Monday, 21 June 2010

Germany vs Serbia

I watched the Thursday games on highlights, so can't really talk about them other than the fact that France looked even worse than vs Uruguay, even before all this strike nonsense.

Germany and Serbia was a fairly dramatic game that was refereed appallingly. Serbia's goal was a bit scrappy, Germany's quick movement and passing seemed far less penetrative against a deeper midfield and resolute defence, suggesting that the performance against Australia was as much to do with their failings.

Another ridiculous penalty conceeded by Serbia, and that rarity: a German missing from the spot. Podolski was, truth be told, fairly desperate all day, and Marin, who got a ton of space in the last twenty minutes, wasted several promising opportunities. Mario Gomez run of terrible cameos continued; Khedira and Schweinsteiger played well in midfield.

Serbia should get through the group now with a win against Australia. I expect the Germans to do enough to beat Ghana and get through, but they looked a shadow of the side they were in the first game, which was a shame.

At least Bastian Schweinsteiger continued to justify my praise of him: I would swap any of England's players for him at this point.

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