Best Germany First XI

-------------------Neuer------------------------
---Lahm---Hummels---Howedes---Schmelzer---
-----------Khedira----Schwensteiger----------
-------Muller------Ozil----------Gotze--------
------------------Gomez-----------------------

It's actually hard to decide. Kroos is in the best form of his life but where to put him? I love Götze but I don't think playing him on the left is a good decision.

-------------------Neuer------------------------
---Boateng---Hummels---Badstuber---Lahm---
-----------Khedira----Schweinsteiger----------
-------Müller---------Özil---------Poldi--------
------------------Klose-----------------------

I envy the German national team the choice between Klose and Gomez.

What Sergie said just change Badstuber with Mertesacker, Badstuber is even more slower then him.

Germany could easily field two NTs and still be contenders for major trophies.
Like they did until 1989... The good old times.

ImAbackBone wrote:Germany could easily field two NTs and still be contenders for major trophies.
Like they did until 1989... The good old times.

-------------------Adler
----Boateng,Badstuber,Mertesacker,Aogo-----
----------------Bender,Rolfes--------------
------------Poldolski,Kroos,Marin-----------
------------------Klose-------------

I'd change my formation if we played Spain though. Can't play Podolski against Spain. I'd crowd the midfield and put in either Götze or Kroos.

ImAbackBone wrote:Germany could easily field two NTs and still be contenders for major trophies.
Like they did until 1989... The good old times.

lol.

Easy. Well not that easy, but I'll explain.

-------------------- Neuer
Boateng -- Höwedes --- Hummels --- Lahm
-------- Khedira --- Schweinsteiger ---------
Müller ------------- Özil ------------ Podolski
----------------- Klose ------------------------

Obviously this opens up two or three questions:

#1: Why Podolski
- Simple: He always performs in tournaments. Consistently one of our best players whenever the match actually matters. Can barely be assed to perform in qualifiers against weak opposition, but will run his heart out and be a permanent threat on goal against strong opposition in qualifiers, and in every single match in a tournament. Just remember him at the WC, he was simply World Class, and then he was, domestically, in the middle of a slump while he's actually on a run now.
Yes, Schürrle, Götze and Kroos are obvious replacements on the left flank, and I might even agree with Serge and play one of them there against Spain, because Poldi doesn't have the first touch or technique or ball retention quality of Kroos/Götze. But boy is he a threat on goal when he really tries. And people forget that he's got insane acceleration.

#2: Why Hummels and Höwedes at CB, why Boateng at RB?
Two-part question.
First: Hummels and Höwedes at CB because, frankly, Mertesacker is still great, but has shown that his experience does, in fact, not give him an edge over his younger team mates. And Höwedes is the Schalke captain at his age, and easily the only defender there who doesn't have a string of "off days", in fact he's always been solid, and Boateng is faster, so Boateng gets stuck on the flank. Hummels is a no-brainer, the kid is the next big thing in defense.
Secondly: Boateng at RB because there's no viable alternatives. Had we had more time, I would've loved for Löw to give Beck and/or Castro another shot, but frankly, now the Euros are in 7 months and there's a 3 month break from internationals, so it's not like there's time for further experiments.
Boateng often has to play RB for Bayern and is easily the fastest runner of all our defenders, so he's the CB best suited to fill in as a fullback. Besides that, he's actually made a couple of nice defence-splitting passes, as well as forcing a couple of saves from GKs in the past couple of internationals. So he's not half-bad, he is still better at CB, yes, but with a couple more caps he might actually turn out to be a good fullback, and we're short on alternatives.

#3: Why Klose and not Gomez?
Simple. I don't know who of the two is better. But Klose fits the system better, and as long as he's still young enough and kicking, Gomez can be the backup. Or just play Gomez against weaker opposition, like in the group stages. Chances are both will get playing time anyway, and these days Gomez has enough confidence to score as a sub.

I agree with everything you justsaid, except the part aboutPoldi not having a good first touch and control. Gotze may havebetter control, but thats it. Schurrle andKroos dont have better control than Podolski,no way. Overall, Podolski is far better than Schurrle, and edges Kroos and Gotze too in my opinion. To be perfectly honest, when hesactually trying,i even rate himhigher than Muller. Rememberthat is wasnt THAT long ago that Poldu was called the next huge german star. And I thinj while he didnt completely fulfill his potential, he definitely did well anddidnt disappoint.

Also, I think Kroos should be a sub for Schweini, as he showed yesterday that that is actually his best position imo. I think tbe sub team shouldlook likethis:


Funny that Germanys 2nd team could still compete with most if not all teams in the world.

Btw I put Rensing, Holtby, Marin, and Beck inthere cuz I thinkthere deserve chances.

