said after the game that Phil Kruger was "very present" but did not respond positively whether Phil Kruger would start. Kickers believe that because the game's many personnel changes do not serve as a good reference, Frick is likely not to change his original strategy. Phil Kruger will most likely remain a substitute.
Frick said the game "lived up to its significance" and that results aside, the game directly exposed a number of problems with the current German team, and Phil Kruger's goal also provided an optional tactical change for the German team for the rest of the game. Will Frick deploy this accordingly? This is the moment to test the difference between him and Loew.
(Supine Push-ups/Anti Master)