Germany lackluster in 2-2 draw against Cameroon

On their day, Germany are capable of playing some of the most scintillating football on the planet. With players like Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze marauding around the pitch, it's no surprise.

Sunday was not one of those days, though.

Manager Joachim Loew will be less than impressed by his side, who were positively sub-par against fellow World Cup hopefuls Cameroon, drawing 2-2 at Borussia-Park.

After a promising burst in the opening minutes, the hosts were unable to generate the opportunities that were expected coming into the game.

We can only hope so.

The Goals

GOAL! Samuel Eto'o (CAM) 62nd min. He may be 800 years old (read, 33) but Jose Mourinho's newest enemy continues to score goals at the highest level. Physically, he may not be what he was in his heyday, but his instincts are still there, as displayed by the way he pips Mats Hummels to the ball for the opening goal of the match.

GOAL! Thomas Muller (GER) 66th min. The Bayern Munich man always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Germany may be lacking true, traditional strikers, but Muller is versatile enough to make that point moot.

GOAL! Andre Schürrle (GER) 71st min. Speed kills, and Germany have plenty of it, particularly in wide areas. That said, we'll revisit this particular goal in a moment.

GOAL! Maxim Choupo-Moting (CAM) 78th min. Great strike, but Jerome Boateng will not enjoy watching this one again when the team breaks down the film of this match. Close the attacker down, perhaps?

The Controversy 

Lukas Podolski made a powerful run down the left wing to set up Premier League peer André Schürrle for the go-ahead goal, finding himself in acres of space out wide.

How could he be so open? 

Well, the fact that he was clearly offside may have something to do with it.

[Courtesy @GoalsAndMore]

The Takeaway

Germany have one of the deepest teams in the world, rife with talent in each and every position. 

But for all of the ogling at the squad, the country will not be celebrating a fourth World Cup title in just over a month's time unless a trio of players return.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (shoulder), captain and versatility-incarnate Philipp Lahm and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) all missed the contest, and are running out of time to regain full fitness.

They will be included in the final 23-man squad, to be sure, but without them at their very best, it's hard to see Germany being able to get past their fellow tournament favorites when they start getting to the latter end of the competition.

Stray Observations

• Those German kits are fantastic.
• With highly-rated Schalke youngster Julian Draxler unable to get into the match, it is likely that Loew has already decided he will not be accompanying the team to Brazil.
• Jerome Boateng, almost assured of a place on the plane, will give German supporters fits. His cross for Muller's goal was great, but he ruined any goodwill he built up with his porous defending on the tying goal late in the game. Philipp Lahm can't return fast enough.
• If, for some reason you were in doubt, this post-match photo should act as a reminder that this was ultimately a meaningless friendly:

• Sami Khedira looked sharp for Germany, despite the fact that he has now appeared in just a handful after tearing his ACL and MCL back in November. If he has recovered fully from the devastating injury, he will play a significant role in Brazil.
• Mario Goetze began the match in a 'False 9' role, which could be the way Germany decide to start on June 16 against Portugal considering the uncertainty over Miroslav Klose - who dealt with a myriad of injuries this season and sat out today's contest.