1986, 1990 and now after a huge gap of twenty-four years Argentina and Germany are facing each other in the World Cup Final. ’86 was Argentina’s World Cup; ’90 was when the Germans took revenge on the Argentinians.
When the two sides met in the last World Cup it was in the quarterfinal stage – Germany drubbed Argentina to 4-0. Four years ago, it was a young German side vs an unbalanced Argentinian one. Now things have changed.
Argentina are known for their attacking prowess. They have one of the best attacking sides of the tournament: Gonzalo Higuain; Ezequiel Lavezzi; Sergio Aguero; Angel di Maria and Lionel Messi are all top quality players. However, the defence was their major concern and everybody expected that Argentina would concede many goals. But what Alejandro Sabella has done to the team is amazing. Instead of focusing more on attacking, he concentrated on defending and a deep defensive line coupled with deep lying midfielders has so far been very crucial in Argentina’s progress into the finals. Supporting this fact is Argentina’s goal record in this tournament. They have scored eight times and conceded only thrice. They have edged past all their opponents by one goal margins and are yet to concede any goals in the knock-out rounds.
Messi drifted wide in Argentina’s last match against Netherlands and created problems for Daley Blind and Bruno Martins Indi on the left. Can he do the same against the Germans? Only if Bastian Schweinsteiger is generous enough to let the best player in the world to do whatever he wants.
We can expect a conservative approach from Argentina. A strategy that stresses on defending and not conceding any goals. Argentina will look to counter attack Germany and will also try to make the best use of Germany’s high defensive line by laying off long balls into the paths of their fast running forwards.
Argentina probable eleven – Sergio Romero, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, Javier Macherano, Lucas Biglia, Enzo Perez, Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gonzalo Higuain.
Formation – 4-2-3-1. While defending 4-4-2 with Lavezzi and Perez dropping into the midfield.
Germany are not the same side they were in the last World Cup: the members of the team are the same, but they are more experienced now. Moreover, tactically they are a completely different team. They used to sit deep and counter – just as Argentina are doing now. But now they are pressing higher and push the opposition back. High defensive line – which is dangerous and can backfire at times – has been successfully deployed by Jogi Loew, thanks to the exceptional sweeper ‘keeper ability of Manuel Neuer.
Evidence for high pressing can be found in the Germany vs Brazil match. The two central midfielders, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos were all over Fernandino and Luis Gustavo. Brazil were taken by shock by the Germans’ play. Loew will try to keep his midfield trio intact in an attempt to nullify the Argentinian midfield. It will be Messi vs Schweinsteiger, Kroos vs Mascherano and Biglia vs Khedira and this battle will define the match.
With Philip Lahm playing in his usual role at right back, Germany will have an advantage. Messi will most probably be attacking on the right and along with him Higuain and Zabaleta will be present on the right. This leaves Lahm and Thomas Muller free to act on the left and put pressure on Rojo and keep him pinned back to his position. This cuts Lavezzi runs into the box as he will be dragged deeper by Lahm.
Germany probable eleven – Manuel Neuer, Philip Lahm, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Howedes, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose and Mesut Ozil.
Formation – 4-3-3 with a midfield triangle facing upside down. Expect every German forward to drop into the midfield region.
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