Group Overview
Cam (@CamB_PerSources):
A group headlined with the former World Champions will draw intrigue for all to see. The Germans will be drawn with CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea. Sweden and South Korea finished 2nd in the qualifying group with Sweden advancing through a playoff. A playoff in which the Swede’s eliminated former champions Italy. Organized defensively, Sweden will have an organized back line with RB Lepizig’s Emil Forsberg providing the creativity from midfield. South Korea have the dynamic Heung-Min Son to rely on. The Spurs midfielder will lead the helm as a front striker but will need his teammates to help create chances in a very difficult group for the Koreans. Mexico will battle the pervious mentioned teams for the final knockout stage spot. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez will lead the front line with Hector Herrera stabilizing the midfield. This Mexican squad has an appropriate mix of youth and experience that can challenge any side. Hirving Lozano could be for the X-Factor for El Tre as the pacey winger can play on both sides of field. His ability to cut in and score or go down the line and cross will scare any defense. Lozano has had big clubs circling him since his move to PSV and helping his team to an Eredivisie title. However, this Group is all about Germany. The four-time World Cup winners are favorites to get out of group and advance at least to the semifinals. Experience remains from the 2014 winning squad including Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Manuel Neuer and many more. The group come down to Sweden and Mexico because of their solid defenses to challenge for the final spot. In the end, Sweden can lock up on defense when necessary. The German will top the group followed by Sweden.
James : (@PerSources_JP )
This group features the World Champions in Germany and arguably the best country from both Asia and CONCACAF. South Korea and Mexico will both pose threats to Germany but in the end will likely have to duke it for third place. Sweden, who squeaked by Italy in a UEFA qualifying playoff, will be the side the other teams will look to bank on getting three points from. Even with a couple of shock omissions from the German squad, namely Leroy Sane, Die Mannschaft will be favored to win the group and progress to a 5th straight World Cup semi-final.
Martin 2.0: (@Mtz_persources)
The Germans will being their quest for a back to back title facing Mexico June 17th. Great amount of people are calling the “Group of Death”. I don’t believe this group will be harder than any other group. Sweden’s playing style is defending the ball and watching their qualification game vs. Italy. There weren’t many attacking opportunities they created in either leg. While Sweden being the biggest hoax team in this tournament, I believe Germany isn’t far from them. Italy and Spain won the World Cup in 2006 and 2010 respectively and didn’t move on out of the group stage the following World Cup. With Leroy Sane being left out Germany roster for the World Cup, the Germans might struggle attacking the ball. I don’t think they will be left out the knockout stage with so much talent. They will turn around their woes but I do think they won’t win the Group. There’s a great possibility they will drop the first game vs. Mexico. Juan Carlos Osorio has arguably the best Mexican talent he ever had for a tournament. He would compete well and probably over strategies Joachim Low. Mexico would be a team to watch all tournament long.
Tincho (@MP_persources):
In my eyes, the group of death. The reigning World Cup champions and arguably the best team in the World, an attack-friendly Mexican side, a surprising, Zlatan-less Sweden and an entertaining South Korea. Overall, based off characteristics and playing styles, I believe that this is the most balanced out group in the entire tournament. Germany should win the group but second place is very much up for grabs.
Players To Watch
James: Son Heung-Min
The South Korean’s have a strong chance to knock off Mexico and finish 2nd in this group. For that to happen, Son will have to be in good form. He’s coming off consecutive seasons for Tottenham will double-digit goal tallies and six assists in each of the last two campaigns. In that Spurs side he is certainly not the main man but rather part a supporting cast to Harry Kane with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. The pressure will certainly be on Son to lead South Korea’s front line to get his side into the knockout round of the World Cup.
Tincho: Mesut Ozil
The German playmaker seems to take his level up a notch whenever he puts on a Germany jersey. He will most likely play as more of a 10 in front of Kroos and Khedira. A position which to me, fits Ozil a lot better because it allows him to get more involved with the game with a lot more space to work. In the past, we’ve seen that one of Mexico’s most alarming weaknesses is the defensive line. They consistently leave openings in between the lines, struggle with holding a line and often have miscommunications in the back. At the same time, if Sweden decides to have a much more defensive approach, Germany will require a bit of creativity to break the lines. I don’t think Ozil is the best player in the group nor will he be the revelation of the group but his strengths will help expose their opponents’ weaknesses.
