Overview:
1996 was the last time Die Mannshaft lifted the European despite being among the favorites in the past two Euros.
In 2008’s edition of the Euros, the Germans lost the final to a Spanish side that was beginning an era of dominance in World Football. A 33rd minute Fernando Torres strike was enough to give Spain the cup in Austria that year.
In 2012, the Germans never hit their full stride and were undone by Italy in the semifinals. Two goals from Mario Balotelli put Italy in front and while Mesut Ozil pulled a goal back from the penalty spot late in the match, Italy held on to advance to the final, where they were soundly beaten by Spain.
The German golden generation of players finally lifted a major trophy in 2014. The Germans cruised through the World Cup eliminating France and decimating Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals. In the final, a superb Mario Goetze strike in extra time saw the Nationalelf slip past Argentina to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1990.
Germany is a favorite to win the cup this summer and anything short of glory in France will be looked at as a failure. There is a feeling amongst the Germans that the team needs to win the European trophy to be considered an all-time great side. Without that, this team won’t be held in the same regard as the West German team from the 1970’s. For players like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira, this could be their last chance to win the Euro, failing to do so would be a blemish on careers that have seen these players win almost every other important trophy in world and European football.
Strengths:
An Efficient Machine
Two years removed from their World Cup win in Rio, it’s safe to say this German team is still a formidable foe for any team they play. The current team’s most important strength, as well as many previous German teams, is the way this collection of players finds a way to play cohesively.
There is an absence of ego about the way the German team plays. No matter whom Joachim Low puts in his starting eleven, the players understand their roles and everyone works for each other. German teams have always been considered efficient and their collective play is often greater than the sum of its parts.
This version of the German team is no different. In previous years there would sometimes be factions of players from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and there have been rumors that not everyone got along in the locker room. There was friction between those two club cliques leading into the 2014 World Cup, but the Germans always find a way to leave their differences aside when it comes to representing their country. With Mats Hummels recent transfer from Dortmund to Bayern, Ilkay Gundogan’s transfer from Dortmund to Manchester City and the absence of Dortmund’s star, Marco Reus, due to injury, there seems to even less opportunity for division than in previous tournaments.
Midfield Play
The German midfield will also be a strength. Though Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan are out of contention with injuries, Coach Low still has a deeper midfield than most teams in Europe. Bastian Schweinsteiger’s return to fitness means Low has some difficult selection decisions to make. Some combination of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mario Goetze and Andre Schurrle will start every game, which also means Low will have quality options off the bench.
The midfield’s ability to keep possession wears out opponents who have to chase the ball all game long and having players like Khedira and Schweinsteiger in the side gives the German defense plenty of protection.
Creative players like Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos will have ample opportunity to play deadly passes in attacking positions. Unlike in the 2014 World Cup, Ozil comes into this tournament in excellent form. He was Arsenal’s player of the season in 2015/16 and set Premier League records for chances created. Toni Kroos also had a fine year, finishing his season by winning the ultimate prize in club football when Real Madrid won the Champions League this past May.
Fellow midfielder/forward Thomas Muller will be salivating at playing with two players who have such amazing vision and the ability to play pinpoint passes as Ozil and Kroos. Muller is better than anyone in the world at utilizing space. He gets in behind defenders and always seems to pop-up in key moments. If Ozil and Kroos get into rhythm with Muller, then the German attack may be unstoppable.
Weaknesses:
The Back Four
The biggest weakness for this year’s version of the German National Team is the defense, particularly at full-back. Mats Hummels and Jerome Boetang should continue to anchor the German defense, but there are big question-marks over who Coach Low will play on the flanks.
Phillip Lahm’s retirement after the 2014 World Cup has weakened the German backline substantially. Lahm, acting as Captain, was a tremendous leader for the German side. Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, widely considered one of the world’s top coaches, called Lahm the smartest player he ever worked with and it’s that intelligence to read the game and communicate to his fellow defenders that Die Mannshaft will miss the most.
Some combination of Roma’s Antonio Rudiger, Schalke’s Benedict Howedes and Cologne’s Jonas Hector are most likely to play on the wing, though none is considered a true full-back. Hector has the most pace out of the three defenders, plays at left back with his club side, and can get forward to support the attack, so expect to see him in that role.
Striker
The other weakness for the Germans is at the forward position. Germany has failed to produce a lights out striker since Miroslav Klose, who even at 35 years old was Joachim Low’s first choice as striker at the 2014 World Cup. Klose retired after the tournament in Brazil, so Coach Low will have to look elsewhere for a striker.
Mario Gomez hopes to play that role for the Germans but his style of play isn’t suited for the national team. Similar to the situation that Diego Costa is in for Spain, Gomez is a poacher and isn’t necessary suited to hold up the ball and help create opportunities, which often makes him ineffective when he pulls on the white and black of Germany.
There’s a chance that Low might opt to play Thomas Muller up top as he’s done in the past, especially with as much depth as the German midfield has, but Low would rather have a true striker to turn to. All signs are that Gomez will get the start up top, but the decision will be a grudging one from Low.
Wildcard:
Joachim Low’s tactics
In the past two major tournaments Joachim Low has tinkered with his side throughout the group stages trying different variations of players as well as tactics. Low has tried playing Muller as a false number nine, experimented with four center backs in defense, playing Phillip Lahm in midfield, and the results haven’t been very positive.
German supporters were calling for Low’s head after heavy experimentation during the group stages of Euro 2012 left the side looking disjointed. Many Germans credit Low’s tinkering as the reason the German team never hit its full stride at the Euros that year and the reason that the German’s didn’t look like themselves against an Italy side they should have beaten in the semifinals.
If Low decides to start experimenting with the team’s style of play, formation or personnel, it may be Die Mannshafts undoing this summer.
