Jon McleodGermany vs England - review
November 19th 2008 23:03
England’s vitriol following their win over Germany has been emphatic. But the greatest significance of the night was a German team, playing in their capital city, and little more than a shell of the once great footballing super power.
England’s performance was decent, ever more when considering it was a back-up side, and there were some promising displays from the likes of Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Shaun Wright Phillips and Stewart Downing. But you could scarcely believe they were playing the mighty Germans.
In truth England were given an easy ride. Johnson and Wayne Bridge were rarely tested at full-back, John Terry and Mathew Upson enjoyed a hassle free evening in Munich and Carrick and Gareth Barry were afforded the run of the midfield, being given time and space to create and dictate at will. The intimidating, bullying and beguiling Germans of previous years were replaced by a fragile rabble that have struggle under the wieght of national expectations for a few years.
We have known for a long time that Germany have lost their individual skill but their collective belief looks as though it has finally run dry. The truth is Germany’s power have been on the wane for the past decade. They have reached a world cup final in 2002 and came close in 2006 as they did in 2008, but on those occasions it was down to a remarkable reserves of mental strength and a tactical cohesiveness rather than a formidable force of individuals. And, while tactics and belief are great for plucky performances, they are the preserve of the underdog and not those that aspire to be the to dogs. The best teams have it all.
With any dynasty belief and confidence out lives ability. The mental certainty gathered over years of triumph can often endure for some time after the decline has set in, but set in it has and the German’s have realized their own mediocrity with devastating effect.
Prior to the game, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff criticized the English Premiership for having too many foreigners and not producing enough England players. He should look more closely at the state of affairs in his own nation. Germany need to find some players and quick. For England they must remember that it was ‘only Germany’ – it still sounds slightly bizarre but is increasingly accurate.
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