WORLD CUP 2014: FRANCE V. GERMANY IN REPEAT OF THE CLASSICS OF THE PAST

This World Cup has been so exciting that I did not even notice that only 8 matches separate us from its conclusion. Tomorrow two quarterfinals are to be played, the first one between  France and Germany, and in the second the hosts Brazil are taking on Colombia. On Saturday Argentina led by the great Leo Messi will meet Belgium and the Netherlands will attempt to finish off the modest Costa Rica in the last of the quarterfinals. Here is my prediction for France v. Germany:
Who does not remember the 1982 and 1986 semifinals between these teams, so deeply embedded in the World Cup mystic? Incidentally, the Germans were eventually victorious in both of them, notwithstanding the great French midfield quartet led by Michel Platini. Nowadays, the characteristics of these two teams are quite altered: while Germany have now more creative players who seem to have lost some of that German never die attitude, the French, who in the past relied on gallic flair, now have acquired more power and solidity in defense and midfield. Although Germany seem to have riches of talent, experienced in big tournaments coach and the pedigree, France, as coached astutely by Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup as a player in 1998, are a well balanced team. The defense, as I mentioned already, seems to be quite solid this time around. Goalkeeper Lloris is good on the line, however, he is more awkward when he comes out to high balls, notwithstanding some improvement in this area. Deschamps until now played three of his centre-halfs: Varance, Sakho and Koscielny. It appears that Varane and Koscielny will be paired against the Germans. Both are quite mobile and position themselves quite well, even though Varane is very young for a defender and relatively inexperienced, despite for playing for Real Madrid. Debuchy and Evra, playing as full-backs, are both experienced and solid enough notwithstanding Patrice Evra's decrease in mobility and erratic performance in the last season of English Premier League. In midfield France are so well balanced that I believe no team in this tournament can claim to be better. In two holding positions in midfield Deschamps utilizes Pogba and Matuidi, both powerful players, striking the ball very fiercely, yet at the same time able to creatively pass the ball into spaces in opponents penalty area. In front of them operate Cabaye, technical playmaker, employing sublime passes as well as long balls, and able to shoot from outside of the penalty area. On flanks Deschamps has technical wizard Valbuena and young Griezmann who usually cuts in from the left wing to score often. Griezman plays only when Deschamps utilizes one forward (Benzema), when the coach decides to employ two forwards, Benzema takes Griezman position on the left, whereas Giroud roams in the penalty area as the main forward.
The Germans in Neuer have the best goalkeeper in the world, however, he too often likes to leave the goal line, even the penalty area... The defense is a bit less solid than the French one, particularly if Hummels is absent. Should Hummels be fit, Joachim Low will play Mertesacker and Hummels in the middle, and Boateng and Howedes as full-backs. Both full-backs play usually as centre-hals in Bundesliga, and are quite awkward in going forward. If Hummels is unfit, Mustafi should play as right full-back whereas Boateng would join Mertesacker in the middle of defense. In midfield, it must be again Lahm with Schweinsteiger and Kroos. Each of them is capable of holding the ball as well as playmaking. As the offensive players, it probably will be again Ozil and Goetze on flanks, with Muller roaming in between the way he sees fit. There would be a lot of interchange of positions between theses three. Both teams appear to be quite even but Germans have better and larger bench, with Podolski, Schurle and old fox Klose ready to pounce on the French. The Germans should advance, but in no way I would be surprised if the French did.

Janusz Andrzejewski is New York City based attorney writing on legal and other important community topics. You can contact him by telephone (212)  634-4250 or through his e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com