Lakerman makes some good points and I just can't pass up these lines on germany. I've been watching this game for about fifteen years, don't know as much as most of you in this forum, but Germany is the best offensive team I've ever seen save for maybe Brazil teams in the late 90s.
Germany's D is weak despite what people think. I think that one thing that may haunt them is Lahm. He plays so far up the pitch, if he's not smart he may get exposed. However, Italy's midfielders are slow and they are not a good counter team despite what the lakerman says. They want to control the pace and will take some chances when they are there but I am not impressed with Cassano and whoever else they will have at the front. Will Di Natali start? I do not know, and he is there 2nd best player.
Gigi Buffon is a stud and they feed off his energy and Pirlo's control. Schweinsteiger is still dealing with an injury but he should be good to go. Gomez/Klose up front are a deadly punch, with one coming off the bench. Podolski is very fast too and the Italian defense is above average.
The biggest reason why I like Germany is because of Ozil. I think this guy is the best player on the pitch by a mile and he will carve up Italy's defense. I see a lot of fouls committed by the Italians, and don't give the Germans set pieces and corners, because they are very big and they are very strong.
Germany's D is weak despite what people think. I think that one thing that may haunt them is Lahm. He plays so far up the pitch, if he's not smart he may get exposed. However, Italy's midfielders are slow and they are not a good counter team despite what the lakerman says. They want to control the pace and will take some chances when they are there but I am not impressed with Cassano and whoever else they will have at the front. Will Di Natali start? I do not know, and he is there 2nd best player.
Gigi Buffon is a stud and they feed off his energy and Pirlo's control. Schweinsteiger is still dealing with an injury but he should be good to go. Gomez/Klose up front are a deadly punch, with one coming off the bench. Podolski is very fast too and the Italian defense is above average.
The biggest reason why I like Germany is because of Ozil. I think this guy is the best player on the pitch by a mile and he will carve up Italy's defense. I see a lot of fouls committed by the Italians, and don't give the Germans set pieces and corners, because they are very big and they are very strong.
