Despite this being only the third time Germany and Japan play against each other (and the first two were friendlies), a lot of the players should know each other well, considering that most Germans and Japanese play in the Bundesliga (five starters and three subs for Japan, also Sakai has played in the BL several years ago).
Day 4: Morocco vs Croatia | Germany vs Japan | Spain vs Costa Rica | Belgium vs Canada
- Thread starter Samid
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According to the pre-match report I just read, Kamada seems to be their best player. And after reading posts from Japan fans on Reddit it seems like Mitoma is the player they are most excited about. But he's also on the bench..
Yeah because when they lose they get lambasted for "not being pragmatic"
Kovačić is so passive, he has everything, a good pass, technique, dribble but he so rarely looks forward and nearly always takes a safe option.
Mitoma is the one who just joined Brighton and looks quite good. Bit of a later bloomer like Trossard but he's quick and has very good technical ability
As long as you’ve got someone who can control the ball in tight areas it’s an asset, even if he plays the safe option it keeps things ticking over.
I’m surprised Kyogo Furahashi never got a call up but his Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda did and starts up front for them today. He doesn’t even play up front for Celtic.
I thought Mitoma was brilliant in a recent Brighton match. Excited to see more from him in World Cup. Kamada is very good. Kubo is also very highly rated and was actually in Real Madrid's academy. I've heard good things about Ito also but haven't seen much of him.
Yes, but sometimes you need those players to take the initiative. In any case him and Brozović were awful.
Just saw Gnabry's playing against a 36 year old left back... uh oh
3 Chelsea connections for Germany means they'll win 3-0.
Kamada currently is the most efficient scorer in Europe's top leagues, CL included, and that despite being a midfielder who rarely gets to score tap ins.
Who the feck are Raum and Schlotterbeck?
Attack looks good with Gnabry, Havertz and Musiala. Not sure if Muller is still doing well.
Attack looks good with Gnabry, Havertz and Musiala. Not sure if Muller is still doing well.
Good young defenders. Schlotterbeck is at Dortmund. Raum at Leipzig
He should actually bench Gündogan, and play Goretzka alongside Kimmich in Midfield.
If we get overrun today, nobody is going to be surprised
Schlotterbeck sounds like a no-bullshit leg-breaker of a midfielder with a buzzcut a massive cheekbones. I refuse to google the name to check if I'm right.
No idea why Germany are being slept on so much. Their team is quality and they have an excellent coach. Think before long they'll move Kimmich to right back and play Goretzka next to Gundogan and just have great balance throughout.
Schlotterbeck made the move from Freiburg to BVB this season. Been a bit hit or miss for him, especially a huge miss when playing city as Haaland scored that crazy goal. I fancy him, but he is a bit reckless at times. Bayern were interested, but Schlotterbeck said in an interview that he had already made a verbal agreement with BVB and didn't want to go back on that. I can respect that.
Winners of the U21 EURO 2021, currently playing for Leipzig (Raum) and Dortmund (Schlotterbeck)
For midfield balance fair - but wouldn't you have good balance with Goretzka next to Gundogan? Shouldn't matter today IMO. But moving Kimmich to right back addresses your weakest position and still leaves you with a top quality and balanced midfield.
Do it from here then? They don’t have to be out there.
Kimmich on RB won't happen - he hasn't played that position in ages, while Süle does play there regularly and doesn’t offer less balance there than Kimmich would.
We were linked to both in the summer
Another very nice sized crowd... Looks like Netherlands Senegal was the exception............
Come on Japan!
Japanese names look and sound great imo
Raum is good attacking left back. Schlotterbeck was the best cb in Bundesliga last season so Dortmund bought him in the summer
And so it begins...Musiala's path to becoming Germany's star player...
I know absolutely nothing about this Japan team- have they a decent chance against this German team?
Musiala looking lively as usual
Damn Maeda is rapid!
Ito is definitely quick
Yes, Germany definitely are favourites, but Japan have the skill and experience needed to hurt us when they get a chance
2018 german team was the worst german team I saw in world cups. It seems they are still in transition.
Japan looking a lively counter attacking side
That was poor by Japan, a mile offside
Oooooohhhh bad luck ffs
That was a rapid break
Got away with that one. Surely will wake the Germans up now.
Maeda is much faster than Rüdiger. Shame he didnt pay attention to the offside.