WORLD CUP 2006
Germany Tactics
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Jurgen Klinsmann is a devotee of 4-4-2, but there is plenty of flexibility within that basic framework. Against theoretically inferior opponents he is likely to use a midfield diamond in which Torsten Frings has the anchor role, Bernd Schneider and Bastian Schweinsteiger push up on the right and left flanks respectively and Michael Ballack plays in behind the strikers. Other variants are to play a flat line of three attacking midfielders with a workhorse in behind them, or use two enforcers (Frings plus Tim Borowski, Sebastian Kehl or Fabian Ernst) and two more creative types (Ballack plus one other).
Klinsmann may even go with a 4-3-3 in games Germany are expected to dominate, though experiments with this system have not been entirely successful. In this scheme, there are two defensive midfielders, while Ballack is given freedom to organise play and break forward.
When up against big footballing nations, the coach is likely to opt for a 4-4-2 designed to stifle the opposition and hit on the counter. The back line would play high, close to a bank of four midfielders, with the two wide midfielders frequently tucking in.
Jens Lehmann has got the nod for the goalkeeping berth, and the full-back positions are the property of Arne Friedrich (right) and Philipp Lahm. However, the central defensive positions are still up for grabs; Per Mertesacker and Robert Huth have their noses in front but Christoph Metzelder could yet outstrip one of them. Up front, Miroslav Klose looks set to lead the line, with young gun Lukas Podolski dropping into deep positions.
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