Germany's challenge: Deliver from the start against football superpower France

2021-06-14 12:05:58 GMT2021-06-14 20:05:58(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Facing world champions winners France in their UEFA Euro 2020 Group F encounter this Tuesday in Munich, Germany require a top performance right from the start.

The newly assembled squad is facing several challenges. While optimism has grown in recent days due to intense training sessions, doubts remain over whether essential issues can be solved in competitive action.

"This game is nothing to get into the tournament smoothly. Things we focused on have to work right away. Otherwise, the campaign might be a short one for us," Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos stated.

Germany coach Joachim Low intends to avoid a defeat by all means. Defender Antonio Rudiger demanded a robust approach. "We have to be nasty from the start and set a sign early in the game. We can't be playing nice," the Chelsea man said.

CLOSE THE BACK DOOR

"Losing the first game means enormous pressure for the second one," Low said. Therefore, the Germany coach has changed the team's tactics, counting on a new defense.

The 2018 World Cup in Russia remains a trauma as a 1-0 defeat against Mexico led to an early exit after the group stage.

Low's primary target: Don't lose.

The 61-year-old is taking 20 goals conceded in 13 games over the past nine months as a warning shot.

His answer: A chain of three, extending to five when under attack.

MIDFIELD SPACES

To provide more stability, Low recalled Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and Bayern striker Thomas Muller.

To improve the midfield performance, Kroos and Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan do the job in the center. Closing spaces is a must, as well as robustness and a brave heart to stop passes reaching France's front line.

Kroos and Gundogan might alternately get involved in attacking moves, but it seems the City midfielder will mainly play a more defensive role as needed.

EFFICIENCY

Germany's three attackers Muller, Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz will continuously be swapping positions to create goalscoring opportunities.

Chances might not be plentiful as the Germans have only scored three goals in their last five games against France, with two draws and three defeats.

German hopes rest on the upswing of Havertz and Gnabry (16 goals in 22 games) and inspiration of raumdeuter Mueller.

2021 Champions League winner Timo Werner and Monaco spearhead Kevin Volland are set to start on the bench.

SPECIAL AGENT KIMMICH

For Joshua Kimmich, midfield is the 26-year-old's favorite position. However, the Bayern man will sacrifice himself to move back to right-back for the team's benefit.

Low is taking a risk withdrawing Kimmich, as neither Kroos nor Gundogan are known for their robustness.

In the past years since Philipp Lahm retired in 2014, Low has not found a solution for the right side. To use his aggressive leader Kimmich might only be a solution for matches against teams with powerful attacking lines.

Things might change in games against weaker sides, such as in the third group encounter against Hungary.

In 2014, Germany won the World Cup by moving Lahm from midfield to full-back. Enditem

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