Three group games and it looked like Germany were feeling the sophomore slump of their great debut album that gave them the world cup. No real thrust to their attack with no cutting edge in peeling away chances. So there was a need for them to really perform and show they can win this Euro.
Against Slovakia, we finally got the good Germany, the world beating Germany. The chemistry, passing, cutting up defences and that ruthlessness that saw them slice and dice Brazil. As good as the team were and even the very undivided Ozil had a great game, it was the youthful one who got the head over little Mario G that shone the brightest.
Enter Julian Draxler or just Drax. A truly top performance by the kid where he showed his dribbling skills to great effect, Weaving in and out, beating players and adding that extra bite that had been missing from Germany's play. He was the one player on the pitch who stood apart as an individual and I'm afraid he has now taken the place of Goetze who hasn't gotten going yet at these Euros. Football is a meritocracy and not about reputation. Draxler is simply playing his way into the starting lineup and has to now keep his place until he fails to perform.
Germany needed this. If this had been another labored victory, that would have been the worst preparation for their titanic clash against either Italy or Spain. They had to win and win big and play to their potential. Doing that, mentally this puts them in a far stronger state of mind going into that quarter-final, knowing that they can play this way in this competition. If they can bring over that kind of offensive play, then they can easily beat any team at these Euros.
If.
I still won't say it. Nope. I have no idea who is going to win these Euros and I'm not changing my tune by saying Germany are the new favorites. All I will say though, is Germany now know they can click into that winning mode they had in the World Cup. There are few areas that need smoothening, but it's looking much better than their games against Poland and Ukraine. HH
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