Germany to rebound against Sweden
Marco Iacobucci EPP / Shutterstock.com
Germany go into their second World Cup match having suffered a shock defeat to Mexico. The Germans huffed and puffed but couldn't break down the Mexican defence. Joachim Low's team registered 26 shots with nine on target.
Supporters will be hoping the team worked on shooting in training the days following the defeat.
The result could have been worse for Germany. The team allowed Mexico to get beyond the defence and the North American side tallied four shots on target. Mexico hit Germany on the counter attack keeping 33 percent of the possession. Sweden should play similarly against the Germans.
Sweden edged South Korea in their opening match. The fixture could have gone either way, but the more physical Swedes prevailed in the end. Sweden's defence was impressive as it prevented South Korea from recording a shot on target. Manager Janne Andersson will be happy with the team's performance, but Saturday's match against Germany will be the team's true litmus test.
Low's team held World Cup crisis talks following its first match loss. Germany weren't in great form entering the tournament and their game one performance once again proved the players look tired and out of form. Perhaps the most out of form player is goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The Bayern Munich shot stopper missed nearly all of the club season with injury. He returned for Germany's World Cup warm-up friendlies. Yet, he has looked slow when attempting to make saves. Hirving Lozano's goal for Mexico showed Neuer is off the pace. He was too slow to get down to save a shot he would normally stop. Low should rethink his goalkeeper, but Neuer looks set to remain between the pipes.
The last two World Cup tournaments have seen the reigning champions eliminated at the group stage. In 2010, Italy went home after three matches. Four years ago, in Brazil, Spain was knocked out after just three matches. Germany could be next.
If Sweden hope to defeat the Germans, they will need to follow the blueprint of Mexico. The Swedes should sit back, absorb pressure and break quickly on the counter attack. Sweden will play a 4-4-2 with two banks of four to slow the Germans. Andersson's team wasn't great in front of goal against South Korea as the team's only score came from an Andreas Granqvist penalty. Strikers Marcus Berg and Ola Toivonen need to be more clinical on Saturday.
Germany have won just once in their last seven games (friendlies and competitive matches combined). The team is struggling, but Low should find a way to get a result against Sweden. Although Sweden will be difficult to break down, Germany should find the goals that eluded them in match one.
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