Sweden v Germany
Germany seem stronger, having delivered consistent all round performances against vastly different teams. They are on form, having won all 3 games. Personnel wise, Ballack is back from injury, they have 3 strikers with goals - with Klose looking particularly clinical and are plahng at home. The play of their full backs have been an added bonus - often adding an extra dimension to a already strong attacking corps.
Sweden have failed to fire. They have seemed a little rusty and their performances have been more competent than creative. The good news is that their strikers are getting shots on goal, but their finishing is still a little woeful. Against teams that seem to want to play, Sweden have been effective, running and passing with aplomb in midfield. Their defence is a little slow but haven't been unduly shabby.
Germany have to play their natural game, keeping an eye to man mark Zlatan while remembering not to give Sweden any space just outside the penalty area. Their midfield should deal with the creativity, or lack thereof, of Sweden's midfield and their fullbacks should overlap at every opportunity. Forcing Larrson to play as a striker and not a half striker who can playemake is key. They also have to be tidy on set pieces as the Scandinavians are more than adept at scoring off them.
Sweden has to defend as a unit, up the park as the Germans are not the speediest. Close out Klose and cramp Podolski out onto the sides of the penalty area where the lack of angles seems to inhibit him. they have to be tidy in midfield, not giving the ball away. Willhelmsson should try to harry Ballack at every opportunity while Ljungberg has to track back to nullify Lahm and or Schnieder. It's a tough ask for Swden as they will be out footballed in the open. They have to keep it tight at the back and move balls up to Zlatan and Larsson while taking their chances off set pieces.
Prediction:
Germany to win 2-0.
Outcome:
Sweden were limp, Germany vibrant. Imposing their superiority on midfield, the Germans created more, ran more, passed more and shot more. Lehmann made some crucial stops in net for Germany while Zlatan turned and twisted but could not find any potency. Klose was seminal, Podolski was lively, Lahm the closest we've seen to a reincarnation of the old Roberto Carlos. Germany deserved it all the way.
When Larrson stepped up to take the penalty to clawa goal back - you just knew he was going to miss it. Miss it he did. Lucic was a bity unlucky to get sent off but Both Sweden and him have had a tournament to forget.
Germany 2 - Podolski 2
Sweden 0
Argentina v Mexico
Argentina have so many weapons and so many options that they can hurty ou from all angles. Impervious of any weaknesses only their lack of belief, if any, can do them in. Mind games are everything. Arguably the pick of the first round, they are on form and have rotated wisely and well.
Mexico have started brightly but then faded. They have the personnel to be a thorn in most teams' sides but their mental conditioning has to be questioned, their finishing going from clinical to abysmal in the space of one half of football. They are plucky, full of stamina and running and can work the ball around with gusto.
Argentina just has to watch the set pieces as the Mexicans are very flexible and versatile both in the air or on the ground. Control of the midfield is key as well as keeping Bravo and Zinha out of space. If they just pass and work the ball into the penalty box, Argentina's strikers will eventually notch a goal but they must not lose hope if the mexicans prove hard to break down or if they take an early lead off a well taken set piece. Riquelme has to be protected. Let him have space.
Mexico has to watch Riquelme. Crowd him out and narrow his options, and Argentuina will have trouble creating chances. They have to put the aging backline, marshalled by Roberto Ayala, under pressure with speedy runs and long passes into space. Cambiasso might be an excellent foil while on attack but his defensive anchoring is not up to speed. Pass around him or on the flanks and the South Americans could be beaten - Crosses are key. Be physical as the Ivorians showed.
Prediction:
Argentina to win 3-1
Outcome:
As predicted, Mexcio threatened of set pieces, taking a well worked lead off one of them. Riquelme was harried and seemed off colour. Mexico were unlucky wheh Jared Borgetti headed into his own net, and I think Crespo should have been fouled for lifting his boot so high. All the same, Argentina and Mexico both passed the ball around with aplomb and the game was lively end to end.
At the other end, Heinze was lucky not to be sent off when Fonseca capitalized on his mistake to poke the ball past him and be clean through on goal. Heinze got booked, but should have been sent off - the rules are clear. Mexico then, was lucky when Messi's goal off Tevez' pass was ruled out for an offside flag on the former. He may have seemed offside but one can clearly see a Mexican defender on the far side of the box playing Tevez onside. That levelled things up.
So, a really close game was decided in extra time by a mercurial one time volley from Maxi Rodriguez. Receiving a pass on the right corner of the box with a defender on him, he turned in one motion and fired a volley into the top left corner of the goal. Sanchez stood no chance. Goal came off open play and was the product of the one thing Argentina had that Mexico did not - matchwinners. Argentina just about deserved it, Mexico can hold their heads high.
