No Mueller, no problem for Loew
Source: Agencies |
July 5, 2010, Monday
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GERMANY will need to replace suspended four-time goal scorer Thomas Mueller when it takes on Spain in their World Cup semifinal on Wednesday but that will be no problem for coach Joachim Loew.
The 20-year-old winger has wreaked havoc in his first major tournament, scoring his fourth goal in Germany's 4-0 demolition of Argentina in Cape Town on Saturday to advance to the last four but coach Joachim Loew knows no one in his young squad is irreplaceable.
"Obviously this will be a blow for us given the goal threat that Thomas has been here," said the 50-year-old coach, after his player was booked for a handball and must now sit out the match against the European champion.
"But we have players who can replace Thomas and we will manage that," he said.
Mueller, who only won his first international cap in March in a friendly against Argentina and was one of Loew's last call-ups for Germany's youngest World Cup squad since 1934, has been crucial to its fast-paced style of attacking football.
A somewhat harsh referee decision means, however, he will miss the biggest match of his young career.
But Loew's words, only a few days before the sensational quarterfinal victory against the much-fancied Argentines, now seem to have been prophetic.
"I do not try to find a tactic to fit the players that I have," he had said earlier this week. "I want players who can apply my tactics and vision of football, what I want to see on the pitch and this is how I select them."
Attacking machine
It is this concept that has created a well-oiled attacking machine that marches on despite any injuries or suspensions. There seems to be a seamless transition when players replace each other.
The injury to then captain Michael Ballack that ruled him out of the World Cup was absorbed almost immediately.
Striker Miroslav Klose was suspended for its final group game against Ghana but his absence was not felt as Cacau slipped into his role with Germany winning 1-0.
Left back Jerome Boateng has replaced Holger Badstuber after the first two matches with the backline now looking stronger than ever.
The same will no doubt happen against Spain with Stefan Kiessling being drawn out to the wing or even Mario Gomez slipping into Mueller's role.
The 20-year-old winger has wreaked havoc in his first major tournament, scoring his fourth goal in Germany's 4-0 demolition of Argentina in Cape Town on Saturday to advance to the last four but coach Joachim Loew knows no one in his young squad is irreplaceable.
"Obviously this will be a blow for us given the goal threat that Thomas has been here," said the 50-year-old coach, after his player was booked for a handball and must now sit out the match against the European champion.
"But we have players who can replace Thomas and we will manage that," he said.
Mueller, who only won his first international cap in March in a friendly against Argentina and was one of Loew's last call-ups for Germany's youngest World Cup squad since 1934, has been crucial to its fast-paced style of attacking football.
A somewhat harsh referee decision means, however, he will miss the biggest match of his young career.
But Loew's words, only a few days before the sensational quarterfinal victory against the much-fancied Argentines, now seem to have been prophetic.
"I do not try to find a tactic to fit the players that I have," he had said earlier this week. "I want players who can apply my tactics and vision of football, what I want to see on the pitch and this is how I select them."
Attacking machine
It is this concept that has created a well-oiled attacking machine that marches on despite any injuries or suspensions. There seems to be a seamless transition when players replace each other.
The injury to then captain Michael Ballack that ruled him out of the World Cup was absorbed almost immediately.
Striker Miroslav Klose was suspended for its final group game against Ghana but his absence was not felt as Cacau slipped into his role with Germany winning 1-0.
Left back Jerome Boateng has replaced Holger Badstuber after the first two matches with the backline now looking stronger than ever.
The same will no doubt happen against Spain with Stefan Kiessling being drawn out to the wing or even Mario Gomez slipping into Mueller's role.
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