Didn’t know where to post this and noticed there isn’t a specific thread for the World Cup so thought I’d make one
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Arguably their 1998 squad was the worst given how superannuated some of their squad was, for exampleIs this the worst German WC squad in living memory?
Still a lot of very good players, but their best players are all quite long in the tooth (Kimmich excepted)
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Arguably their 1998 squad was the worst given how superannuated some of their squad was, for example
Lothar Matthaus - 37
Andreas Kopke - 36
Jurgen Klinsmann, Thomas Helmer - 33
Jurgen Kohler, Thomas Hassler, Ulf Kirsten, Olaf Marschall, Olaf Thon - 32
Stefan Reuter - 31
Oliver Bierhoff, Andreas Moller - 30
That's why German fans were genuinely surprised that they reached the 2002 final, given how low expectations were as they were blooding practically an entire squad
Possibly, but still plenty in midfield and attack - especially the Bayern axis.Is this the worst German WC squad in living memory?
Still a lot of very good players, but their best players are all quite long in the tooth (Kimmich excepted)
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It's the age-old issue in international football where a team tries to wring just that little too much out of the same core of players with no attention being paid to the continuity of the squad - which was fatal to Germany in 1998 as Matthias Sammer had to retire due to injury prior to the tournament in spite being a major component in the teamFair comment though the quality of the likes of Matthaus, Klinsmann, Kohler and Moller was of the highest order.
Alderweireld and Vertonghen both in the Belgium squad
Maddison definitely well deserved, shame he'll likely only get about two five-minute cameos, far too creative and attacking for Southgate's liking.
Rashford played well tonight and pace and versatility are useful, especially off the bench. Probably gave him the edge over Toney - as well as the experience of playing in tournaments.Dier, Maguire, Trent, Henderson and Rashford all very lucky, albeit Henderson is probably picked on the basis Phillips may not be 100%, even though he himself ain't a definite starter as I reckon Bellingham and Rice will be the spine in midfield.
Maddison definitely well deserved, shame he'll likely only get about two five-minute cameos, far too creative and attacking for Southgate's liking.
Tomori and Toney very (very) unfortunate.