Now the pressure is all on Mario Gomez. Let’s hope this guy does not show up…

Germany’s top striker, Miroslav Klose, injured his right ankle this weekend playing for FC Bayern in the Bundesliga. He will almost certainly miss Germany’s next two World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales. How long Klose will be out is as of yet undetermined. The injury leaves Bayern with only one fit striker in Lukas Podolski. The Nationalelf will also miss Klose’s services as the team has never lost a match in which he scored. Best wishes to Miro for a full recovery to his recently stellar form.

Indeed Germany ends the year with a good foundation for 2009 and the rest of the qualification campaign.

With the strong international debut of Rene Adler, Germany has a worthy No. 1 keeper for 2010. (Oliver Kahn thinks so.) In midfield Trochowski has finally lived up to his potential with a string of solid performances and has undoubtedly solidified his standing as a permanent fixture in the Nationalelf. Bastian Schweinsteiger is also continuing his motivated contributions demonstrated by his overall world-class interplay, an excellent assist against Russia, and his constant danger against Wales. Not to be outdone, Michael Ballack has returned from injury (and is injured again) to demonstrate his continued importance to the team. With the blood-letting in attack, Germany has come closer to resolving its striker problems. A strong showing from both Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose against Russia was complemented with promising signs from Mario Gomez and Patrick Helmes. In defense Per Mertesacker, who provided a crucial block against Wales, is closer to regaining his full form and Phillip Lahm is continuing to show his attacking prowess and defensive awareness down the flanks.

Of course some problems persist and must be corrected before Germany is ready for 2010, and realistically automatic qualification.

First, the headaches in defense continue. Lahm is prone to the odd and costly mistake, but in reality he is being overworked in defense. Without Marcell Jansen, Lahm must play every crucial Germany (and Bayern) match and this can not help his overall fitness. Lahm looked tired near the end against Wales and was beaten on the right-side of the pitch for a critical moment. Of course Lahm made a last-ditch effort whereas the actual right-back Clemens Fritz (out of position and also to blame) had done little to hinder the Welsh counter. Arne Friedrich did better than Fritz before being substituted but was at times also unable to close the defensive gap. Similarly Heiko Westermann (despite his improvement) needs more experience as his defensive positioning and decision making (notably against Russia) has been sub-standard.

With Keivn Kurányi’s shameful departure it seems the solution has been found to Germany’s attack rotation. The question remains though how consistent Klose and even Podolski can be. Helmes does look promising but wasted some clear opportunities against Wales. Gomez (now more of a threat) is on the other hand still missing the form he has at club level.

Finally, in midfield Germany needs a defensive midfielder who can control difficult situations when the attack is lethargic or the defense is vulnerable. So far this has been Lahm’s job. Simon Rolfes has not been given enough time to play and Torsten Frings due to injury (and perhaps now through sulking) has also been sitting on the bench. Thomas Hitzlsperger has not been criticized for his performances (limited to the occasional wide-non-goal and passing ball) but he is clearly not comfortable in his position. Whenever the tide turns against Germany, Hitzlsperger looks a tad helpless. Indeed when the odds are against Germany and open to a decisive counter-attack (remember that only loss in Dortmund), we need more than just another passer. We need a Dietmar Hamann of 2005 AC-Milan beating vintage. Indeed we are missing someone who can consistently marshal and anchor the inexperienced defense. For the moment Frings (like Ballack) can only come up older and more injury prone.

Luckily on all fronts there is hope primarily from the youth setup. We have contenders, alternatives, and replacements. Not to mention yet another world-class goalie in Manuel Neuer.

Fabio Capello has decided to field promising youngsters for the friendly in Berlin. Let’s hope Jogi Löw does the same.

Afterall we will field a half fit Torsten Frings (fractured rib) and a half fit Michael Ballack (something with his calf) and should Ballack not be able to play on, we are faced with an early substitution. Look at it whichever way you want.

Germany captain Michael Ballack is doubtful for Sunday’s Euro 2008 final against Spain because of an injury to his right calf, the German Football Association (DFB) said on its website (www.dfb.de) on Saturday.

Ballack missed training on Friday back at the team’s base in Tenero and he was unable to join the eve-of-match session at the stadium in Vienna on Saturday.

The DFB said the question of whether he could play was “fully open” with just over 24 hours to go before the final. – Reuters

What to make of it? It surely isn’t a cynical mind game ahead of the final so we should hope for a quick recovery. Otherwise we have at least an easy excuse should Germany lose the final. Who would you add to the squad to replace him? Should Jogi Löw stick to 4-2-3-1 or adapt yet again?

Some members of the team are currently suffering with injuries. Keeper Rene Adler has a pelvic contusion, Philipp Lahm has a slight calf strain, Tim Borowski is still suffering with gastro-intestinal flu and Mario Gomez is having small muscle problems. Gomez and Lahm will surely be okay in time for the matches. I’m not sure what the recovery time is for Adler.

“Injuries are never welcomed, and I was pretty disappointed at first. But what can you do about it? I will try to return for the remainder of the season as soon as possible”, said Gomez.

Gomez scored two goals and had an assist in Germany’s 4-0 victory over Switzerland.  If he gets healthy, he very well may be a part of the National team for the EURO 08 games.