Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
World Champions Germany open their Euro 2016 campaign with a potentially tricky tie against Ukraine. A tie that has been made more difficult by the fact that Joachim Low has lost key personnel at the back with injuries to Mats Hummels and Antonio Ruediger
Ruediger’s injury is a massive blow not just to Low but to the Roma Defender as he looked very close to a move to Chelsea after the tournament, that move is a long way away as he starts a lengthy rehabilitation program
Jonathan Tah comes into the squad to replace Rudiger but the question now will be who will Low start with in his weakened backline this Evening. It was already a squad light on defensive talent and these injuries certainly wouldn’t have helped their cause
It’s quite an imbalanced squad in fairness, so Low will be hoping there’s no injuries to 1 of his only 3 recognised forwards. Will he unleash youngster Leroy Sane early on in the tournament, the Schalke star has been linked with many top European clubs and an impressive spell for Germany could see his price tag rise even higher
Low has plenty to choose from in Midfield after picking no fewer than 10 of them, it’s quite obvious he will have a selection dilemma but what a one to have. There is an embarrasment of riches in that squad almost to the point where they don’t need a striker
It worked for Spain back in 2012 when they won in Ukraine and it’s Ukraine who are the World Champions opponents Tonight, they may lack a finisher with the prowess of Andrei Shevchenko and have become a more defensive team because of that but that means they could very well frustrate Germany
Although to label them strictly as a defensive side would be unfair as they have midfield duo of Yehven Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko that they can unleash. These two may not get on off the pitch but when it matters they will be a constant threat for whoever they are up against
If those two in particular can exploit Germany’s potential weakness at the back then they may have a chance of getting something out of the game, but with Germany having so much talent further forward I can’t see them coming away with anything less than a win.
