FIFA World Cup 2014: France and Germany

France

Didier Deschamps’s France was not expected to have many problems against Nigeria. However, the team had problems when trying to cope with the enthusiastic Africans. The team used its 4-3-3 formation, introducing Koscielny instead of Sakho as a centre-back. Not making mistakes was
the priority number 1 for the French in the first half. The second half strategy was different though, and the team decided to go forward and get the winner in the last 20 minutes. After missing several good chances, where Enyeama was confidently making saves after saves, Valbuena crossed from a corner and Pogba sent the ball into the Nigerian net. These two were the best players for France, doing their best during the whole match. They scored the second in the last minute of the match, as Nigerians were up in front to get the equalizer. The match showed that there are other players in the French squad who can perform and get the winner, if Matuidi and Benzema are having a quiet day.

Germany is the strongest team for France to meet in this World Cup. France has been able to score 10 goals and conceded only 2, but it is going to be another story with the Germans. Extreme concentration in the back is required to avoid a crucial German attack. Deschamps is not going to risk and will surely trust the same tactics as in the encounter against Nigeria. The worst that might happen for the team is conceding a goal in the first half. France has never conceded first in this tournament and the team will have to show its best to come back in such a match. But if Lloris approaches the last part of the match with a clean sheet, the confidence will increase within the team and a quick counterattack might seal the victory.

Matches played: 4

Goals scored - conceded: 10 - 2

Topscorer (s): Benzema (3)

Team marks: 6,5 + 7 + 4,5 + 5,0= 23,0
Average mark: 5,75
Best players: Benzema (4,0)

Final place among 32: 3

Chances to win the World Cup: 7,01%         

Germany

Joachim Loew’s team is under a huge portion of criticism. The way they played against Algeria has not been acceptable in Germany. Now it is time to show the attractive football Germany has been famous for in the last 5-6 years. In fact, two problems were obvious: the lack of wingbacks and strikers. Apparently Loew is not going to use his lone striker Klose in the starting line-up. Then he has to find a solution, which will make the team score as many goals as they did in the quarterfinal of last World Cup. The only reason why Germany is in this stage is the great physical form of theirs. Algerians were done after 90 minutes.

France is not going to be easier to beat. Making the right conclusions after the Round of 16 is the crucial part of the preparation to this quarterfinal. Germany will be looking for the winner since the beginning of the match, but will not risk. The way Neuer was left alone in the previous match is not going to happen anymore. Mueller and Co. will become more and more nervous as the time passes, but the German willpower has never been under doubt.  

Matches played: 4

Goals scored - conceded: 9 - 3

Topscorer (s): Mueller (4)

Team marks: 7 + 5,5 + 4,5 + 6,0 = 23,0
Average mark: 5,75
Best players: Mueller (3,5)

Final place among 32: 7

Chances to win the World Cup: 14,41%