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| Saturday, 28 April 2012 09:32 |
Euro 2012: What Real Madrid v Bayern Munich told us about Portugal v GermanyLessons to be learned for Paulo Bento and company The thrilling Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich was contested by as many as twelve players who will be involved in Portugal’s opening Euro 2012 clash against Germany on June 9th. Seleccao expert Nathan Motz looks back, looks forward and draws his conclusions in relation to the summer tournament.
As the dust settles on a pair of blockbuster Champions League semi-final engagements, one match has distinguished itself as a harbinger of things to come. In under two months, Portugal will open their Euro 2012 campaign against a German team considered by many (Franz Beckenbauer among them) to be one of the greatest ever assembled. In the aftermath of Real Madrid’s heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to the Bayern Munich, and in particular, in the light of the performances of Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao, numerous distinct and telling inferences can be drawn about Portugal’s critical Group B opener.
It’s no secret that the Germans are renowned for their organisational pre-eminence, which has without a doubt been responsible for their phenomenal record in major championships. Germany has won the World Cup and the European Championship a combined six times, and have finished third place or better in the last three major tournaments.
In international tournaments, preparation and team coordination are key to success and it’s easy to see why Germany would excel at those things. Against Madrid, no less than seven potential starters for the German national team took the field for Bayern Munich. Until fairly recently, most German internationals preferred to remain in their homeland, which bestowed an advantage in terms of tactical understanding of the “German” game. Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Per Mertesacker, and most recently Lukas Podolski have only in the last few years decided to venture out into the unknown.
Coentrao struggles What this all means for Portugal was fairly summed up during the Bayern Munich-Real Madrid contest. Over the course of the two legs, first Coentrao and then Pepe were gradually worn down by the perpetual battering of Bayern Munich’s strategic attacks. Coentrao started well enough against the Germans, but over time he became more and more unsettled by the flair and finesse of Arjen Robben and the patient but effective overlapping runs of Phillip Lahm. The overwhelming pressure was clearly visible, and at one point Coentrao in his haste to make a clearance actually smacked the ball right into Pepe and out for a corner. To be fair, Robben won’t be on the field with the Germans this summer, but Mesut Ozil will be, and his technical artistry will likely present a similar threat. Such was Coentrao’s performance, that he did not see the field in the second leg.The situation for Pepe was quite similar. Portugal’s combative central defender performed fairly well in the first leg, but by the second leg, it became obvious that Mario Gomez and co. will be giving him fits this summer. Gomez, Klose, and Podolski, Germany’s striker corps, all present physical mismatches for Portugal and Gomez’s performance against Pepe in the second leg said it all. Even Pepe’s aggressiveness couldn’t stop Gomez from breaking into the penalty area, leaving him no choice but to haul down the striker for a clear penalty.
Portugal’s defence will be stretched to the limit over the course of 90 minutes in Lviv, and both Pepe and Coentrao have already exhibited some inadequacies that will present themselves again. Germany’s coordinated attacking strategy is one that utilises their physical superiority to full effect. When on the ball, each German player executes with the confidence that every other player on the field will be exactly where they should be, and at the right time. There is very little hesitation and even less confusion about the way the Germans go about wearing their opposition to a nub. Coentrao and Pepe both fell victim to the constant grinding of wave after wave of synchronised assaults, a symphony of attacking organisation that will be repeated in Ukraine this June.
German weakness? Interestingly, Germany’s reliance on organisational dominance can be their undoing, a fact that was demonstrated by Real Madrid at times over the course of the two legs. Whenever Los Merengues were forthright in their movements, direct and vigorous in their attacking execution, the Bavarians were given less time to congeal as a defensive unit. Madrid’s first goal in Munich puts this discussion into its proper context. A swift counterattack was begun by a long pass from Sami Khedira out of the defence, the ball drifting from one wing to the other before finding Ronaldo, who was able to test Neuer and eventually provide the assist for a crucial goal. Likewise, in a recent friendly against France, the Germans were twice undone by direct, incisive attacks originating with a long ball out of the defence that was facilitated through the wings. Sound familiar?
From Portugal’s point of view, this style of play fits like a glove and it will be imperative for Paulo Bento and the Seleccao to learn from these lessons and prepare to play disciplined counterattacking football. Long spells of possession proved ineffective for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich, and the case will be similar for Portugal or any other team that plays Germany this summer. Portugal’s strength is on the wings and its only real chance of getting a result against Germany will be in utilising Ronaldo and Nani to devastating effect.
