Strengthened by their good game against Spain, the ‘Mannschaft’ must beat Costa Rica on Thursday and hope that La Roja will help Japan to reach the eighth finals
After a disappointment in its World Cup debut against Japan, not so much for the game as for the defeat, Germany offered their best profile against Spain, salvaging a draw that will help them as they seek the round of 16 against Costa Rica next Thursday. The margin of error is nil: the ‘Mannschaft’ has to win and hopes that La Roja will lend a hand in their duel against the Japanese to get into the qualifications. A win for the Asians would leave the German team without options, who rely on the reaction of Luis Enrique’s players as well as their own.
Strengthened by their performance against the Spaniards, with which they showed they have a lot of football, the Germans see no other scenario than a pass in Qatar. Even Thomas Müller went so far as to say that “8-0 could be possible, but it’s not a very realistic result in a World Cup.” This is how he visualizes the game against the ‘ticos’, which would even be worth a draw if Spain complies with the dossier against the Japanese.
Criticism rained on Germany after the loss to the Japanese on the opening day. The 1-2 was somewhat misleading and even unjustified, because Flick’s men managed to rage in a first half in which they forgave everything. They completed 25 shots, made 820 passes to their rival’s 261, had 78% possession and fell with a bang.
The country’s media attacked the team and the coach hard and predicted a fatal outcome against La Roja: “The situation threatens to become ridiculous in history,” published ‘Die Welt’. But the Germans upped their game and played a good game against Spain, a breath of fresh air that kept them alive in the World Cup. Now they want to give it continuity against a Costa Rica that, after being overwhelmed by Luis Enrique’s troops, dreams of reaching the qualifications.
One shot, one goal
In theory, Germany should snack on the ‘ticos’. The Central Americans were crushed by Spain 7-0, but they knew how to beat Japan (1-0). Those coached by Luis Fernando Suárez have shot just four times this World Cup – the Germans have a total of 35 shots in two games – and one shot between the three sticks. It’s what Fuller did to knock the Japanese down and give the three points to his team.
Flick’s men are clear favourites, superior in every line and facet of the game, and they will battle the Japanese with all five senses. There, in the Khalifa International Stadium, part of their ranking and that of the Costa Ricans will also be decided.
“We will have to be aware of what is happening in the other game and the strategy can be adjusted based on that,” Müller said in the preview of the clash. We will have to simplify things against Costa Rica. You have to make good position changes, sending balls into the hole that may not always reach their destination, but can knock your opponent out of position. Maybe the ball doesn’t come to you ten times, but you have to keep running,” added the Russia-proclaimed Bayern Munich forward.
“I hope to give another surprise,” said Suárez, the coach of the ‘ticos’. “We can take out Germany. Imagine what that would mean.” The Colombian is looking for a miracle, the Germans impose logic.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
