FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°14

Germany’s bid for a fourth World Cup title with a squad that many critics claim is already over the hill faces a tough opening test against the United States here on Monday. If history and tradition count for anything it should be a stroll in the Parc des Princes for the European champions against an American side that has lost seven of the last 10 games it has played in Europe.

The reality however is likely to be a little tougher for Berti Vogts men. Since reaching the second round of the last World Cup, the Americans have acquired much greater strength in depth and under coach Steve Sampson have developed a playing system that is extremely effective at stifling more talented opposition.

A 1-0 win over Brazil in the Gold Cup in February stands as a warning to Germany or any other members of football’s aristocracy that Sampson’s young squad is not to be underestimated.

Not that the US coach is complaining about his men being treated as the underdogs. ” That suits me fine because it means that all the pressure is on Germany, “ he said. ” They are the ones who have got everything to lose. “

Neither Vogts nor Sampson were planning to announce their teams until the last possible minute. But Sampson has not made any secret of his intention to deploy a 3-6-1 formation in a bid to pack the midfield and ensure that the likes of Andreas Moller and Thomas Hassler are not allowed to ply their deadly trade. His biggest selection dilemma is over who to deploy as the solitary front-man.

Eric Wynalda, the top international scorer in US soccer history, is still not fully fit after a knee operation in April. But he still represents the Americans’ best chance of snatching a goal and could well start. Alternatively Sampson has the option of fielding Roy Wegerle or Brian McBride in the role. Both are better than Wynalda at helping out defensively but they lack his capacity to turn a match with a spark of genius.

Despite being rivals for the same jersey, the three strikers remain firm friends-a fact that underlines the strength of the American team spirit which Sampson feels could help them spring a surprise. In contrast, Vogts has had to issue a formal edict banning his players from feuding with each other. Internal squabbling was seen as a key reason for Germany’s failure to advance beyond the quarter-finals four years ago.

” We had the best players in 1994 but not the best team and for this tournament I have told them I don’t want to read in the press players having a go at each other, “ Vogts said. The biggest culprit in recent years has been former captain Lothar Matthaus, now 37, whom Vogts has recalled for what will be his fifth World Cup finals. ” He’s a strong personality but he’s the sort of player you need in pressure-situations like the World Cup, “ Vogts said.

Matthaus was booted out of the Germany team acrimoniously just before Euro 96 in England, after attacking Vogts and former Bayern Munich teammate Jurgen Klinsmann. If Matthaus plays, he will beat the record of 21 World Cup matches held by compatriot Uwe Seeler, Poland’s Wladyslaw Zmuda and Argentina’s Diego Maradona.

He will also be only the second player to have played in five finals after Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal, who played 11 games between 1950 and 1966. Close watchers of the German camp however were expecting another veteran Olaf Thon to start in the libero role that Matthaus, the midfield powerhouse in the 1990 Cup winning side, now occupies.