FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°53
Germany’s efficient footballing machine will slam into top gear on Monday in the hope of accelerating past well-armed Mexico who are waiting to ambush their bid for a fourth World Cup title.
Captain Jurgen Klinsmann, whose goal against Iran was his 46th for Germany, said they were well aware of Mexico’s ability to counter punch but they had the quality and experience to win the second round tussle. ” We have learned lessons from our games against Yugoslavia and Iran and now it is all or nothing in the second round, “ he said. ” We are capable of moving up a gear and we can beat any team here. “
Germany are famed for improving as the matches become tougher and have settled into a familiar style of play with the vastly-experienced Lothar Matthaus back in his normal sweeper role. The 37-year-old Matthaus, playing in his fifth World Cup and with a record number of appearances in the finals safely under his belt, dictated the pace of the game when he took over from Olaf Thon at the back against Iran.
That move put Thon’s nose firmly out of joint and he has demanded a showdown meeting with coach Bertie Vogts but Matthaus will hold onto the position against Mexico. Vogts, troubled by suggestions that they should quit the tournament because of violence by German hooligans and unhappy at the 2-2 draw with Yugoslavia, is in a happier frame of mind now that Matthaus, Germany’s prodigal son, is back where the pundits believe he belongs. ” Not everything has been perfect in the first round but we are on our way, “ said Vogts, who booted Matthaus out of the Euro 96 squad after the Bayern Munich star criticised the coach. ” Pulling off Thon and playing Matthaus deeper seemed to work against Iran. “
With Klinsmann and striking partner Oliver Bierhoff, scorer of the golden goal that won Germany the Euro 96 title, both hitting the target in the win over Iran the attack force also looks primed for action.
Mexico, who make up for a lack of quality with tremendous spirit, came from behind three times to achieve the results that secured second spot in group E and have developed a jaunty air of invincibility. Poor warm-up results saw the team dubbed the ” Tritanic “, after the tricoloured national flag, but upbeat coach Manuel Lapuente has come up with a new sailing analogy. ” From now on we want to be seen as Columbus’ three small ships about to come into port, “ he said.
The good ship Mexico is being guided by striker Luis Hernandez, scorer of three goals in group play, and super-substitute Ricardo Pelaez. Hernandez, nicknamed ‘El Matador’, scored twice against 10-man South Korea in the opening game and grabbed the injury-time equaliser in Mexico’s 2-2 draw with Holland. Pelaez has the best strike rate at the World Cup. He came off the bench to score against both South Korea and Holland and has an average of one goal for every 40 minutes he has played. Germany will also have to be mindful of the unorthodox Cuauhtemoc Blanco whose trademark ‘bounce’ trick took him past a bemused South Korean defence and acrobatic qualities brought him a goal in the 2-2 draw with Belgium.
” We have the players to unlock the German defence but I have limitless respect for the opposition. I admire their force and strength, “ said Lapuente. ” We will play to our limit and they will have to work very hard to beat us. “ Lapuente said they would miss the presence of midfielder Ramon Ramirez, suspended after being sent off against Holland in the the last minute. Defender Pavel Pardo is available for selection after sitting out a one-match ban.
Mexico will also have revenge on their minds in Montpellier. Germany beat them 6-0 in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and, more painfully, secured a 4-1 victory on penalties in the quarter-finals of the 1986 tournament played in Mexico. ” Talk of revenge is all part of the pre-match hype, “ said Lapuente. ” What we really want is to go forward to the next round. “