Chapter 796 Latvia Friendly
Chapter 796: Chapter 796 Latvia Friendly
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[2021-06-07 | MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, Düsseldorf, Germany | 06:45 CET]
Five days after the disastrous outing with Denmark that had gone less than ideal in Austria, the Homegroud had been tense. The outside world had grown sceptical about the talent-filled Germans who looked ready to implode at yet another international outing. For the players’ training had become less smiles and more hard work to make things work as the coaches had implemented a media blackout.
For Rakim and Wirtz, the atmosphere of this first international campaign was akin to their Champions League final bubble. Only it felt more suffocating, as if they were under a sharper microscope and with Löw feeling the pressure, there was no room for mistakes. The coaches drilled formation routines into them, trying to build their chemistry and ensure they understood the game plan for the tournament.
For the Leverkusen contingent who had just finished their club activity, it was a little taxing on multiple levels. For Wirtz, who had a break recovering, it took him a second to get back into swing. Tah had something to prove after being left out of the 2018 World Cup, and he fit right in, showcasing the monstrous improvement that had made him one of the world’s best defenders this season. Rakim was actually the one who struggled the most to settle into the tactics.
He wasn’t the best when it came to defence, as a matter of fact, he did the bare minimum with positional play and the occasional physical duel. However, it was the monotonous attack that threw him for a loop, taking him longer than he had expected to adjust. Now that the full squad was here, it was different from the friendly ones he had participated in.
Waiting for the ball to reach him was like watching paint dry, and when it did, connecting with nearby attackers was inconvenient. Going from making the final delivery or shooting to suddenly having to play passes with teammates in tight spacing wasn’t his style of play. But the coaches only wanted dribbles up the flank from wingers, with few cut-ins, preferring passes inwards rather than holding onto the ball.
Despite not liking the playstyle whenever he was in a team with Müller, Wirtz or Musiala, it surprisingly worked. All three were creative players who either knew his playstyle or were simply creatively gifted. Feeling like he got into the team rhythm by the 7th, he was happy to be included in the squad set to face Latvia.
~~~
[2021-06-07 | Germany Vs Latvia | 06:45 CET]
"Welcome to Merkur Spiel Arena, where Germany faces Latvia in their last pre-tournament friendly," the voice of Tom Bartels boomed through the broadcast as the cameras panned across the modestly filled stadium. COVID restrictions had limited attendance, but the German fans who were there were clearly hopeful for a confidence-boosting display before the Euros kickoff.
"That’s right, Tom," co-commentator Béla Réthy added. "After the rather underwhelming draw with Denmark, Löw will be looking for his men to find their rhythm. He’s made several changes to the starting eleven, giving some of the players who didn’t feature in Austria a chance to stake their claim."
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Germany (3-4-3):
GK: Neuer
DEF: Rüdiger, Hummels, Ginter
MID: (LM) Gosens, Kross, Gündogan, (RM) Kimmich,
ATT: (LW) Gnabry, Müller, (RW) Haverts
Sub: Niklas Süle, Emre Can, Christian Günter, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, Timo Werner, Bernd Leno, Robin Koch, Rakim Rex, Kevin Trapp, Kevin Volland, Florian Neuhaus.
---
"Interesting choice from Löw," Réthy observed. "Notable shift to a more attacking formation. Rakim and Jamal, two of the youngest, sit on the bench hoping to see some playtime."
"He will be hoping that these changes and the preparation would have done the trick to flip the gear in his team," Bartels commented as the camera panned over the players lining up in their formation below. "As for the two young wunderkinds, they will be looking to get on and showcase that they belong on this stage. As for the missing name to the trio, the team won’t be looking to rush him back into action without dotting all the T’s and crossing the I’s."
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Latvia (5-4-1):
GK: Ozols
DEF: (LB) Jagodinskis, Cernomordijs, Oss, (RB) Fjodorovs
DMID: Karklins, Emiss
MID: (LM),Ciganiks, Zjuzins, RM Ikaunieks
ATT: Uldrikis
Sub: Igors Tarasovs, Aleksejs Saveljevs, Raimonds Krollis, Renars Varslavans, Alvis Jaunzems, Vitalijs Maksimenko, Raivis Kirss, Elvis Stuglis, Vladislavs Sorokins, Rihards Matrevics, Krisjanis Zviedris, Kaspars Dubra.