Martin 2.0: Irving “el Chucky” Lozano
The Mexican winger could become the star of the tournament by showcasing his skills all summer long. The Pachuca product played his first season at PSV. He didn’t show any signs of struggle in an european lLeague scoring 17 goals in 29 appearances. The rising star will most likely start all games for Mexico depending on Osorio’s Formation. He has been linked to the Premier League with the likes of Chelsea and Everton. If he plays well there’s no doubt he will make a move to England. Although there’s been history of Eredivisie players struggling in the Premier League, “El Chucky” will quickly adapt where he goes.
Cam: Manuel Neuer
The Bayern Munich shot stopper only suited up three times for his club after battling a reoccurring foot injury. On his day, Neuer is considered one of the top goals in the world, many see him as the best. Neuer has seemed to recover just in time for Russia 2018 but questions still remain if Neuer will be fully fit. Joachim Low has the option to go with his Gold Glove goalkeeper from the last world cup or move in a different direction. Marc-Andre ter Stegan has solidified himself as a top goalkeeper in Europe with his performances with Barcelona. Ter Stegan was the goalie that led a young Germany team to the 2017 Confederations Cup victory. If Joachim Low does decide to take Neuer to Russia, the Germany Captain should but 100% fitness and would be expected to play all Games available. With Neuer on the field, Germany could be tournament favorites, with him off the field Diemanschaft are just another team with a shot at the prize.
Biggest Concerns:
Tincho: Manuel Neuer in goal and Mexico’s inconsistent lineups
Neuer In Goal: It appears as if Manuel Neuer will be the starting keeper for Germany this summer despite missing the entire season. He’s played just one friendly since September 2017 and lacks consistent minutes leading into the biggest tournament in the World. Back-up keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen had the best season of his career with Barcelona thus putting himself in the argument for best keeper in the World. However, Neuer is the captain of the team and still No. 1 in the World when healthy. However, his lack of minutes will affect his sharpness during key moments of the game. Germany hopes that Neuer gains match rhythm as the tournament progresses but choosing a keeper who hasn’t played all season over arguably a top three keeper in the World seems like a huge risk to me.
Mexico’s Inconsistent Lineups :Juan Carlos Osorio is a man who loves to make changes to his lineup. The Colombian loves to rotate players out of position and plays them out of their comfort zone as a way to accommodate to his game plan. We’ve seen this affect Mexico in other instances under Osorio but the World Cup is a different story. In a group so heavenly matched, all three games are crucial. Continuity in the lineup is required for a team to get comfortable with each other going forward.
Martin 2.0: Germany
The Germans will have a big amount of pressure for the World Cup. Knowing the talent they have there’s no doubt they can ride far in the tournament but could be surprising if they get kicked out as early in the Round of 16. There could be a lack of communication among the players and Manuel Neuer likely to ride the bench they will be big shoes to fill as the captain of the team.
James: Curse of the Reigning Champions
Three of the four champions from 1998-2010 have fallen victim to this curse. The curse, that is, that they failed to get out of the group of the next World Cup. France won in 1998, and didn’t get through the group stage in 2002. Italy, winners in 2006, was only able to gather two points in South Africa at the 2010 tournament. Winners from 2010, Spain, infamously got annihilated by the Netherlands in the opening group game in 2014 and followed that with a loss to Chile en route to an earlier than expected trip home.
Most believe Germany, 2014 World Champions, won’t fall victim to the same curse. However, they don’t have a cakewalk of a group either as previously discussed. Manuel Neuer, recently named captain, will be expected to be at his “best in the world” form after having an 8-month injury lay off. His return to the national team isn’t off to a good start following a 2-1 defeat to Austria in a recent pre-tournament friendly.
