Germany did not clear up doubts about their defensive structure despite keeping a clean sheet. Pepe, as many already know, is insane, and Ronaldo, as many already know, disappears and sulks, sometimes simultaneously. Muller's first game was the best of many impressive offensive performances in this goal-happy World Cup so far.
THE PROBLEM THAT IS PLAYING NO LEGIT WING BACKS
Fielding no one comfortable playing defense out wide is a potentially grave problem for a team many are picking to reach the semifinals at the least. While Portugal miraculously failed to convert any of their chances, they did manage to expose how stretched the German defense could become after it's two makeshift wing defenders were caught up-field, usually bumbling their attempts to provide width in attack.
With Lahm as the lone pivot in a somewhat unconventional 4-1-5-0, Germany didn't seem to have a clear idea of who was to provide cover when the wing defenders went.
In the 4-2-3-1 that Germany usually plays, the two standard holders Khedira and Schweinsteiger would simply shift over and rectify the absence. With Khedira a little uncertain after just returning from being out for five months with a knee injury, and Kroos with the tendency to push up into more of a #8 role (and Lahm just behind), the three didn't seem all that comfortable with the asymmetrical nature of their midfield triangle, especially with the two wingers and even the false-nine Ozil rotating into space with them at times.
Since Guardiola began using Lahm as a holder instead of as a wing back, coach Joachim Low appears to want to follow suit, but Lahm's effectiveness there is not entirely convincing, or at least his transition does not yet seem complete. It begs the question: Wouldn't having one solid wing back be better then none?
While Germany could revert to a system that utilized three of their four experienced center backs, that wouldn't exactly solve the problem of width on offense, but would allow Lahm to get further up the field. Muller would be an option across from Lahm if he wasn't scoring goals like a fiend, and Shurrle is an untested option there, as he usually plays further up the pitch. He is accustomed to being asked to defend, however, as Mourinho demands it of his wingers at Chelsea.
Perhaps the line of four center backs can find a degree of success, but this will involve reverting to their pre-Klinsmann, conservative style. Because neither Howedes or Boateng offer much up field on the flanks, they might as well stay put.
PEPE AND RONALDO PROVIDE PROBLEMATIC LEADERSHIP
Pepe the monster returned at an awful time for his fatherland.
Down two goals but creating a steady stream of chances, Pepe dashed Portugal's hopes with yet another confounding display of his psychotic temperament.
A few minutes before his meltdown and send-off, his partner in the center of the defense, Bruno Alves, was seen screaming at him, when, instead of coming out to cover a German attacker in the box, Pepe retreated nearly to the goal-line as a sort of arm-less, second goalie. (Despite their decent defensive record at Real Madrid, this is something both he and Ramos do often when they're line is shredded, and it's seemed suspect for years.)
This is mere speculation, but perhaps it was his teammate who was under his skin and not necessarily Muller, the recipient of Pepe's ire. There isn't anyone who seems to discipline Pepe at Madrid--he being the one on Madrid that often does the screaming. Perhaps, unsettled by Bruno Alves, he was vulnerable to the psychological histrionics that have so streaked his career.
Ronaldo played slightly better than he did in the Champion's League final, although only individually speaking. He demonstrated little to no chemistry with anyone around him as a player or as a human being. Quick to pout when the ball did not arrive, Ronaldo wasn't particularly apt at moving into spaces where his teammates could get him the ball. He created just one chance, and he only twice took on a defender, both times losing the ball. And, strangely, when his club and country teammate Coentrao pulled a hamstring that has ended his World Cup, Ronaldo grabbed a water bottle and begin primping his hair without so much as glancing down at Coentrao. Interestingly enough, Coentrao had screamed at him minutes earlier.
Pepe and Ronaldo still think they're leaders, but there are clear signs that both are unfit psychologically, and deluding themselves.
MULLER POACHES LIKE A PRO
No one has ever won the Golden Ball (best player), the Golden Boot (most goals) or the Golden Glove (best keeper) more then once, which is why Muller's start to this World Cup after winning the Golden Boot in 2010 has such historic promise.
While his two goals from play looked merely scrappy at first glance, replay showed Muller's spectacular pedigree as a poacher.
Not long after aptly converting an early penalty, he snuck up from behind Bruno Alves and somehow was able to absorb Alves' clearance with his instep before quickly firing it in. Both the timing and body control necessary to convert this second goal were transcendent.
His third goal replay showed a keen angle taken on a goalie who he seemed confident would struggle with his teammate's low shot. Sure enough, the goalie fumbled it and Muller was perfectly spaced and angled to pounce. While less spectacular, it further demonstrated his guile, body control and ability to stalk dangerously within the box.
An unconventional player, Muller sometimes frustrates teammates by not doing the intuitive thing. His passing record even in this game--one he completely dominated--was poor (24 out of 34 passes completed), but his boundless energy, his sense of ambition on the pitch, his unconventional runs into space, and his tactical acuity mark him as a truly special player.