Slow tempo will suit GermanyIf Portugal settle for a slower more deliberate tempo, Germany will be afforded time to choke out the midfield and deny service to the attacking third of the pitch. When Ronaldo gets the ball in dangerous areas, he will always be a threat to score, as we all witnessed in the second leg for Real Madrid’s second goal. But for long periods of the game, Madrid were ponderous and lethargic on their offensive forays and Bayern were able to smother their attacking movements.
In all honesty, Portugal doesn’t have to earn a result against Germany to survive their group this summer. Even if Portugal are beaten by Germany, they will be at least slightly favoured to beat Denmark before a more manageable game against the Dutch, an opponent that Portugal matches up with quite well.
What did we learn from Bayern Munich versus Real Madrid? Maybe nothing, maybe everything, but what we can be sure of is that the Seleccao’s most difficult group match will be on June 9th in Lviv, against a well-disciplined German side that will be capable of inflicting serious punishment should the omen of the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich go unheeded.
by Nathan Motz
Nathan will be PortuGOAL’s correspondent in Ukraine and Poland as part of our extensive coverage of the Seleccao’s participation at Euro 2012.
Related: Bayern shatter Real Madrid dream Related: Real Madrid beaten by late Bayern goal Follow PortuGOAL on Twitter and Facebook |
Also this guy is not a youngster he's 26 already, Vieirinha! He's got good quality and could definitely boost our national team. He was unfortunate to pick up an injury in Wolfsburg soon after transferring there in January. He's recently come back and is getting game time again. Had he been fit right through he would have definitely pushed our sub wingers Quaresma,Varela hard for a place on the national team! Whats also interesting is that he's also sometimes been used as a center forward or second striker in a 4-4-2 in Wolfsburg. Its too late for him most likely to make the Euro, but he'd definitely bring quality to the team.
Also Adrien Silva is not really super young anymore he's 22 now, but he's a good center midfielder with good class. I think he's also very close to being called up soon. Definitely for the World Cup 2014 he should figure in the team. Despite Academicas troubles recently, I think its fair to say that Adrien Silva has been one of the best center midfielders in the league!
If you've read any of my posts, I have always seperated club and Int'l futebol. If anything you should have seen how I screamed for Martins NOT to be called up.
I admit in undervaluing Moutinho a bit, but I still say he really needs guys to be great around him for him to flourish.
I've also said that Perreira might cost us due yo his temper but he's our best option.
I get that Carrico has played more and has been instrumental, but he's still not seeing full matches. That's not something that you just adjust to.
Varela has done nothing this season for a Porto squad that could have used him.
By the way i like the selections that were posted, albeit Varela.
Miguel Veloso is a nice player too. I like him as well, he brings quality to the game. But so does Daniel Carrico! We need to have more than one option for our defensive midfield in the national team. Right now we should be delighted that we have two quality players of different styles for that position in Veloso and Carrico. Veloso brings excellent technique skill and passing and okay defending. Carrico brings great strength and defensive prowess and more pace than Veloso too. He's not as skilled as Veloso, but he is still technically sound and for a defensive midfielder he is still more than good enough! Daniel Carrico is a lion of a player and with Sa Pinto he has been an important player for Sporting again. In the biggest games in Europe he shone brightly for Sporting. He's a rock for us in the midfield.
I am not saying take one over the other. We must take both, but probably Carrico should be 1st choice because he offers us better defensive coverage. If we play with Veloso I guess we could play a possession style game and just keep the ball as a form of defense. Its a tough choice but definitely both of them deserve to be on the national team!
Ronaldo----------------------------------------------------------Nani
--------------------------------------------Meireles-----------------------
--------------------Moutinho----------------------------------------------
Coentrao----------------Carrico---------------------------Pereira----
-----------------Alves--------------------Pepe-------------------------
----------------------------Patricio--------------------------------------
Daniel Carrico has been playing regularly as a defensive midfielder in the past few months, and he is getting better and better. His spot right behind Moutinho and Meireles will provide the defensive cover that our back 4 needs. He will also support Coentrao and Pereira against wingers, give us an extra defender for set pieces, and his defensive ability will give Moutinho and Meireles the license to play in more advanced positions.
