What is the point of using a formation that has no natural striker?
I'll wait...
I know, you can't think of a plausible reason. This may have brought Spain success in 2012, but what works for one team doesn't work for the rest. Granted, Spain know how to play that tactic because their midfielders are very unique and unlike any others. That's not to say they are the best midfielders in the world, just that their characteristics are suited to playing the midfield-focused strategy.
Germany have an amazing midfield. We all know what Kroos, Draxler and even Gotze can do. But Draxler as well has shown he has the skills to not be embarassed on the biggest stage. But despite how good they are, they aren't the Spanish midfield. They don't have the ability to be evasive, making those unique runs, and execute those evasive passes that the false nine is built upon.
The Germans have to play with a striker. It benefits the other players and makes their attack look better. Having that focus in the box who is ready to either hold the ball off, link the play or get on the end of a cross makes Germany not only a dangerous team but one that can actually win this competition.Watching them against Ukraine and Poland, the false nine didn't work. So far, in their two games they have
scored one goal and that has come froma defender. Surely, Joachim has to realise he can't keep trying to fit that square peg into a round hole. If it doesn't work, simply revert back to a system that makes sense and will benefit his team.
Whenever I saw Hector launch a cross into the box, I was cackling. There was no point in playing that ball from so deep because no Germany player has the height to make that cross effective. Muller has scored a lof headed goals but never from crosses that have come from so deep. You need some power and height to do that, which is what Mario Gomez provides.
The smaller Mario G has been totally ineffective with it and has hardly had a clear chance in the two games he's played. I feel bad for him because he can be important for Germany's quest, it's just that his dear coach is playing him in the wrong system. As people would know, he's a right wide player who can cut inside and deliver crosses.
He is not a false nine.
The question now is whether Joachim will see sense and play Gomez from now on, or will he continue to be stubborn. My feeling is he'll stick by his guns until it looks like they're about to get beat then he'll revert back to what makes sense, just like he did at the World Cup. It's unfortunate, because he doesn't even need to put himself and his players through this to begin with. HH
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