2014 FIFA World Cup: Group G (GER/POR/GHA/USA)

[Maex]

Granted I'm not German, have no connection to the team and don't cheer for them...but if I was Low and Lahm refused to play FB, I would've either left him off the WC roster and grabbed Schmelzer/Jung or sat him on the bench for every game until he agrees to playing either LB or RB.

He does not refuse to play FB, he only mentioned that he prefers to play in midfield, because that's basically what he did the whole season.

I don't know where the rumor that he refuses to play FB comes from.

[and1GS]

I think the only person who benefitted from Lahm's switch to his new position is Lahm himself. Everyone's praising his versatility and intelligence, but the way I see it, he went from being the best RB in the world to just another decent DM.

Loved his decision making at the 6 yard box. Take the shot or pass? **** both of those options, I'm going to do a drag back pass to Ghana.

[Maex]

I hope that you guys are aware, that this was one of Lahm's worst games ever. He rarely has a bad game, you could call it a black swan.

Expect Lahm to be normal Lahm in the next game again and that is a world class player.

[Foye]

I hope that you guys are aware, that this was one of Lahm's worst games ever. He rarely has a bad game, you could call it a black swan.

Expect Lahm to be normal Lahm in the next game again and that is a world class player.

He is not a world class player in defensive midfield. I don't know what anyone sees in him there. He does simply not have the physis to be a world class defensive midfielder. Simple as that.

[and1GS]

After that match, Asamoah Gyan is primed for his second big transfer to Sunderland following a World Cup. Gyan/Fletcher/Altidore tearing up the PL for years to come.

[Maex]

He is not a world class player in defensive midfield. I don't know what anyone sees in him there. He does simply not have the physis to be a world class defensive midfielder. Simple as that.

If world class or not, I think you would agree that this was one of Lahm's worst games this season.

I just don't think it is fair to judge Lahm in midfield based on a negative outliner, especially because his normal strength is, that he provides a ridiculous high consistency.

[Foye]

He is not a world class player in defensive midfield. I don't know what anyone sees in him there. He does simply not have the physis to be a world class defensive midfielder. Simple as that.

If world class or not, I think you would agree that this was one of Lahm's worst games this season.

I just don't think it is fair to judge Lahm in midfield based on a negative outliner, especially because his normal strength is, that he provides a ridiculous high consistency.

It was one of his worst games, yeah.

Still, I stand to the point you need at least one battleship in the DM and one who is taking the creative playmaker part. Lahm does neither exceptionally well. He can be creative but he's not as good at it as for example Schweinsteiger. Especially, for the lone #6 he is utterly unsuited if you ask me.

I get that Guardiola doesn't want to play that way but I never would've sold Gustavo who is an amazing destroyer.
Same with Martinez who gets far too little consideration @DM from Guardiola.

[Ted Lasso]

I think the only person who benefitted from Lahm's switch to his new position is Lahm himself. Everyone's praising his versatility and intelligence, but the way I see it, he went from being the best RB in the world to just another decent DM.

Bang on. Serious case of Pep outsmarting himself.

[High 5]

Do most fans support the suspension rule for two yellows? It seems harsh to me considering the inconsistency in calls and how precious every game is in this tournament.

[Merc_Porto]

[truth18]

USA USA USA

[and1GS]

How the hell's Portugal gonna win when Ronaldo's playing the wrong football man!?



2-0 to the USA. BOOK IT.

[whocurrz]

Do most fans support the suspension rule for two yellows? It seems harsh to me considering the inconsistency in calls and how precious every game is in this tournament.

Don't like it. If a guy gets suspended in the NBA for an important playoff game it's usually a highly egregious offense not cumulative judgement calls like fouls. And usually that requires some extensive review by the league. Yellows being reviewed and possibly downgraded like flagrants in the NBA could be a start to something. Ultimately a lame rule which doesn't allow a ton of leeway from often controversial refereeing and keeps the best players from deciding the game. Two thumbs down

[rcklsscognition]

The draw between Ghana and Germany was helpful for the US but they've got to do something with it tomorrow. Germany looks to be a tough test Thursday and it'd be nice to take care of business Sunday.

[TheKingofSting2]

I'd rather kiss my make believe sister than have a tie in sports.

and you post that in one group that hasn't had a tie

I can tell the future.

[Det the Threat]

If world class or not, I think you would agree that this was one of Lahm's worst games this season.

I just don't think it is fair to judge Lahm in midfield based on a negative outliner, especially because his normal strength is, that he provides a ridiculous high consistency.

No one's judging him just on that one.
It's just that he's not all that great at the defensive midfield position while being one of the best full backs on this planet.

And he was also showing those signs against Portugal, where he handed them posession at least twice in our own half during the first 20 minutes of that match.
He just doesn't have the skills to play at that position and with Khedira not being his old self(Kroos can't play the DM position, he's a tweener with huge weaknesses defensively), it's just too much for him to handle.

I really hope that Schweinsteiger will be ready to start or even play Kramer at that position, as long as we get Lahm back at the FB positions(I'd even play him at LB, if Boateng's ready to go on Thursday), cause we absolutely downgrade our possibilities given that we've got no offensive threats on the FB positions and therefore make it easy for opponents to defend us.

Also, Bayern won the CL last season because they played a guy like Martinez, who kept things together, behind Schweinsteiger.

[mappiah19]

Heh.. Columbia's celebrations were better, right?

Just beautiful.

I'm glad the real Ghana showed up on Saturday. Too bad we took the US for granted and didn't pounce on them.

[TheAdmiral]

It genuinely sucks that Klose will break the record of Ronaldo..

Anywho, here's a video showing all the goals that were scored during World Cup matches by both players:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTfMzuqOxg0[/youtube]

Cool facts:

Ronaldo's 15th goal was against Ghana in Germany.

Klose's 15th goal was against Ghana in Brazil.

[AKFO]

Heh.. Columbia's celebrations were better, right?

Just beautiful.

I'm glad the real Ghana showed up on Saturday. Too bad we took the US for granted and didn't pounce on them.

I don't think it's that we didn't take the U.S. for granted (aside from sleepwalking through the first 30 seconds). Ghana out shot them 21-8; had possession for most of the game. Although it sure did look like Ghana was the better team, sometimes the shots just don't go in. I think there is a good chance that the U.S. loses their next two games and we beat Portugal. The U.S. just did not look impressive at all last week.

[Point forward]

If we don't fix this "unforced turnover" crap, we are toast. Our entire defensive midfield, which is the fundament of our game, has the mental and physical (!) toughness of a folding chair. Lahm has been shaky vs POR and horrific vs GHA, with Kroos and Khedira getting mercilessly exposed vs GHA, too. Our offense cannot bail out our defense forever. Anyway, I am fine with the result, and also fine with either final group stage result:

If we pull through, we are in despite playing atrocious defense.
If we are eliminated, maybe Jogi will finally give up.