GERMANY vs. ALGERIA
Round of 16 - Game 6
Round of 16 - Game 6
Date: June 30, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 2-0-0 Algeria
Last Match: 1982 World Cup (Group Stage). Algeria def. West Germany 2-1.
Line: Germany -400
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Germany (2nd), Algeria (22nd)
Managers: Joachim Low (GER), Vahid Halilhodzic (ALG)
Captains: Philipp Lahm (GER), Madjid Bougherra (ALG)
World Cup Appearances: 18 (GER), 4 (ALG)
Best Finish: Germany (3x Champions, Last in 1990), Algeria (3x Group Stage, Last in 2010)
Qualifying Records: Germany (9-0-1, GF: 36, GA: 10), Algeria (6-2-0, GF: 16, GA: 7)
Previous Game Results
Germany
Algeria
June 17th - Belgium def. Algeria 2-1
June 26th - Algeria tied Russia 1-1
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Algeria: Nabil Bentaleb (Yellow Card), Madjid Bougherra (Yellow Card), Liassine Cadamuro-Bentaiba (Yellow Card), Nabil Ghilas (Yellow Card), Djamel Mesbah (Yellow Card)
Overview
The second game of the day is a bigger mismatch then the first according to oddsmakers. Some places have Germany as high as a 2-goal favourite in this Round of 16 match against Algeria. It's Algeria's first time in the knockout round of the World Cup, while Germany have finished 3rd or better in every World Cup since 2002.
It would be a mistake for Germany to overlook this Algerian side though. Capable defensively and lightning-quick on the counter-attack, Algeria have the potential to compete with any squad in the world and will surely make Germany work for everything in this game.
Fortunately for Algeria, they're up against a German squad that is still trying to figure out the formula for winning this World Cup. Constantly tinkering with their personnel, Germany have looked out of sorts in this tournament, despite scoring 7 goals and winning their group comfortably. It's a testament to their excellence over the years that a group showing like this is considered disappointing.
Algeria themselves have shuffled their personnel through the tournament although primarily to give a different look to teams. 17 different players started for Algeria in the group stage, so Vahid Halilhodzic should have plenty of decisions to make in choosing his squad. Regardless of personnel, expect this to be a side loaded with defenders but ready to spring out in attack if Germany are caught in the offensive end.
Another big question to watch in this game is the Miroslav Klose goal watch. Not likely to start again but should make an appearance off the bench at some point this game. The 36 year old German striker is tied with Brazil's Ronaldo on 15 career World Cup goals, the most of anyone in history. Klose you can imagine is desperately seeking one more tally to take hold of the all-time goal record.
Personnel
In the German Third: Some potential for concern for Germany when Algeria counter-attack. Algeria the long ball to their striker and wingers to create one on one chances. Germany full of elite talent in the back end but not the ideal pace to keep up with the Algerians at a full sprint. Germany the better team when their defence gets set but have to be careful on the fast break. Advantage: Cautiously Germany.
In the Midfield: There was a stat ESPN posted in the early minutes of Germany's last game. After about 6-7 minutes, Germany had completed 73 passes. The U.S. had completed 7. No one dominates midfield possession and tempo like Germany. Advantage: Germany.
In the Algerian Third: Germany may again try a new lineup of personnel and will surely shift positions during the game. Too much skill and players capable of scoring for Algeria to handle though, regardless of roles. Advantage: Germany.
Goalkeeping: M'Bolhi has been passable in the Algerian goal despite surrendering 5 goals this tournament. No match for Manuel Neuer in the German net though. Advantage: Germany.
It would be a mistake for Germany to overlook this Algerian side though. Capable defensively and lightning-quick on the counter-attack, Algeria have the potential to compete with any squad in the world and will surely make Germany work for everything in this game.
Fortunately for Algeria, they're up against a German squad that is still trying to figure out the formula for winning this World Cup. Constantly tinkering with their personnel, Germany have looked out of sorts in this tournament, despite scoring 7 goals and winning their group comfortably. It's a testament to their excellence over the years that a group showing like this is considered disappointing.
Algeria themselves have shuffled their personnel through the tournament although primarily to give a different look to teams. 17 different players started for Algeria in the group stage, so Vahid Halilhodzic should have plenty of decisions to make in choosing his squad. Regardless of personnel, expect this to be a side loaded with defenders but ready to spring out in attack if Germany are caught in the offensive end.
Another big question to watch in this game is the Miroslav Klose goal watch. Not likely to start again but should make an appearance off the bench at some point this game. The 36 year old German striker is tied with Brazil's Ronaldo on 15 career World Cup goals, the most of anyone in history. Klose you can imagine is desperately seeking one more tally to take hold of the all-time goal record.
Personnel
In the German Third: Some potential for concern for Germany when Algeria counter-attack. Algeria the long ball to their striker and wingers to create one on one chances. Germany full of elite talent in the back end but not the ideal pace to keep up with the Algerians at a full sprint. Germany the better team when their defence gets set but have to be careful on the fast break. Advantage: Cautiously Germany.
In the Midfield: There was a stat ESPN posted in the early minutes of Germany's last game. After about 6-7 minutes, Germany had completed 73 passes. The U.S. had completed 7. No one dominates midfield possession and tempo like Germany. Advantage: Germany.
In the Algerian Third: Germany may again try a new lineup of personnel and will surely shift positions during the game. Too much skill and players capable of scoring for Algeria to handle though, regardless of roles. Advantage: Germany.
Goalkeeping: M'Bolhi has been passable in the Algerian goal despite surrendering 5 goals this tournament. No match for Manuel Neuer in the German net though. Advantage: Germany.
Germany will win if:
Lather, rinse, repeat. There are few teams in the world that Germany need to adjust their tactics for and Algeria isn't one of them. Control the ball in the Algerian half and be wary of the quick ball over the top of their defenders and they will win this game.
Algeria will win if:
Try to frustrate Germany in your own half. Best way to do that is an aggressive zone type defence. Try to harry them on the ball but don't allow yourself to be pulled out of position. Offensively, look for long balls to players matched up against Howedes and Mertesacker and take advantage of their lack of speed. Get anything on goal when they have a chance, because there won't be many opportunities.
I like Algeria and I think given the right matchup, they could make some waves in this round. Germany isn't the right matchup. Germany wins comfortably, scores in both halves.
Germany 3-0 Algeria.
No comments:
Post a Comment