Match Day Special/World Cup Semi-Final Germany v Spain

Every World Cup is lightly sprinkled with delicious clashes between major powers and the additional hope that the final will be the ultimate cherry on top.

This year’s sweets started out with the England/USA tilt, which, although England started out well on Gerrard’s goal from Heskey, was unfortunately highlighted by Robert Green’s gaffe.  Effectively, the West Ham keeper put his finger in the frosting and ruined a perfectly good cake.  Portugal and Brazil then decided that their juicy looking encounter would be a stale, dry formality which would put both through to the elimination rounds.

An entry to the Final for one nation and the exit from the tournament for the other.

The dessert cart did come around after the group stages, when teams found themselves in do or die situations and had to go for it.  The aforementioned English turned out to be the first course in a German feast that continued against Argentina.  With four goals in each match, die Mannschaft set the World Cup kitchen afire.

The Dutch gave themselves a special treat, as well, upsetting the Brazilians before downing the sour-as-lemons Uruguayans.  Having reserved their seat at the final table, Bert van Marwijk’s side are prepared to sit back and enjoy a Heineken while Spain and Germany fight over the last chair.

Fans, whether partial to one nation or simply neutral, had sized up today’s  rematch of the Euro ’08 finalists as an epic battle between the best team in the tournament, the young Germans, and, perhaps the best side in the world, the Spaniards.  The latter had played their way through the competition thus far, more in the fashion of a classic Italian side, doing just enough to get the job done.  Meanwhile, this kinder, gentler version of a German football side, as evidenced by the ethnic diversity of the squad and the tragically hip fashion sense of the manager, were rampaging through South Africa like a Panzer division set loose on a daycare nursery.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaeEopDW0V4

For most, this was the match that would produce the champion, as the waiting Nederlanders are not rated as highly as these two sides.  If that was to be the case, then maybe the cherry would be eaten a little early this year.  The question was, by whom?

It’s long been acknowledged and now reconfirmed, in South Africa, that one of the greatest strengths of German football is their match preparation.  Despite their hiccup against Serbia, largely aided by an overly protective Spanish referee, they have come into each match with a clear, executable plan to dispatch their opponent.  The pre-match scuttlebutt today was that Joachim Low would look to take advantage of the forays of rearguardsmen Gerard Pique, who at least has the sense to race back quickly when an attack fails, and Sergio Ramos, who doesn’t.

Much has been said about Low but del Bosque is subtle and likes to operate quietly, in the background

Low’s opposite number, Vicente del Bosque, while not at home in the spotlight, is possessed of a little tactical guile himself.  The proof is in his sudden change in policy with regard to Fernando Torres.  With the Liverpool striker still recovering from a knee operation, he only used him as a substitute in the opening defeat to Switzerland.  Since then, however, he has started Torres, insisting that, regardless of his struggles, he was of great value to the side and his place was assured.

Until the Germans loomed on the horizon, that is.  Suddenly, del Bosque became more cagey on the matter, stating publicly that he would have to consider all his options, of which he has many.  That, of course is the beauty in his abrupt shift of policy.

The Basque, Fernando Llorente could replace Torres, giving the Spaniards some unusual height in the box, where they are sorely overmatched by the German defenders.  The Barca youngster, Pedro might come in and strike with the speed and venom of a cobra.  Or the manager could elect to play with five midfielders and David Villa as the lone striker.

Should del Bosque go that route, there would be further choices to consider.  Cesc Fabregas, despite an injured shoulder would be available to sit in the hole behind Villa, leaving Spain’s regular corps of midfielders, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta intact.  Conversely, Iniesta might be utilised in the hole and either David Silva or Jesus Navas, both well rested, could wreak havoc on the wing.

Don’t forget, the Spanish boss had one further option.  He could still start Torres.  A simple statement in the media had thrown a wrench in the German brain trust’s plans and left them with a myriad of possibilities to consider.  Del Bosque’s sly gambit showed the value of a good manager deep in a major tournament such as this.  Of course, when the match finally got under way, it became up to the players to execute their gameplans and successfully adapt to the tactics of their opponents.

To begin, del Bosque opted for the Pedro plan, sitting down the ineffective Torres and looking to expose the lumbering giants, Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker, in the German central defence and Jerome Boateng at left back.   In place of the unfairly suspended Thomas Mueller, Low, meanwhile, penciled in Piotr Trochowski, smaller, quicker but also potentially lethal from distance.

Terms of battle were set very early as Germany were content to work the ball around at the back and an aggressive Sergio Ramos won it away for Spain, who immediately settled into their game of kick about.  Six minutes in, Pedro made his first contribution, slotting a ball into David Villa, who shot the ball into the chest of an onrushing Manuel Neuer.

Carlos Puyol's defence was as super powered as his offence would later prove to be.

Spain earned their first corner and displayed their future intent in that area, working it short to change the angle of entry.   Iniesta put in a low, hard driven ball, which Puyol headed over the bar.  First cut to Spain.

