Germany, as usual considered to be one of the top favourites to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, seems not so popular this time.
But the Germany team have a lot of excellent players to bring the German on top level to Qatar and could make a huge difference to how Germany get on.
Germany, four times title winners of the World Cup, never before in the postwar era had they been eliminated before the quarter-finals in two major tournaments in a row. But the ignominious group stage exit in 2018 was followed by defeat against England in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
Meanwhile, Spain, who first time played the final surpassing all the favourites in the World Cup in 2010 South Africa, stunned all winning the cup of the then European champions.
Germany this time comprised in the top-heavy group along with the European powers, 2010 World Cup champions Spain, Asian powerhouses Japan and three times in a row making rooms in the final round Costa Rica won’t be pushovers in the least.
However, the Germans are the top favourites in their group followed by Spain andno doubt they are not out of favourotes to win the cup.
Between Spain and Germany have won two European championships and two World Cups since 2008. And since ’02, only two major tournaments in which both countries competed did not feature at least one of them in the semifinals.
One of those tournaments was the 2018 World Cup, in which both sides wildly underperformed. Germany and forward Thomas Müller, who leads all active players with 10 World Cup goals, crashed out of the group stage, while Spain fell to host Russia in the round of 16.
For German it would be helpful if the team played like a team again. The problem can’t be a lack of talent because the starting XI consists almost exclusively of players who have won the Champions League, and there are some exciting talents coming through.
There are gaps though and it still remains to be seen who will play as the No 9: with Timo Werner injured the favourite to start is Kai Havertz, who is perhaps more comfortable playing behind a centre-forward. The coach, Hansi Flick, sprung a surprise when announcing his squad, including the 17-year-old Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko, who will be an interesting option from the bench. Mario Götze, now at Eintracht Frankfurt, is also travelling to Qatar.
Germany may see some problems, as their short preparation time may prove to be a trouble for them when at full-back but the biggest issue is in central midfield. Joshua Kimmich is a tremendous distributor of the ball but has come under increasing pressure because of a perceived weakness in tackles.
How Hansi Flick will put together the midfield (4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1) is therefore the big question heading into the World Cup.
Despite all this, the aim is to the semi-finals at least. Germany’s main strength, apart from their international experience, is that several players can score the goals. Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Havertz and not least Thomas Müller are always likely to contribute. Leon Goretzka is a goalscoring midfield heir to Lothar Matthäus and Michael Ballack, while Manuel Neuer is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the age of 36.
Spain, though will start as underdog among the favourites but there is no way to ignore tham, as after begoinning the campaign, as underdogs in 2010 in South Africa, finally stunned all winning the title.