UEFA Euro 2012 betting preview – part 5c – Germany (attacking abilities)
In our previous Germany Euro 2012 betting preview articles we have looked at the excellent German soccer traditions and given our opinion on the betting odds currently available in the market. We have also looked into how the mighty Germans might look defensively come the Euro 2012. You can find these articles here:
The scope of this article is to give you some insight into the German offense so that you can enjoy some profitable Euro 2012 betting. Here we go:
The attacking players
Mario Gomez of Bayern Munchen has had a couple of fine seasons. Last season he was the Bundesliga top scorer, and he can still get that title as he at the time of writing is trailing Huntelaar of Schalke by one goal. He is a natural born goal scorer, and everyone has seen this season that he can cut it at the highest level. His contribution to the Bavarian giants Champions League final on home turf has been massive. Allthough he quite often has played second fiddle (even in the qualification to the Euro 2012 games) to Klose and even Podolski he gets the goals also at international level when he is given a chance. Gomez is a constant threat to his opponents. Be sure he will put some balls in the net when the tournament kick off. Given his form and growing reputation we’d be surprised if he wouldn’t be included come the first match.
Marislav Klose left Bayern Munchen and paved way for Gomez, but when the “Mannschaft” is playing he still gets plenty of game time as long as he is fit. Now he is 33 years old and doing his thing for Lazio in the Italian Serie A, but he is still scoring headers and passing the ball around neatly. With his routine he also brings necessary experience to this team. So far in the Italian campaign he has notched 12 goals. During the Euro 2012 qualification he scored a whopping nine goals. Another natural born goalscorer made for the big occasions.
Cacau, or Claudemir Jeronimo Barreto as the german taxman names him is a Brazillian born striker who plays for Stuttgart. He has always been on the fringes of the German team, behind the bigger names, but he is nevertheless a great player. He was given the nod, and scored in the friendly against France 29.2.2012 where Germany lost 1-2 at home. Should he come on you can expect him to show his technique, speed as well as his trademark die hard – give all attitude. These qualities combined with an eye for goal makes him a player that should earn a call-up for the squad.
Lukas Podolski of FC Cologne has had a tough season with the club he loves in the German Bundesliga. It recently became clear that he is ready to move to Arsenal come the opening of the transfer window in June. Even if Cologne has struggled and might be relegated he has found the opportunity to score 18 goals and give 8 assists so far this season. A massive achievement! Podolski can play either on the left flank or in a more typical striker role. He is technically gifted and has dynamite in his boots. Now at age 26 he seems to have matured quite a bit and deliver one outstanding performance after the other. In the past he drifted out of games too easily.
Thomas Muller, 22, of Bayern Munchen is an advanced attacking midfielder who can also play in any attacking role. He can easily occupy either of the wings as well as any striker role. Very much a modern footballer, he has a quick brain and quick feet. His quick acceleration, general pace, determination, technique and eye for the final pass or the spectacular goal makes him a crowd pleaser. He might not have the best dribbling skills ala Messi and Ronaldo, but we are talking about a future captain fantastic here. Expect him to play, score and assist.
Toni Kroos, another 22 year old of Bayern Munchen is a little bit more defensive minded than Muller, but he likes getting forward notching goals and creating goals for others as well. He can easily handle advanced attacking midfield roles as well as playing from the left. Kroos is yet another total football type player. Decent in all areas and even his young age quite experienced at a high level. During the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign he continued his remarkable co-operation with Thomas Muller and the head coach might not want to play around too much with his team that went 10-0-0 in qualification.
Mesut Özil, 23 the number 10 of Real Madrid doesn’t need much introduction. His vision, passes and eye for goal and perfect assists makes him a fun to watch attacking midfielder. He can slot into any of the wing roles, and given the lone striker, three attacking midfielder set up that the German coach likes to use he is pretty much an easy choice for Mr Löw.
Mario Götze, 19 of Dortmund is a similar player to Mesut Özil. He likes to play off the right. He is pacey and has bags full of trickery. He can dribble and he can cross. He can drift in and finish himself. His range of passing is also extreme for a player so young. Franz Beckenbauer himself has likened him to Messi, and that is understandable. He is that good. Physically he might need to add some kilos of muscle, if he can do that without compromising his current style that is. He should be included and most likely he will get game time.
Marco Reus, 22 now of Dortmund (just re-transferred from Gladbach) is another exciting attacking midfielder that can play on either flank or in advanced attacking midfield roles. Again, we are dealing with a massive talent here. Again it is total football we are talking about. The man has pace and ability and he can pick any form of pass as well as shoot and score. He is perhaps not the strongest in the air and physically he should probably gain 2-3 kg of muscle, but what a fine player he has become. He should link link up very well with Mario Götze next season and improve an already exciting Dortmund side further. We expect him to get his chances in the Euro 2012.
André Schürrle, 21 of Leverkusen is yet another young player with a bright future. He can play on the wings and he can take the traditional striker role so his versatility is in his favor. He usually plays from the left, and with his pace and trickery he is a smile maker. He can also take on more advanced positions, and then he gets to fire off his excellent shot more often. Matched at a high level with Champions League football we think he will get a nod in the squad, but he will find game time hard to get unless his form peaks.
Marko Marin of Werder Bremen is another exciting young player (23). He can play in advanced attacking midfield positions as well on either wing. He has recently been linked with Chelsea. He is perhaps not as naturally gifted as Muller, Özil, Götze and Reus, but he definitely is no walk over. He is slightly more physical than Özil, Götze and Reus which is a plus squad wise. He can hold the ball well and thereby free up his teammates. He got a powerful shot, and his short-range passing is excellent. We would have liked a player of this potential to have a slightly higher work rate, especially defensively and perhaps a bit better aerial quality. He might be given the nod, but we would be surprised if he got much game time.
Offensive conclusions
Solid stuff is being lined up by the Germans. Their attacks from midfield are amazing, and most likely a three man attacking midfield with a lone striker will be used. Roos will have part defensive and part attacking duties we believe, so that attacking three easily become an attacking four. On top they can choose between in-form Gomez,and Podolski, or go for veteran Klose. Should any player be out they got excellent replacements. Thomas Muller and Mesut Özil stand out as two players that will be key this Euro 2012 and perhaps tough to be replaced. We suggest you make sure they’re fit to play before placing any Euro 2012 bets. Other than that, wow Germany!
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