---
"As expected, Dainis Kazakevičs lines up Latvia in a defensive formation," Réthy commented quickly, analysing. "He will be looking for his squad to weather the German pressure and look for their chances on the counter."
"It’s a strategy that has become all too common when facing stronger teams on paper." Bartels continued the analysis. "It may appear as David and Goliath, but we have seen stranger scenes in football with much bigger upsets lately. Let’s see if this Latvia side can produce one such display."
~~~
[2021-06-07 | MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, Düsseldorf | 20:45 CET]
(FWEEET!)
The referee’s whistle cut through the Düsseldorf evening as Latvia kicked off, immediately playing it backwards to their defenders. The travelling minnows had no illusions about their role tonight, and they settled into their defensive shell within seconds of the opening whistle. They knew they had been invited as wet-stones to sharpen the Germans’ skills before the tournament for whatever benefits their country had received.
"And we’re underway here in Düsseldorf," Bartels announced as Germany immediately began circulating possession. "Latvia assumes a defensive shape from the beginning."
"Indeed, Tom," Réthy agreed. "It will be interesting to see how Germany approaches breaking down a low block tonight. Against Denmark, they really struggled with that in the opening hour."
Germany worked the ball patiently across their back three, with Rüdiger and Ginter switching play, Hummels orchestrating from the centre, often moving into midfield. This move gave Kimmich and Kross more freedom to assess Latvia’s shape to find a breakthrough.
"You know, Béla, while we wait for Germany to find their rhythm, the football world is still buzzing about that UEFA Goal of the Tournament announcement last week."
"Ah, yes," Réthy chuckled, "Karim Benzema won for his strike against Chelsea over Rakim Rex’s extra-time winner in the final. I have to say that one raised a few eyebrows in the office."
"More than a few eyebrows, I’d argue. Look, Benzema’s goal was a brilliant display of acrobatic prowess, don’t get me wrong." He paused for a moment as it looked like Gnabry would break in from the side, but after beating the nearby player, he played the ball back to Kross. "But a 30-yard rocket in the 123rd minute of a Champions League final to win the trophy? The context alone should have given Rex the nod."
Down on the pitch, Gosens overlapped on the left, receiving Gündogan’s pass and driving toward the byline. He whipped in a cross that was easily claimed by Oss, who quickly distributed to start a rare Latvian foray forward, though it broke down within three passes.
"It’s been an interesting awards season for the young man, hasn’t it?" Réthy continued as Germany regained possession. "Won the Torjägerkanone by a single goal over Lewandowski, made the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season alongside his Leverkusen teammates Tah and Hradecky."
"And then narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga Players’ Player of the Season just this past week," Bartels added. "Lewandowski pipped him to that one, which I suppose makes some sense given the Pole’s record-breaking goal tally, but again, the treble winner has to feel hard done by."
"The young man has been silent through all of it, hasn’t he? Hasn’t given a single comment."
"He’s been under a media blackout with the national team since arriving at Homeground," Bartels explained. "Löw and the DFB have been keeping a tight lid on press access. We may hear from him once the tournament begins, but for now, we’re left to speculate."
Germany worked the ball back to Neuer, who took his time, surveying the field before launching a long diagonal toward Havertz on the right. The young Chelsea forward controlled it on his chest, drawing Maksimenko toward him before laying it off to Kimmich
[10’]
Kroos collected the ball from Hummels just outside the Latvian box, sitting at the top of the D. Gündogan made a clever decoy run, dragging Tobers away from the central area before laying it back to the Real Madrid midfielder. Kroos took one touch to set himself, then unleashed a right-footed effort toward the bottom left corner. The shot cannoned off Cernomordijs outstretched leg, deflecting wildly and trickling out for a corner.
"Toni Kroos with the first real effort of the match," Bartels noted. "Blocked well by Cernomordijs there."
"That’s exactly the kind of attacking intent Germany needs to find tonight," Réthy added. "Strikes from distance, breaking the low block from outside the area."
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TO BE CONTINUED...