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Purring German system relentless
What you need to know:
- Of course, in as much as I would want to be objective and analytical, my patriotism would severely test my judgement.
- Germany also have a brilliant shot stopper in Manuel Neuer.
- They score from all angles and whichever formation they adopt; 4-3-3, 4-4-2, I see them winning the contest fair and square in normal time.
Luckily for me Kenya are not in the World Cup, and in the final for that matter. Imagine how tough it would have been for me to predict the outcome if our very own Harambee Stars were playing at the Maracana on Sunday.
Of course, in as much as I would want to be objective and analytical, my patriotism would severely test my judgement.
But as it is, we have two of the traditional powerhouses of European, South American and indeed world football clashing in a real heavyweight contest.
From breathtaking football played across the length and breadth of the expansive Brazil, to screaming free kicks, diving headers and cheeky back heels, the route to the final has lived up to its reputation of producing great and not so great football.
As expected, the thin line between tactical discipline and resolve was going to triumph over lacklustre display and lethargy in front of goal.
Rightly so, the Joachim Loew-coached Mannschaft and Alejandro Sabella-led La Albiceleste have emerged as the best sides from the cast. As they lock horns today, I expect the German machine to reign supreme. They deserve to lift the title going by their form, coherence and discipline.
Time and again they have showed that they are not a one man team. They embody the teamwork philosophy and discipline. In the midfield, they have players of immense pedigree who can change the course of a game with a single touch of the ball.
The Albiceleste have defied the odds to sail to the final, but I don’t think they have the endurance to withstand a well-oiled German machine that has been functioning to near perfection. To this end, I put a thousand sum to Die Mannschaft. Their tactical discipline is unmatched by any team.
Consistency has been the secret to Germany’s magnificent run.
I was lucky enough to take my coaching courses in Deutschland and their play mirror the German perfection. I see fluidity in ball movement and ruthlessness in front of goal. Every time I watch their games, I get a lot of coaching skills and this will overpower Sabella’s charges as the German’s can seamlessly switch to any system and get the desired results. The butchering they gave Brazil was by no fluke and they head into this mouth-watering duel buoyed by confidence.
UMATCHED SQUAD
Germany also have a brilliant shot stopper in Manuel Neuer. He is the world’s best and a nightmare to every striker. The Messi led three-man attack that also has Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero know this only too well. A critical look also reveals that the German team is well balanced. Loew has done well to infuse the enigmatic talents of Mesut Oezil, Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller with the experience and class of Miroslav Klose, Philip Lahm and Per Mertesacker.
These experienced players are leaders in the team. Finally, one should not forget that they are a compact side and do not rely on one person to score.
They score from all angles and whichever formation they adopt; 4-3-3, 4-4-2, I see them winning the contest fair and square in normal time.
Jacob‘Ghost’ Mulee is Harambee Stars technical director