Germany Squad Report: The final in Rio against Argentina

The team trained yesterday in the Estádio Vasco da Gama, as FIFA wanted to ensure the pitch at the Maracana was in good shape ahead of the final today. Today the team will wake up, have breakfast, work out, then have a 12:30 lunch followed by a team meeting just before 2:00 PM local time, before travelling to the Maracana for the game of their lives.

One likes to imagine the team asleep in bed, calm as can be before today’s final. Yet no doubt some had trouble sleeping, knowing this is their one chance to lift the most esteemed trophy in all sport.

No matter what happens, German football is in a better place than it has been at any time since 1990—perhaps in the history of the program. Coach Jogi Löw spoke to that in a press conference yesterday:

“We have players right now who are playing at their peak, but we have young players also in the squad and others who aren’t even here. Players with a fantastic future: Gündogan, Reus, Özil, Schürrle, Müller … they can go on to play for a number of years. We can play on top of the world for a good few years yet, with some young players coming in to reinforce the team.

“I believe we, as a team, have matured. Over the last few months, we’ve shown what we can do and how well we can play. In the last few years we have been marching forward. Even if we are defeated in the final, which I don’t think will happen, nothing will crumble. This team, and German football, does have a future. I see no problems ahead. ”

One need only to glance at the starting XI for Germany the last time the team were in a World Cup final in 2002 to see what Löw is talking about. 

Carsten Ramelow in next to Thomas Linke and Christoph Metzelder. Marco Bode in the wing in a midfield with Torsten Frings and Dietmar Hamann. Oliver Neuville and Miroslav Klose partnered up front with Bernd Schneider. Good, respectable players. But not nearly in the same league as the current crop, nor even the same league as their winning opponents that final—Cafu, Kleberson, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho.

A single, 90 minute (or 120 minute) match result won’t change that. But another star on the shirt would make the point nicely...Die Nationalmannschaft isn’t going anywhere, and indeed, hasn’t gone anywhere for the last eight years.

Fixtures/Results

Group G — June 16 — Germany 4-0 Portugal

Group G — June 22 — Germany 2-2 Ghana

Group G — June 26 — United States 0-1 Germany

Round of 16 — June 30 — Germany 2-1  Algeria aet.

Quarterfinal — July 4 — France 0-1 Germany

Semifinal — July 8 — Brazil 1-7 Germany

Final — July 13 — Germany vs. Argentina

Squad News/Rumors/Injury Report

DF Mats Hummels still not 100% certain for today’s match.

Five Quick Notes

1. Miguel Delaney on the contrasting moods in both team camps ahead of the final today.

2. Alejandro Sabella says Argentina need to be perfect to beat Germany.

3. Omens on the side of Germany for the final, writes Jason Burt.

4. Germany Argentina a clash of styles, writes Michael Caley.

5. Christ the Redeemer lit up in German colours: