Germany – Sweden 2:1 (0:1)
20 – Minute – Dominance
Germany showed a convincing performance from the start. They forced the low-standing Swedes even further back by short passing distances so that any pressing attempt by Sweden had no chance. Toni Kroos often dropped in on Rüdiger’s side to build up a back three, while Hector and Kimmich pushed forward.
Rudy provided the necessary balance and acts in comparison to Kroos higher to stop counter-efforts of the Swedes immediately. The disadvantage of Kroos’s position was his lack of involvement in the next level, so that his qualities of finishing or playing the last pass didn’t flourish.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GERMAN TACTICS (Steven Turek)
Clever attack scheme. The ball goes on the wing, Werner indicates a deep running path and pulls Sweden’s chain backwards, the space in front of it can be used.
Moment of shock. Sweden recognizes a good distance to press. Berg tempts Rüdiger with a short run to go into dribbling. Berg observes the following duel and switches immediately. The following scenes have to be judged by referee analysts …
And Sweden?
Visibly impressed by the German commitment, Sweden tried a mixture of low-standing and high-pressure. Most of the Swedes relied on the former. They left two strikers in front of the ball to switch to counter. After an attacking effort they sometime didn’t ran back but tried to press without great success.
Losing your Flow …
What looked like a normal short 10 vs. 11 phase because of an injury, developed into a tangible crisis for the German game. Even at the same number they kept the deep position for a short time and completely lost momentum. Wild scenes and a conceding goal was the result.
“THE FLOW OF A TEAM IS ALWAYS LOST WHEN IT COMES TO LONGER INTERRUPTIONS OR CHANGES IN THE GAME … EXACTLY that HAPPENED unintended WITH THE INJURY OF RUDY”
The 1:0 by Toivonen. Actually inexplicable as Kroos loses the ball. After that, the situation is difficult to save. Toivonen completes a perfect cross really well.
Another example of the loss of control after Sweden’s goal. Reus moves well between the chains and receives the ball. Reus losses the ball without pressure. Despite the uncertain loss of the ball Kimmich pushes forward. The rest-field is not secured and the 2:0 is in reach.
eBooks – GERMAN TACTICS (Steven Turek)
Tactical Changes work
Löw changed at halftime, grabbed Werner on one side and Reus on the other wing, Gomez went to the center. Above all, Werner proved to be a stroke of luck. Actually, compared to the first 20 minutes of the game, nothing changed except that Hector secured Werner in the half-space instead of breaking through of his own on the wing. This gave Werner more 1:1 situations and the freedom to use them. Kroos also pushed more energetically and came in much more promising positions.
The 1:1. Kroos (we want to see him there) puts pressure on the swedisch defense and gets Werner running. In the middle, a central defender of Sweden can be pulled out by Müller into a completely harmless space. Reus uses the 2:2 in the center to score.
Kroos calls Game
Finally, it was also the combination of Werner and Kroos, which led to success. The fact that Kroos takes the ball in the situation and wants to shoot directly, makes him a special player that wants and does perform under pressure no matter what happened before. True greatness.