If i were Bento, I would bring these 23 players:
Helder Postiga
Nelson Oliveira
Hugo Almeida
Cristiano Ronaldo
Nani
Ricardo Quaresma
Silvestre Varela
Joao Moutinho
Raul Meireles
Manuel Fernandes
Miguel Veloso
Hugo Viana
Daniel Carrico
Pepe
Bruno Alves
Paulo Jorge
Joao Pereira
Miguel Lopes
Fabio Coentrao
Nelson
Rui Patricio
Eduardo
Beto
Different players, different coaches. Pointless IMO. Peace
Based on performance, shouldn't Pereirinha get a call up as well?
I'm no fan of Veloso, and he's been in and out of lineup as well.
I'm not against giving Carrico a go, but its a sad state if we can't get regular first team players onto the Seleccao.
The other player that has fallen off badly is Varela, who just might not warrant a call up.
They disgust me to be honest.
For sure Germany have the best team spirit, togetherness and will to win in international football, and have a dangerous attack that could really hurt our slightly suspect defence. I am sure they will score at least once against us, probably more. But conversely i also think that their defence is nothing special either, and they don't have any world-class centre-backs. The likes of Mertesacker are very slow, and CR7 and Nani could really worry them with their pace and precision.
Another point is that, despite them having that great winning mentality and tradition and psychological edge over all their opponents...on the other hand there is no doubt in my mind that we are better than them technically, and we have to use this to our advantage. Spain in the last 2 major tournaments used their technical superiourity to really nullify Germany and made them look really ordinary. We must take some tips from that.
All in all i think two main points are vital to us getting a good result...firstly, the defence has to be improved to cope with their dangerous attack. Like other posters, I think Carrico should play the defensive midfield role, as he offers more steel than anyone else we have in that position. Marking from set-pieces also has to be spot on (as it wasn't 4 years ago against the same opponents!). Secondly i repeat, we have to look to attack Germany's ordinary defence with pace and power, and we can definitely score against them too...Should be a hot contest!!!
Also, Coentrão looks awful in that pic. Just had to get that out.
Against Germany we'll need a defensive midfielder, and as you mentioned, we'll have to utilize a high pressure, counter attacking game. We did this to perfection in the friendly against Spain.
Daniel Carrico has really matured as a defensive midfielder, and in the past few weeks, he's been excellent. Of course he isn't as technically gifted as Miguel Veloso, but he'll provide the physicality and athleticism that our midfield has missed since Costinha.
In the Euro 2008, our technical, but physically weak midfield of Deco, Meireles, and Petit was completely overrun by the much stronger, albeit less technical Germans. The current German side maintains the steel and strength of the 2008 squad with the likes of Schweinstiger and Khedira, but they are also much better technically with the brilliant Mesut Ozil.
I have said it before on many posts: Ozil will destroy Miguel Veloso. Miguel Veloso is a calm passer and he's great at taking set pieces. This is great against weak teams in qualification, but against the likes of Germany and Holland, we'll need a real defensive midfielder. Pepe can be excellent in this role, but he is needed at the heart of the defense.
Daniel Carrico is better technically than Pepe, and as a center back by trade, he'll offer the protection we so desperately need in the big teams.
Also against Holland, another team with physical midfielders, Carrico definitely should start. Not only do they have Sneijder, but their threat from the wings will cause us a lot of trouble. We saw what happened to Coentrao when Robben and Lahm constantly came down his wing. Ronaldo will not offer much support against Robben and van der Wiel, so Carrico will be needed to support Coentrao.
Hopefully Bento will realize what Carrico can do for the seleccao. If we use a midfield of Moutinho, Meireles, and Veloso, we will definitely be eliminated.
Also I would like to see Paulo Bento give Miguel Lopes a shot at right back. Defensively, he is by far the best option we have at right back. Joao Pereira has played well for the seleccao, but he can still be a liability defensively.
On the 1st leg, Real started three Portuguese, and Bayern started, seven Germans.
2nd leg, Real started two Portuguese, and Bayern started 7 Germans.
Last time I checked, Ribery, Robben, Gustavo and even Alba will not be playing for the German side. They were all integral in Bayern advancing.
Likewise for the amount of players that Real used.
Yes the tactics might/should/could be the same, but here's a big difference in having Ozil and Alonso controlling the middle and any other Portuguese.
Please don't go on about how Moutinho would been able to make those passes to Cristiano. He doesn't have the pace to get himself clear never mind make the pass. No I'm not killing Moutinho. He's a good player, not just in Ozils class.
Same for Ribery and Robben barreling down the line and someone else.