Argentina 2 - Crespo/Borgetti og, Rodriguez
Mexico 1 - Marquez
Germany seem stronger, having delivered consistent all round performances against vastly different teams. They are on form, having won all 3 games. Personnel wise, Ballack is back from injury, they have 3 strikers with goals - with Klose looking particularly clinical and are plahng at home. The play of their full backs have been an added bonus - often adding an extra dimension to a already strong attacking corps.
Sweden have failed to fire. They have seemed a little rusty and their performances have been more competent than creative. The good news is that their strikers are getting shots on goal, but their finishing is still a little woeful. Against teams that seem to want to play, Sweden have been effective, running and passing with aplomb in midfield. Their defence is a little slow but haven't been unduly shabby.
Germany have to play their natural game, keeping an eye to man mark Zlatan while remembering not to give Sweden any space just outside the penalty area. Their midfield should deal with the creativity, or lack thereof, of Sweden's midfield and their fullbacks should overlap at every opportunity. Forcing Larrson to play as a striker and not a half striker who can playemake is key. They also have to be tidy on set pieces as the Scandinavians are more than adept at scoring off them.
Sweden has to defend as a unit, up the park as the Germans are not the speediest. Close out Klose and cramp Podolski out onto the sides of the penalty area where the lack of angles seems to inhibit him. they have to be tidy in midfield, not giving the ball away. Willhelmsson should try to harry Ballack at every opportunity while Ljungberg has to track back to nullify Lahm and or Schnieder. It's a tough ask for Swden as they will be out footballed in the open. They have to keep it tight at the back and move balls up to Zlatan and Larsson while taking their chances off set pieces.
Prediction:
Germany to win 2-0.
Outcome:
Sweden were limp, Germany vibrant. Imposing their superiority on midfield, the Germans created more, ran more, passed more and shot more. Lehmann made some crucial stops in net for Germany while Zlatan turned and twisted but could not find any potency. Klose was seminal, Podolski was lively, Lahm the closest we've seen to a reincarnation of the old Roberto Carlos. Germany deserved it all the way.
When Larrson stepped up to take the penalty to clawa goal back - you just knew he was going to miss it. Miss it he did. Lucic was a bity unlucky to get sent off but Both Sweden and him have had a tournament to forget.
Germany 2 - Podolski 2
Sweden 0
Argentina v Mexico
Argentina have so many weapons and so many options that they can hurty ou from all angles. Impervious of any weaknesses only their lack of belief, if any, can do them in. Mind games are everything. Arguably the pick of the first round, they are on form and have rotated wisely and well.
Mexico have started brightly but then faded. They have the personnel to be a thorn in most teams' sides but their mental conditioning has to be questioned, their finishing going from clinical to abysmal in the space of one half of football. They are plucky, full of stamina and running and can work the ball around with gusto.
Argentina just has to watch the set pieces as the Mexicans are very flexible and versatile both in the air or on the ground. Control of the midfield is key as well as keeping Bravo and Zinha out of space. If they just pass and work the ball into the penalty box, Argentina's strikers will eventually notch a goal but they must not lose hope if the mexicans prove hard to break down or if they take an early lead off a well taken set piece. Riquelme has to be protected. Let him have space.
Mexico has to watch Riquelme. Crowd him out and narrow his options, and Argentuina will have trouble creating chances. They have to put the aging backline, marshalled by Roberto Ayala, under pressure with speedy runs and long passes into space. Cambiasso might be an excellent foil while on attack but his defensive anchoring is not up to speed. Pass around him or on the flanks and the South Americans could be beaten - Crosses are key. Be physical as the Ivorians showed.
Prediction:
Argentina to win 3-1
Outcome:
As predicted, Mexcio threatened of set pieces, taking a well worked lead off one of them. Riquelme was harried and seemed off colour. Mexico were unlucky wheh Jared Borgetti headed into his own net, and I think Crespo should have been fouled for lifting his boot so high. All the same, Argentina and Mexico both passed the ball around with aplomb and the game was lively end to end.
At the other end, Heinze was lucky not to be sent off when Fonseca capitalized on his mistake to poke the ball past him and be clean through on goal. Heinze got booked, but should have been sent off - the rules are clear. Mexico then, was lucky when Messi's goal off Tevez' pass was ruled out for an offside flag on the former. He may have seemed offside but one can clearly see a Mexican defender on the far side of the box playing Tevez onside. That levelled things up.
So, a really close game was decided in extra time by a mercurial one time volley from Maxi Rodriguez. Receiving a pass on the right corner of the box with a defender on him, he turned in one motion and fired a volley into the top left corner of the goal. Sanchez stood no chance. Goal came off open play and was the product of the one thing Argentina had that Mexico did not - matchwinners. Argentina just about deserved it, Mexico can hold their heads high.
Argentina 2 - Crespo/Borgetti og, Rodriguez
Mexico 1 - Marquez
Oi! What's all this then? England gets sacked and then you post bugger all! There's still a few games left yet, mate. So quit fannyin' round, get off the effin' pot and sort it out. Bodge it if ye have to, but there's work to be done. Keep your pecker up, kid!
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