Germany vs Poland - preview

VS

- Latest events

GERMANY

·         It wasn’t the best of games, but Germany ended up with a secure win, where their mistakes were not transformed into something worse

·         Focus needs to be grander, as Poland is a better team, confident, and that knows how to beat the Germans   

·         Hummels is still a doubt, and his absence might be gold for Lewandowski and Milik

POLAND

·         Adam Nawalka’s squad was brilliant against Northern Ireland, with their only problem being the amount of chances they failed to convert in goal.    

·         Lewandowski was subject to tight marking, but he will surely have more space to play against Germany, which doesn’t mean that it will be easier for him to be dangerous.      

·         Poland knows a win qualifies them, and the win in qualification makes sure that the Polish won’t just try and defend.     

- Areas to follow

GERMANY

·         Defense

Hummels has been injured, and him starting against Poland it’s a question mark that Low will answer by time the games start. The defensive side was a bit underwhelming against Ukraine, letting the opponent create good chances that, with the a better attitude or quality, could have punished Germany

·         Midfield

Kroos was a giant, and one of the main reasons for Germany’s win, as the powerful midfielder was everywhere, demanding the ball from his colleagues, and making the game flow with quality. Khedira needs to step up his game though, as Kroos can be engulfed by the Polish towers.  

·         Attack

Gotze was completely useless in that position of striker, as he has neither the size, potency, culture. Nothing really, and that translated in a shocker of a game that was saved by the two goals his team scored anyway. But this will be a problem down the line for the Germans.

             

POLAND

·            Defense

Barely tested, merit for the Polish defense as, when Nor.Ireland was approaching, they dealt with the threat fairly competently. The game against Germany will, naturally, be much harder and Pazdan and Glik need to confirm they are one of the most solid center back duos in the competition.  

·             Midfield

 Kapustka was sent to the start against Nor.Ireland and he surprised half of the world with his quality, carrying of the ball, and fantastic maturity for a 19yr old. We knew what Kapustka was able to do, but not even us in FIL thought he would be such an influence. But he has the quality, and Cracovia must be relishing a record sell.     

·             Attack

Lewandowski knows the defenders he’s going to play, better than anyone. They know him too, but Lewa knows that, unlike the first game, he won’t be the target of a super-tight h-h marking, and he will have much more space to work with Milik.     

- FIL’S VERDICT

 Germany and Poland won both their games and will now face knowing a win, or even a draw, will probably qualify them. It has the potential to be one of the best games of the group stage of this competition and surely the players won’t disappoint.

 A lot of the game will be dependent of Hummels’ physical condition, as if he plays Lewandowski and Milik will have much more trouble in creating chances. But it won’t be impossible, Kapustka is a player that can play between the lines and be creative outlet Poland needs to surprise Germany again.

 Low’s team had a secure game and will want to win, in order to prove they are ready to lift the trophy, but they face a good opposition that plays very well against the high line the Germans will use. A great game in perpective.

 

FIL’S PREDICTION

GERMANY 2-1 POLAND