This morning, the much-anticipated pinnacle match of Group F of the European Cup, Portugal VS Germany, started, which caused a lot of discussion. In the end, Deutsche Chariot had the last laugh. They used their efficient and concise play style and the advantages of the two wings to win the game. The 4-2 reversal was somewhat "unexpected". There were many surprises in this game. The German team played their old self, but Portugal encountered many problems that needed to be solved and dealt with as soon as possible.

Starting: stick to yourself, Loew will not change the formation

Before the official start of this cup, the traditional giant German team did encounter many problems, Loew has also confirmed He will no longer be the coach after the game. Coupled with the huge controversy caused by his submission of the team roster and the conflicts created by the use of veteran issues, the prospects of this team seem a bit bleak. They lost 0-1 to France in the first game, and the outside world became even more pessimistic about this "regular member of the top eight". There were constant calls for him to adjust.

The second game against Germany can be said to be a "life and death battle". However, Loew did not question his formation at all and still adopted the same arrangement as the previous game. Hummels-Ginter- Rudiger partnered in the defense, and Kimmich was assigned to the left wing-back accordingly. Muller and Havertz stood at the waist to assist the forward Gnabry.

After getting the starting lineup, many people were very worried about Loew's arrangements. After all, the team's problems were exposed a lot in the last game. This time it was against the defending champion again. Losing would mean going home. . However, after the game started, the team showed something completely different from what they played on. This was also a key factor in their ability to win the game. It seems that Loew believes in himself and "made the right bet."

Frequent accidents determine the tone of the game

Surprise 1: Germany had the advantage, but Portugal scored first

The German team has always been tough and offensive in style. It is decisive and efficient and stands firm in world football, so it is also called a chariot by the outside world. However, in recent years, they have suffered from the impact of forward weakness, which has led to the team's efficiency on the wing being compromised. This is also an important reason why they did not break the French team's goal in the first game.

However, this is not the case here. After the opening, the German team took full advantage of the combination of wing and center, organized by Muller, driving the left and right wings forward, and the rhythm was very precise. In the 4th minute, Gosens scored thanks to the team's kick from the right. Unfortunately, the team committed a foul before (Mueller's handball), and Gnabry was also suspected of being offside (participating in the attack in front of the goal). But this still gives people hope.

After testing each other at the beginning, the German team began to take advantage. This was completely different from the dull scene in the first game against France. Havertz, Gnabry, Muller and others were all very active. In the 15th minute, they organized a large-scale suppression and a series of attacks almost changed the score. Unexpectedly, after the Germans pressed forward across the board, a big vacuum appeared in the defense. Portugal's Bernardo Silva ran wildly at high speed after receiving the ball. He returned the unmarked Ronaldo and randomly shot an empty goal to change the situation.

This accident instantly silenced Germany's offense and changed Portugal's disadvantage on the field. Combined with the performance of the 3-0 victory over Hungary in the first game, it can be seen that the power of the Trident is indeed very strong. They will be an important helper for Portugal to go further in this season's cup competition.

Surprise 2: Ineffective attack organization, magic ball saved the tank

The Germans, who originally had the advantage, were somewhat confused by the Portuguese team's counterattack storm.

After taking the lead in Portugal, Germany did not dare to press forward across the board. After all, their opponents would retreat to the defense intentionally or unintentionally. After all, their counterattacks were extremely fast. This resulted in 15-30 minutes in which both sides were attacking and defending but had few opportunities.

Muller is the commander of the chariot. He worked very hard during this period. It is obvious that he wants to bring the team together and fully exert their joint strength. However, it backfires and lacks an absolute strong point. Exposed again. In the 34th minute, Muller even waved his hands to signal his teammates to move after getting the ball on the right wing, quite like a college student playing in a primary school league and directing them.

Hot zone map of Muller, Gosens and Kimmich

However, what was unexpected was that this opportunity, which was not an opportunity, brought the two teams back to the score. draw. After Muller passed the ball, Kimmich completed a precise pass. Gosens, who was in the back, directly met the ball and volleyed it. The center back Dias, who was responsible for defending Havertz in the middle, had no time to react and accidentally kicked the ball in. Own door, 1-1. The score was evened.

Unexpected 3: An own goal can make a pair, Portugal "helps" Germany to find itself

After being "accidentally" equalized the score, the mentality of both sides obviously became "polarized". The German team has regained its form at the start of the game, while Portugal is a bit confused and has not yet reacted. Just 3 minutes later, they were suppressed again by their opponents, this time organizing the offense from the wing.

