“Sorry, Mexico! Today, we’re building the wall!” announced the front page of German Sunday broadsheet “WELT am Sonntag” ahead of Germany’s World Cup opener.
The message came coupled with an image of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in front of a bricked-up goal frame, complete with barbed wire, German flags and a small, confused Donald Trump caricature asking: “What? Germany first?”
Unlike the US President however, Neuer was depicted as “promising to tear the wall down again at full time” – but it wasn’t only the political joke which was somewhat controversial, as the front page also gave a false impression of Germany’s plans for the opening match against Mexico.
Of course, Joachim Löw is wary of Mexico’s strengths and spoke about Germany’s plan to “take all three forwards [likely Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano and Javier Hernandez], who are all strong in one-against-one situations, out of the game.”
But with Neuer now in full control of the number one jersey behind a settled back line of Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng and Jonas Hector, keeping the Mexicans out isn’t the main focus of the reigning champions’ plans.
Draxler and Werner lead the line
Rather, Germany are looking to get off the mark in a similar way to how they began in Brazil four years ago, where a 4-0 thrashing of ten-man Portugal set the tone for an ultimately victorious campaign – and so the questions in the build-up have all been about Germany’s front four.
In Timo Werner, the 22-year-old Red Bull Leipzig striker who has scored 21 goals in each of the last two seasons, Germany have an out-an-out goal-scorer leading the line. But who will make up the attacking three behind Werner?
Thomas Müller is as close to a guaranteed started as you’re likely to find, and Löw also took the unusual step of confirming that Julian Draxler will also start. The Paris Saint-Germain winger is a favourite of Löw’s and captained a young Germany side to victory at the Confederations Cup last summer.
“That captain’s role really brought him on at the Confed Cup in terms of his personality, his penetration and his professionalism,” said the 58-year-old head coach. “He can achieve big things at this tournament.”
Questionable front page from @welt this morning, both politically and tactically 🤨 #germex #worldcup
(via @alexpieter)
Özil or Reus?
Which leaves Mesut Özil and Marco Reus battling it out for that final spot.
Özil has had to deal with political controversy off the pitch and missed Germany’s final warm-up game against Saudi Arabia with a knee problem. But he has since been given the all-clear fitness-wise and remains a popular member of the squad, having featured in all 25 major tournament matches since 2010.
“People describe him a bit humourless but that’s far from the truth,” said Draxler. “He’s always happy in training with the team and he’s probably the most creative player we have.”
It would be a surprise to see Özil omitted but, equally, nobody would begrudge Marco Reus a place in the starting line-up. The injury-plagued Borussia Dortmund talisman is finally set to make his World Cup debut in Russia and has been described by Löw as “a special weapon” – but he may have to settle for a place on the bench initially.
Most of all though, Löw will be looking forward to letting the football do the talking. No more political controversies, no more tasteless newspaper headlines. It’s time for “Operation Titelverteidigung” (Operation Title Defence) to begin.
