by LFC2007 » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:29 am
The Portugal - Germany game was a very good watch.
The difference between the two teams was clear however - the Germans were far more disciplined and competent at the back.
Portugal played some very fluent football, easy on the eye stuff. Bosingwa had plenty of joy on the right, putting in some good crosses, getting in behind the Germans - in doing so putting their defence under a different type of pressure which is more difficult to deal with. From this avenue Moutinho missed a golden opportunity, and on such chances rest the outcomes to games.
Germany scored with a free flowing, cut-throat move which was a joy to watch. The ball from Ballack to Podolski was exceptional, Podolski showed good strength to hold of Bosingwa - though he should never in a million years have let him get past him. Schweinsteiger made a great run having evaded Ferreira who was simply ball watching.
Germany's two headed goals were a consequence of unbelievably poor marking/anticipation/positioning/strength from the Portuguese defence. The first was embarrassing enough, the second compounded an all round shocking defensive performance. Mentally their defense and goalie were absent.
Elementary errors which just shouldn't happen in the Q/F's of a major tournament, once is bad enough but twice shows there's a fundamental problem.
It was a shame that a great game like was decided by a second set-piece howler.
Hopefully Scolari can install some of that absent-mindedness in the Chelsea defence.