Germany, Mexico hope to escape Group F
Image credit: Marco Verch
The German Myth
The fame of Germany in soccer is well known, so well known that there’s conventional wisdom around the German mysticism. Carlos Salvador Bilardo, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 1986 as a manager, provided today’s quote:
“You need to see the Germans showered and on the bus, and after that, you can relax.”
Ignoring Germany’s history in the World Cup is impossible. They could seem defeated and hopeless, but then something fails. They break the odds with an accident, like the goal scored by Marco Reus with a knee. Or something inexplicably magical, like the free kick taken by Toni Kroos.
The squad coached by Joachim Low wanted and deserved the victory, and they tried in every way possible. They did it with frontal ball possession in the middle, by penetrating the sides, ripping long distance shots and incorporating one central defender into the last third of the pitch.
However, the German methodology was studied and analyzed. There was a lack of offensive surprise because Sweden used the same approach as Mexico: close space in the last 40 yards and approach Manuel Neuer’s goal using the open spaces left by the world champions.
It almost worked out.
Low cornered Sweden by sending Gomez, Brant and Gundogan to the field. Even a man down they suffocated their rival, and a vague mistake committed in the 94th minute reminded the Swedes that the German heroic myth is real.
The Germans still have work to do Wednesday against South Korea with Sweden sitting on the same number of points (3) in Group F and both boasting identical goals for (2) and against (2). The Koreans could also shock the world and advance with a wide win combined with a Mexico victory.
The Confirmation
There was a reason why I didn’t address the game of Mexico vs. Germany. I needed confirmation of what happened.
El Tri’s coach, Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, was harshly criticized since the beginning of his process due to the multiple rotations he made during friendly and official games.
Osorio was always a step ahead of the public opinion. He acknowledged that what he was doing “was not rotating players; they were game strategies” as he said in press conference long ago.
Mexico used a different formation and style to face South Korea. Osorio made three changes from the original lineup. Edson Alvarez played as a right back, Carlos Salcedo acted as a center back and Miguel Layun appeared as a central midfielder.
They were again accurate in offense while demonstrating their defensive system as the best strength of the team. Even if the Mexican squad didn’t develop a harmonious style as they did against Germany, El Tri showed authority in their game style.
El Tri registered 87 percent accurate passes, 59 percent of ball possession and 13 shots, five of which were on target and seven inside the box.
What started as a “mistake” for many analysts is now a success. Six points out of six in one of the most — if not the most — difficult groups of the World Cup, gives Mexico the advantage above Germany.
📄 | NOTA
Ya estamos en Ekaterimburgo listos para enfrentar el juego 🆚 🇸🇪.
Así fue nuestra llegada. 👉🏻 https://t.co/YLKJQSCfH5#NadaNosDetiene | #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/e4nzThVm3X
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) June 25, 2018
Sweden will not be an easy task, but the way Mexico performs inside of the pitch makes me think that El Tri won’t have any problem qualifying first in the group to the Round of 16.
The fans confirmed Juan Carlos Osorio as the new most popular man in Mexico. His methodology of trial and error fructified in the most important stage in soccer; he convinced the players after a few months in charge, now the audience is with him.
There’s no more booing every time the speaker calls his name, now the fans chant to “El Profe Osorio” before, during and after the game.
Follow Luis on Twitter: @LFulloa.
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