Can Ozil and Gotze play together?
The answer to that question is where the solution to this puzzle lies.
IMHO, Ozil should be on the wings for them, and Schweinsteigger should be dictating in the middle. Gotze could be on the other wing... But Mueller should take the central AM role. The other option for the wings is Podolski.
Gomez can't perform for the NT... Klose can.
Not even a question that one.

Gomez has been outstanding for the NT in 2011, actually.

VivaStPauli wrote:Gomez has been outstanding for the NT in 2011, actually.

It doesn't matter.
There are certain mental blocks which may pop up at the most inopportune moments [you know what I'm talking about... euro 08]...
Meanwhile, Klose has been performing for Germany forever, and plus, this will probably be his last major tournament... he's gonna step up big time.

But, to have the choice is a bonus nonetheless...

I agree in that I prefer Klose, but to be honest - Gomez already had his moment of redemption. He fired two goals into the exact same Austrian goal that he so famously missed from like 1.5 meters out in 2008. I think those demons are thoroughly exorcised and he won't choke again for the NT.

Klose still fits our system better, so: him. Until 2014, I hope.

Yes you're right bro. Hoping the same here, but perhaps there would be someone better than Gomez after 2014. :dance:

Superstone Mariomintsch wrote:Yes you're right bro. Hoping the same here, but perhaps there would be someone better than Gomez after 2014. :dance:

Yesil says hello

Our bench will be so superb ..Schürle/Poldi, Lars/Sven Bender, Reus, Götze/Müller, (Holtby,Gündogan?), Gomez/Klose, Schmelzer/Hummels/Boateng/Höwedes, Kroos/Khedira...

omg we could easily fill 2 wordclass teams

The only real 100% starting players are Schweinsteiger,Lahm,Badstuber and Özil...
Müller will probably also be starting players.

Then there is a fight between Podolski-Schürle, Khedira-Kroos-L/S Bender-Rolfes, Götze-Reus,Boateng-Höwedes,Hummels-Mertesacker,Gomez/Klose

<3

but not realistic

--------------------Neuer----------------
Boateng----Howedes----Hummels-----Lahm
---------------Schweinsteiger-------------
Muller---------Oezil------Kroos-----Schürrle
-------------------Klose-------------------

Player to watch is on Red

BAYERN_MUNICH wrote:Our bench will be so superb ..Schürle/Poldi, Lars/Sven Bender, Reus, Götze/Müller, (Holtby,Gündogan?), Gomez/Klose, Schmelzer/Hummels/Boateng/Höwedes, Kroos/Khedira...

omg we could easily fill 2 wordclass teams

The only real 100% starting players are Schweinsteiger,Lahm,Badstuber and Özil...
Müller will probably also be starting players.

Then there is a fight between Podolski-Schürle, Khedira-Kroos-L/S Bender-Rolfes, Götze-Reus,Boateng-Höwedes,Hummels-Mertesacker,Gomez/Klose

Muller would be bro, he's just so so good for ze German. I think Hummels would be as well. Also, Yesil > Gomez in the future
[wow][/wow]
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

After yesterday, I won't dare draw up a lineup without Khedira. Kid single-handedly made us keep a clean sheet.

Exactly, Kroos might be the most talented player in FM 2011. I don't know about now, but the player in red is still a supersub and reliable benchman, not a definite starter beside Ozil. And Godolski will not make way for Schurrle who I don't think is that much better than Holtby, just play in less competitive post. No Gomez there is the rightest thing though.

BAYERN_MUNICH wrote:

BAYERN_MUNICH wrote:Our bench will be so superb ..Schürle/Poldi, Lars/Sven Bender, Reus, Götze/Müller, (Holtby,Gündogan?), Gomez/Klose, Schmelzer/Hummels/Boateng/Höwedes, Kroos/Khedira...

omg we could easily fill 2 wordclass teams

The only real 100% starting players are Schweinsteiger,Lahm,Badstuber and Özil...
Müller will probably also be starting players.

Then there is a fight between Podolski-Schürle, Khedira-Kroos-L/S Bender-Rolfes, Götze-Reus,Boateng-Höwedes,Hummels-Mertesacker,Gomez/Klose

--------------------Neuer------------------------
------Lahm---------Howedes-------Boateng------
------------------Schwensteiger-----------------
------Müller-----Kroos--------Götze---Reus-------
-----------------------Özil-----------------------
--------------------Gomez-----------------------

<3

would love to see that one time in a test game
but not realistic

Godolski and Klose is still irreplaceable as of now, sir.

Reus is the man to watch out for , many of you won't have seen him play because he rejected 5 of his 7 NT nominations because of injuries, but this guy is the new star in germany ...


Kroos is in my opinion superb since Hitzfeld brought him into the first team a fews years ago, with some downs inbetween but you could see his magic back in that time. He will easily fill the role of Schweinsteiger when Schweini retires.