Germany redoubled their defensive efforts and became more effective at keeping the Spaniards to the outside.  La Furia began to look to Xabi Alonso for long balls into the box and Ramos and Joan Capdevilla crossing in on the flanks.  Mertesacker was solid in the centre of the box, heading clear attempt after attempt.

Midway through the half, Germany began to send out sorties on the  counterattack, looking to capitalise on the forward position of the Spanish fullbacks.  Lukas Podolski and Trochowski both streaked down the outside looking to work balls inside but Mesut Ozil,  in the middle, was struggling with his touch and Iker Casillas wasn’t really tested.  Piquet was not venturing forward, as is his usual wont and Busquets and Alonso were hastening back in support with every German push.  Perhaps it was del Bosque, who had done his homework and come to the match more prepared.

Just past the half hour, Trochowski displayed his long range arsenal, drilling a low shot towards the near post, which Casillas scrambled to knock wide for a corner.

Schweinsteiger and Germany couldn't find their feet against Spain.

In the final 5 minutes, Ozil had a pair of chances, mishandling both and feeling the second, well into extra time, should have drawn a penalty.  While he was knocked down, he had already overrun the ball and wasted the chance, something the referee was well positioned to see.

At half time, with neither side breaking through, the expected fireworks were absent but the match was definitely on a slow boil.  Spain took most of their corners short, respecting the height and discipline of the German defenders.  Pique continued to spend the half very conservatively, rarely venturing forward and always in position to deal with the potent counterattack of the white and black.

Early in the second stanza, a rejuvenated Pedro began to go to work on Jerome Boateng, crossing and dribbling in towards the box.  Nothing came of his work as the cross was too long and Xabi Alonso shot wide on the pass at the end of the younger man’s run.  Joachim Low had seen enough, though, and Marcell Jansen was hurried onto the pitch for the overmatched left back.

David Villa can't connect with Iniesta's beautiful delivery

Alonso continued to try long shots and passes inside until, with a change of pace, he worked it to Iniesta darting in from the left, the latter sending a quick ball across the goal mouth that Villa couldn’t quite poke, lunging in too late.

It’s never advisable to waste chances against Germany and Jansen almost made the Spanish pay.  His cross ricocheted off Ramos, to Podolski, who thundered it over the bar.  Tony Kroos came on for Trochowski, as Low looked for more offensive pressure against the Spaniards.  Kroos trying to oblige, nearly put the Germans ahead with a hard shot from the right that Casillas was equal to.  Soon after, he sent a tantalising cross into the box, from the other side, but Piquet’s head found it first.

The two substitutions to this point were telling about the direction of the match.  Obviously, Low was uncomfortable with his side’s lack of ability to get behind the Spanish.  Del Bosque, on the other hand, was patient with his strategy, feeling a goal would surely come as long as his central players held their ground and defended well, off the ball.   That is something that goes unnoticed about Spain, since they are rarely without possession or feel the need to respect the other sides attackers.  When it is necessary, though, they are up to the task, as they have shown today.

Puyol's header is...

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, as they say, and, as with Germany,  it isn’t wise to forego opportunities when playing against Spain, either.  After the European champions had earned a corner, Xavi sent in a perfect delivery which Puyol, this time, put paid to, giving Spain the lead on seventy minutes.

It was a rare corner into the box and the Germans were asleep at the switch.  The curly haired Barcelona captain had a free run at the ball from ten yards away and punished, severely, the one German mistake of the match.

Germany, down and forced to press, began to harry the Spanish box.  Two times however, Ozil cut short the passing and lost the ball trying to beat multiple defenders.

... goalbound and...

With ten minutes remaining, Low used his last substitution to send on Mario Gomez for Sami Khedira and del Bosque immediately countered with his first change, bringing on Torres for Villa.

Then, twice in succession, the Germans fell victim to quick counters but Friedrich did yeoman work to keep his side alive.  The second effort was greatly assisted by Pedro’s reluctance to pass across to a wide open Villa.  The Barca youngster soon rued that selfish choice, as he was sat down in favour of the new Man City man, Silva.  The quiet old fox, del Bosque, had his lead and wasn’t going to let the inexperience of youth throw it away.

With no options but to attack, Germany sustained the pressure for several minutes with no joy.  It almost made you wonder what would have happened, had they opened up sooner?  With less than five minutes remaining, the Spaniards relocated their short passing game and the Germans struggled to win back the ball, which effectively answered that question.

In extra time, Germany’s desperation betrayed them as Gomez had a chance to send in Ozil freely but thundered what should have been a lightly touched pass.  With so little time and so much at stake, patience and calm were easily forgotten.

... the Spaniards are bound for the Final.

Spain ably kept Germany away for the final moments and showed tremendous class by not celebrating wildly upon reaching their first World Cup Final.  Instead, every Spaniard found a German counterpart and, in a great show of respect, offered a sympathetic hand.

So, la Roja are through to meet the Dutch, meaning that there will, at last, be an eighth World Cup champion.

This match didn’t turn out to be the icing on the cake many had thought it would be but it was still entertaining and, happily, controversy free.   With creativity abounding on both sides in Sunday’s final, we’ll have to hope against hope that both sides choose to play an open game and decide a champion through skill and showmanship.