With all but four of the thirty-two teams having already played their first game, he's been the best performer, and he covered up what was not quite the dominant performance for Germany that the scoreline indicated.
THE PROBLEM THAT IS PLAYING NO LEGIT WING BACKS
Fielding no one comfortable playing defense out wide is a potentially grave problem for a team many are picking to reach the semifinals at the least. While Portugal miraculously failed to convert any of their chances, they did manage to expose how stretched the German defense could become after it's two makeshift wing defenders were caught up-field, usually bumbling their attempts to provide width in attack.
With Lahm as the lone pivot in a somewhat unconventional 4-1-5-0, Germany didn't seem to have a clear idea of who was to provide cover when the wing defenders went.
In the 4-2-3-1 that Germany usually plays, the two standard holders Khedira and Schweinsteiger would simply shift over and rectify the absence. With Khedira a little uncertain after just returning from being out for five months with a knee injury, and Kroos with the tendency to push up into more of a #8 role (and Lahm just behind), the three didn't seem all that comfortable with the asymmetrical nature of their midfield triangle, especially with the two wingers and even the false-nine Ozil rotating into space with them at times.
Since Guardiola began using Lahm as a holder instead of as a wing back, coach Joachim Low appears to want to follow suit, but Lahm's effectiveness there is not entirely convincing, or at least his transition does not yet seem complete. It begs the question: Wouldn't having one solid wing back be better then none?
While Germany could revert to a system that utilized three of their four experienced center backs, that wouldn't exactly solve the problem of width on offense, but would allow Lahm to get further up the field. Muller would be an option across from Lahm if he wasn't scoring goals like a fiend, and Shurrle is an untested option there, as he usually plays further up the pitch. He is accustomed to being asked to defend, however, as Mourinho demands it of his wingers at Chelsea.
Perhaps the line of four center backs can find a degree of success, but this will involve reverting to their pre-Klinsmann, conservative style. Because neither Howedes or Boateng offer much up field on the flanks, they might as well stay put.
PEPE AND RONALDO PROVIDE PROBLEMATIC LEADERSHIP
Pepe the monster returned at an awful time for his fatherland.
Down two goals but creating a steady stream of chances, Pepe dashed Portugal's hopes with yet another confounding display of his psychotic temperament.
A few minutes before his meltdown and send-off, his partner in the center of the defense, Bruno Alves, was seen screaming at him, when, instead of coming out to cover a German attacker in the box, Pepe retreated nearly to the goal-line as a sort of arm-less, second goalie. (Despite their decent defensive record at Real Madrid, this is something both he and Ramos do often when they're line is shredded, and it's seemed suspect for years.)
This is mere speculation, but perhaps it was his teammate who was under his skin and not necessarily Muller, the recipient of Pepe's ire. There isn't anyone who seems to discipline Pepe at Madrid--he being the one on Madrid that often does the screaming. Perhaps, unsettled by Bruno Alves, he was vulnerable to the psychological histrionics that have so streaked his career.
Ronaldo played slightly better than he did in the Champion's League final, although only individually speaking. He demonstrated little to no chemistry with anyone around him as a player or as a human being. Quick to pout when the ball did not arrive, Ronaldo wasn't particularly apt at moving into spaces where his teammates could get him the ball. He created just one chance, and he only twice took on a defender, both times losing the ball. And, strangely, when his club and country teammate Coentrao pulled a hamstring that has ended his World Cup, Ronaldo grabbed a water bottle and begin primping his hair without so much as glancing down at Coentrao. Interestingly enough, Coentrao had screamed at him minutes earlier.
Pepe and Ronaldo still think they're leaders, but there are clear signs that both are unfit psychologically, and deluding themselves.
MULLER POACHES LIKE A PRO
No one has ever won the Golden Ball (best player), the Golden Boot (most goals) or the Golden Glove (best keeper) more then once, which is why Muller's start to this World Cup after winning the Golden Boot in 2010 has such historic promise.
While his two goals from play looked merely scrappy at first glance, replay showed Muller's spectacular pedigree as a poacher.
Not long after aptly converting an early penalty, he snuck up from behind Bruno Alves and somehow was able to absorb Alves' clearance with his instep before quickly firing it in. Both the timing and body control necessary to convert this second goal were transcendent.
His third goal replay showed a keen angle taken on a goalie who he seemed confident would struggle with his teammate's low shot. Sure enough, the goalie fumbled it and Muller was perfectly spaced and angled to pounce. While less spectacular, it further demonstrated his guile, body control and ability to stalk dangerously within the box.
An unconventional player, Muller sometimes frustrates teammates by not doing the intuitive thing. His passing record even in this game--one he completely dominated--was poor (24 out of 34 passes completed), but his boundless energy, his sense of ambition on the pitch, his unconventional runs into space, and his tactical acuity mark him as a truly special player.
With all but four of the thirty-two teams having already played their first game, he's been the best performer, and he covered up what was not quite the dominant performance for Germany that the scoreline indicated.