After observing the movement of his teammates, Thomas Muller picked the ball behind him. Although the first time failed, the second pass was still completed. After the Portuguese central defender was collectively lost, Havertz got the opportunity to meet the goalkeeper alone. Although Patricio tried his best to complete the first block, Kimmich's sweep towards the center still gave Portugal another own goal. 2-1, Germany completed the lead. It's really surprising that Oolong can be paired.

After this goal, the situation on the field was completely clear. The German team's offensive continued unabated and scored two more goals to seal the victory.

Outcome: When "frontless formation" encounters "slow reaction"

In this game, the German team's combination of wing and center can be said to be highly efficient, and they also perfectly avoided it. The constraints caused by the no-front problem are eliminated. Compared with the first game, the reason why they were able to find themselves in the second round was due to Muller's performance in addition to the "unexpected" factors mentioned above.

Although there were no goals or assists, the value of the veteran cannot be ignored. The movements and movements of the left and right wings are almost all completed under the command of Muller. He is the absolute commander and should be the MVP winner who performed the best in this game.

In the first goal, Muller’s command allowed the wing to complete the connection; in the second goal, after Muller’s hanging, the Portuguese defense was instantly defeated; a counterattack was launched before half-time. , he and Gnabry still posed a huge threat with fewer enemies and more opponents; for the third goal, Muller's position in the middle led to a combination of wing and center, giving Gosens a fatal side separation, which also allowed the team to The fundamental guarantee of scoring; the fourth goal was another result of his active fighting, which allowed the offensive to continue.

Of course, the value of teamwork among teammates cannot be denied. Compared with the misfire against France, Gosens and Kimmich performed wonderfully in this game, and also contributed goals and assists. Their frequent set-ups and crazy pursuits ensured that Germany could have both offense and defense. , or it can be re-stabilized after an "accident" occurs. After the game, the two were evenly matched, which was much improved compared to the first round against France.

In contrast, the Portuguese team's performance on both sides was disastrous. Both Semedo and Guerrero failed in their post-match ratings. They were beaten by their opponents many times and also encountered embarrassing moments of own-goals.

After Cancelo was forced to withdraw from the national team, Semedo seemed to be unqualified at the top. His all-round attributes were not used, but his weaknesses were crazily targeted by opponents. The cooperation with Silva in front of him is not very tacit. It seems that the Portuguese coach should consider this issue carefully.

In addition to the wing issues, the slow collective reaction of the Portuguese central defender and midfielder is also a major hidden danger. If the first goal conceded was excusable, then when the German team pressed for the second goal, Portugal only had 4 central defenders left in the penalty area, while the German team had 5 attackers, which was a bit unjustifiable. This exaggerated comparison is enough to illustrate the seriousness of the problem.

The numerical gap

Portugal’s defense was compressed by the Germans

It is impossible to avoid Pepe’s aging and functional deterioration. Although he works very hard, It can be seen that it is still a bit slow to fight against the opponent's N young players. In addition, the German team mainly plays a forward-less formation, and there are already an uncertain number of players. Multiple players continue to attack the Portuguese goal frequently and non-stop, which will also make it more difficult for the central defender.

Coupled with the poor protection of the midfielder, it is also an important reason for the slow reaction of the Portuguese central defender to be magnified. Pereira and Carvalho, who started the game, are in good health and are very active in tackling, but their speed is relatively slow, and they have problems in chasing back. It is impossible for the Trident to participate too much in defense, so it is inevitable to use less to attack more locally.

The personal position of the midfielder at the goal moment was really confusing

Didn’t keep up with the rhythm

In fact, Portugal had already exposed this problem in the first game , if the Hungarian team’s goal was not offside, the result of the game may be difficult to say. In the next game, the Portuguese team must think carefully about this issue.

The frenzied harassment-style non-stop attack without a front line, and Portugal's slow reaction, the result is naturally conceivable, and it is no longer surprising that they were scored 4 goals.

Who can qualify in the crazy group

Of course, the German team that came back is not perfect, and their central defender also has many problems. For example, in the first goal conceded, when the opponent counterattacked quickly, their three central defenders swung back and forth, not knowing who they should be marking or which area they were responsible for, resulting in a long pass being penetrated. Rudiger's mistake at the last moment was also frightening to watch. In addition, when facing the next opponent, their forward-less formation will continue to be tested, and it is impossible for too many "accidents" to happen in every game.

The problems of the Portuguese team are more obvious, and are also discussed in detail above. For them, losing does not require too much interpretation. After winning the first game, there is still hope of promotion. The status of the Trident is online, which is a guarantee of their confidence. As long as Ronaldo is there, there is hope.

After this battle, the difference between the top and the bottom of the death group is only 3 points. It is really hard to say who will qualify. The decisive battle in the final round will be the decisive moment of fate, and it is worth looking forward to!

(Li Pengpeng)