Introduction:
The exhibition for the world championship in South Africa begins. Germany’s head coach Joachim Loew invited 30 players to a performance test for the upcoming World Cup in Africa. The final team will exist of 22 players. But who will it be?
Now, 30 players make themselves hope for the participation in the biggest football event of the world. The head coach Joachim ‘Jogi’ Loew is known for his unorthodox (sometimes irrational) decisions and nominations. A top issue in the recent newspapers was the expel of Thorsten Frings, who was hoping for a roster space. Loew said in an interview days ago, that Frings would have a chance, but days later Loew withdrew Frings nomination for the German team. Frings performances were not that good over the last month and he is no longer an elite midfielder. However, the way Loew treated him, was not in the nicest manner.
A similar story was the force out of Kevin Kuranyi from Schalke. He was expelled after leaving the stadium without Loew’s permission. Kuranyi is actually third place in the German league scoring nine goals. After a while you might think it was a big misunderstanding that Loew would give Kuranyi another chance after an apology and because of his performance, but you were wrong. Kuranyi will not be nominated for the German team. So it will be a big surprise who will perform in the final 22. Loew nominated three newcomers for the testing: Dennis Aogo, Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos.
Loew is not looking at the actual stats or performance of a particular player, but instead looks at the character and the integration of the player. He avoids players who speak their mind and who are to overambitious. Loew is a little bit resentful and stubborn – a peculiar one might say. Maybe this is one explanation why he has not nominated certain players with good performances (like Timo Hildebrand).
Would I say, Loew is a bad coach? No, he is a good head coach and arguably the best the Germans have had after Franz Beckenbauer. Loew has a great knowledge of the sport as well as motivation and strategy skills. He is just a little bit unconventional in his contact with players. After a third place finish in 2006 and a current sixth place world ranking, one has to think the German team will be alive in the final-rounds.
The ideal German lineup would be a 4-4-2, as seen below.
Goalkeeper:
Tim Wiese (goalie)
Defense:
Philipp Lahm (right-back)
Per Mertesacker (centre back)
Heiko Westermann (centre back)
Dennis Aogo (left-back)
Midfield:
Bastian Schweinsteiger (right-midfield)
Simon Rolfes (defensive-midfield)
Michael Ballack (center)
Marcell Jansen (left-midfield)
Forward:
Stefan Kiessling
Miroslav Klose
For a more in depth look at the entire roster please click on the links below.
GOAL
DEFENCE
MIDFIELD
FORWARD
- Tjaden F. Bricout - RotoKingdom Staff Writer