Twitter
Advertisement

This German side has won a million hearts

Klinsmann has brought flair to the team, changed their entire approach to the game. This augurs well for football in the country.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Klinsmann has brought flair to the team, changed their entire approach to the game. This augurs well for football in the country.

The defeat to Italy was heart-breaking for Juergen Klinsmann and Germany after reaching so far. This German team was special in more ways than one. We have seen Germany in the past defending a lead of 1-0 and killing the game. But Klinsmann brought a new-look Germany to the tournament, which was so refreshing. They were brave, played attacking, flowing football, proved their critics wrong and endeared themselves to the hearts of the neutrals. Klinsmann’s side played the same way throughout the tournament, without once going into defensive mode, which was really good to see.

The whole of Germany should be proud of their team and feel positive about the future. They’ve won a millions hearts with their performance. I was never a German football fan myself, but after this tournament I am really looking forward to seeing them play again. They are a young side and before the start of the tournament, German papers had written them off without any chance in the tournament. However, with the first match, they changed that perception about them and gave hope to a whole nation. Klinsmann has brought flair to the team, changed the entire approach to the game which augurs well for football in the country.

It was always going to be difficult for them against the Italians, who are such a strong unit defensively. Italy are often negative, trying to kill off a game if they have the lead. They don’t try to entertain the crowds but concentrate on getting the results. On Tuesday, for most part of the match, it looked as if the Italians were happy to take the game in to extra-time or even penalties. But then they can catch the opposition off-guard on the counter. They can play good one-touch football if they want and can be extremely dangerous. And that’s what happened against Germany. But, it must be said that the Italians deserved to win. Boring or negative, Italy were the better side on Tuesday.

The Azzurri were unbreakable in defence and never looked like losing. And what do I say of their captain Fabio Cannavaro. He never has good matches, only great matches. Cannavaro is the best central defender in the world at the moment and I would pick him in my World XI with eyes closed. He defended like only he can and looked impenetrable.

Italy have scored 11 goals in the tournament so far and have had ten goalscorers, with Luca Toni being the only player scoring more than one goal. What it implies is that they have as good as ten goalscorers in the side and it isn’t just the forwards who are expected to get a goal. They aren’t a team of individual brilliance but of XI individuals who are brilliant collectively.

At the time of writing this, Italy’s opposition in the finals is yet to be decided. It could either be France or Portugal. Who’d lift the trophy in the finals? My heart says France but the head insists it’s going to be Italy.

(Bhaichung Bhutia is the captain of the Indian football team)

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement