Germany need to play like champions and other talking points ahead of World Cup clash against South Korea

Aditya Devavrat 23:52 26/06/2018
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  • After producing a comeback of champions against Sweden, Germany are looking to build upon that result and seal qualification for the World Cup Round of 16 with a win against South Korea.

    The Koreans do have an outside shot of qualifying themselves, although they enter this game on the back of two disheartening losses in their opening two group games.

    Here are the talking points ahead of this vital Group F clash.

    GERMANY NEED TO STAMP THEIR AUTHORITY

    Germany were resilient in their come-from-behind victory against Sweden, showing the spirit of a champion side – but not the quality of one. They were still far from their free-flowing, dominant best, and indeed if it were not for a stunning last-gasp free-kick, their situation heading into this game would be far more precarious.

    South Korea’s defence may be the most welcoming they’ve faced so far in Russia, which could allow them to find their feet. Not that they should be taking their opponents lightly – they’ve fallen into that trap already in this tournament, and the Koreans have the pace and quality to do damage if they become complacent again.

    Hopefully their opening two games have been all they needed for a wake-up call, because another lethargic start or more vulnerability on the counter could prove fatal on Wednesday – not to mention, it would signal that they haven’t learned their lessons from their humbling loss against Mexico and narrow win over Sweden.

    Germany need to produce a performance that bears all the hallmark of champions – dominant, swaggering, ruthless, the sort of side they were four years ago. That team still hasn’t shown up at this World Cup.

    Germany fought like champions against Sweden, but there's still room to improvement.

    Germany fought like champions against Sweden, but there’s still room for improvement.

    SOUTH KOREA LOOK TO DO JUSTICE TO THEMSELVES

    It’s been a tournament of much promise but little reward for South Korea, especially for star player Heung-min Son. At least he was able to produce a stunning goal in their 2-1 loss to Mexico – a moment that far and away has been his side’s best over two games. Apart from that, they’ve toiled hard without really looking threatening, and it’s that sort of form that sees them on the brink of a World Cup exit.

    They do still have an outside shot of qualifying if they win – they’ll need Sweden to lose to Mexico as well, in which case they, Germany, and Sweden will be tied on three points, with goal difference coming into play. But more than thinking about their faint hopes of reaching the next round, the Taegeuk Warriors will want to produce a performance that does justice to the quality they have.

    First and foremost will be getting more good moments out of Son, who looked a different player deployed through the middle against Mexico. He provided far more cut and thrust than he had against Sweden, and the entire attack looked better as a result.

    If South Korea can build on that performance and find another gear, this group could get interesting.

    South Korea haven't played up to potential - and neither has Son.

    South Korea haven’t played up to potential – and neither has Son.

    OZIL OR NO OZIL?

    Mesut Ozil is undoubtedly one of the most polarizing players in football. There’s absolutely no doubting his immense quality, but because he can amble through games at times, he attracts criticism like few others of his pedigree.

    In truth it was harsh that he was dropped against Sweden when there were players who had worse games than him in the shock loss to Mexico. Two of those players were Timo Werner and Toni Kroos, who, given the chance to the redeem themselves against Sweden, repaid manager Joachim Low‘s faith and reminded everyone of their quality. Will Ozil get the same opportunity?

    That Germany won without him should not count for much. Yes, Marco Reus had a better game in the No10 role than Ozil had against Mexico, but Julian Draxler wasn’t at his best and Thomas Muller was yet again shockingly poor. If players are being dropped on merit, as Ozil was, then Low would be justified in relegating Muller to the bench and recalling Ozil.

    More importantly, it’s unlikely that Germany can find their best form unless Ozil finds his. South Korea’s defence may be just the sort of opposition to bring that level out of Ozil.

    Ozil didn't get off the bench against Sweden, even as Germany chased a goal.

    Ozil didn’t get off the bench against Sweden, even as Germany chased a goal.

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