Germany v Mexico, 17th June, 4pm(GMT)

[JJ1532]

My tournament favourites going in, Germany are the defending champions and I think the team to beat.

Their squad looks as formidable as ever, with strength in depth in defence and midfield. There are question marks over the forward position, but that shouldn't stop them making short work of their group and getting through a lot of the knockout stages.

As for Mexico, they like a few others, always seem to do ok in the World Cup, but never go very far. They have made the knockout stages of the last 6 tournaments, but haven't won a game. They have a tricky group and have a tough start here. Can they surprise anyone, or are they destined for another last 16 exit?

All match chat in here.

 

[Carver]

Germany will score at least 4 goals with it being their first match to have everyone fear them.

2002 Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia
2006 Germany 4-2 Costa Rica
2010 Germany 4-0 Australia
2014 Germany 4-0 Portugal

 

[Benji]

I also suspect Germany will enjoy this match. Both were weakened sides, but Mexico played a dire draw out with Wales. Then only narrowly beat a Scotland team which by all accounts is at a genetic disadvantage. They hate their manager too.

Germany's players, on the other hand, have been rubbing shoulders with evil dictators in preparation for being in Russia, so will be relaxed and as capable as ever.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Let's see how Lozano does. Heard quite a lot of hype around him (probably partly due to Fifa...) so it will be interesting to see. He and De Arrascaeta are the two players I've been looking forward to seeing, one of them has already been a massive let down, let's see the second.

That Germany team is ridiculous. Lahm quits and Kimmich is probably the perfect replacement, Klose goes and in comes Werner. Not fair really.

 

[Chris FGR]

Germany are class. Friendly results mean jack shit, they'll be ready. Mexico decent, so should be a good game.

Not a fan of Jonathan Pearce, talks too much shit for my liking. Can't even get the team news right. Hector's ill, not dropped.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Muller always been on the right, drifting in as a second forward when Germany push higher up? (Aimed at Phil Neville's shows how good Werner is, Muller is on the right now)

 

[Benji]

He's definitely played on the right for a number of years now.

 

[Chris FGR]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Muller always been on the right, drifting in as a second forward when Germany push higher up? (Aimed at Phil Neville's shows how good Werner is, Muller is on the right now)

Yep, he's pretty much always done that, never rally played as an out and out striker, not for Germany when they've used the likes of Klose and Gomez through the middle with him wide, and even when they used Götze as a false 9 he played there as well or at Bayern where Lewandowski always plays trough the middle. Not sure what P. Nevillie was on about.

Werner is rapid. Probably one of the quickest strikers in the tournament. Not easy getting him in behind though, given most teams will sit deep against them.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

I fancied the chances of a possible shock here. Mexico have got some exciting players (especially if Hernandez is at it) and I’m not that impressed with Germany’s team just yet. Can’t quite understand why you’d play Draxler over Reus, the former always underwhelms when I see him.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Really? I love a bit of Draxler.

Lozano's really impressing me, Germany leaving quite a bit of space on his side when Kimmich is pushing up.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Yeah, I guess he doesn’t get a lot of chances at PSG (or does he?), but whenever I’ve seen him, I’ve never been impressed. He’s quite weak and not really a battler. Germany look really vulnerable on the counter attack. More quality from Mexico and they could get in some trouble in this game.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Lozano's really impressing me, Germany leaving quite a bit of space on his side when Kimmich is pushing up.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

And there’s the quality haha..

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Yeah, I guess he doesn’t get a lot of chances at PSG (or does he?), but whenever I’ve seen him, I’ve never been impressed. He’s quite weak and not really a battler. Germany look really vulnerable on the counter attack. More quality from Mexico and they could get in some trouble in this game.

He plays a respectable number considering in reality he's competing with Neymar.

 

[Bobbin']

Kimmich knows where he’s supposed to be playing doesn’t he?

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Kimmich knows where he’s supposed to be playing doesn’t he?

Yeah. It's Germany's gameplan though, get the width with Kimmich, Muller does Muller things pushing central with Werner. Problem is, it's not working and it's letting Lozano run riot.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Muller looks a shadow of the player he used to be at the moment. I can’t help feeling that this German team would be more exciting without Ozil. It’s too slow and predictable. Yes he can perform a pass out of nowhere but right now they need more pace, like Mexico have.

 

[Chris FGR]

The reason Germany look so open is down to Löw's tactics. If you play 4-2-3-1 with the full backs pushing on, especially Kimmich, then you need legs in midfield to cover, a proper no.6. Khedira and Kroos aren't mobile enough and they're getting caught out. It's not like Germany don't have any other options there. It's making them vulnerable when there's no need to.

They keep going on about Sane being missed, but he's done nothing playing for Germany.

 

[Bilo]

This is no good for us but it’s impossible to not root for Mexico. Here’s to Germany being this year’s big flop!

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

The reason Germany look so open is down to Löw's tactics. If you play 4-2-3-1 with the full backs pushing on, especially Kimmich, then you need legs in midfield to provide cover, a proper no.6. Khedira and Kroos aren't mobile enough and they're getting caught out. It's not like Germany don't have any other options there. It's making them vulnerable when there's no need to.

They keep going on about Sane being missed, but he's done nothing playing for Germany.

I don't think it's necessarily that they're not mobile mobile enough, but they're just leaving the defence so exposed with their positioning. Neither one seems to be acting as that number 6, both getting forward to try and box Mexico in, but then it's straight forward to Lozano/ Hernandez/ Vela and leaving Hummels/ Boateng/ Plattenhardt really exposed.

I don't disagree with Kimmich getting up, but Khedira has to be dropping back and screening the defence, not getting up in support. How many balls out from Mexico have been cut out before reaching Lozano?

 

[Super_horns]

Mexico breaking well and holding on with some comfort.

Germany panicking which is unlike them .

 

[GTFCfish]

Loving this.

 

[Dirk]

 

[Jockney]

Mexico played a blinder. Don't even think Germany did that badly, just couldn't find the finishing touch.

 

[DarkSithLord]

VIVA MEXICO! Heroic effort. Their out on their feet. Germany look off colour, The decison to leave Leroy Sane out will cost them #MEXGER

 

[Steve_Wafc]

I fancied the chances of a possible shock here. Mexico have got some exciting players (especially if Hernandez is at it) and I’m not that impressed with Germany’s team just yet. Can’t quite understand why you’d play Draxler over Reus, the former always underwhelms when I see him.

Told you haha. Just had a feeling. I never for one second thought Germany would score, they were terrible. The only time they had a bit of urgency and energy was when that Brandt came on.. they gave him 5 minutes.

 

[Jockney]

Told you haha. Just had a feeling. I never for one second thought Germany would score, they were terrible. The only time they had a bit of urgency and energy was when that Brandt came on.. they gave him 5 minutes.

Germany weren't terrible. I think Mexico deserve credit. They defended for the entire 2nd half like it was the dying moments of the final.

 

[Nilsson]

Brilliant by Mexico. They probably should've scored more, Germany afforded them so much space, especially in the first half.

 

[GTFCfish]

Germany will score at least 4 goals with it being their first match to have everyone fear them.

2002 Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia
2006 Germany 4-2 Costa Rica
2010 Germany 4-0 Australia
2014 Germany 4-0 Portugal

Carver's expert predicting skills coming to the fore again I see.

 

[Benji]

I didn't think Mexico were going to hang on. They were backs to the wall for most of that second half, but Germany never carved out a killer chance and until about minute 70 Mexico were dangerous on the break.