Kazakhstan vs Germany: Match Day Briefing

October 12th, 2010 | by: Luke |

Kazakhstan will host Germany today at 1 p.m. Eastern time in what will be the final Group A qualifying match of this calendar year for the DFB 11. The match will air live on ESPN Deportes and will also stream at ESPN3.com

Soccer Learnings Not Glorious
There isn’t a lot of positive scouting one can do concerning Kazakhstan. In 3 matches, they have yet to score a goal. On Friday against Belgium, they managed just one shot on goal. Their best match probably came against Austria, where they held firm to a 0-0 score line until the closing moments of the match and ended up losing 2-0. Unless you’re a fan of the Kazakh or perhaps the Russian Premier League, you’ve probably never heard of any of the players either. There is however, one dual German-Kazakh player in the squad, midfielder Heinrich Schmidtgal. He will likely start on the left side of the midfield. Kazakhstan will also be without their first choice right back Alexander Kislitsyn who saw red against Belgium.

Özil available, Boateng out.
It looks like another episode of Heiko Westermann: Left Back as Jerome Boateng will miss this one with a gastrointestinal problem. With Schweinsteiger, Jansen and Grosskreutz already ruled out, it starts to become a thin bench for the Germans.

On the bright side, Mesut Özil will be available, after having been in doubt for this one over the course of the weekend. Still, Löw could decide to elevate Kroos into the Özil spot and give Christian Träsch a start alongside Khedira. I would expect the starting 11 to otherwise be unchanged.

*The match will take place in an enclosed arena with an artificial surface in the Kazakh capital, Astana. The enclosed arena is at least preferable, as evening temperatures are expected to dip into the high 30’s

*It’s the 2nd straight match for the German team in a city designated as a national capital in the 1990’s. Astana officially became the Kazakh capital in 1997.

*The German team waited until Monday to make the 5 hour flight to Kazakhstan. It’s definitely a case of get in, take care of business and get out. This will be the longest trip Germany is required to make for Euro 2012 qualifying.

Prediction
While I don’t see Germany immediately breaking down the hosts, I don’t think there will be 90 minutes of strong resistance. Look for Lukas Podolski to make amends for a sub-par performance in Berlin with a brace in Astana.
Kazakhstan 0:4 Germany

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Tomas

I absolutely HATE artificial turf!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mohamed-Ila/100000091270961 Мохамед Илья

I think Germany will have an easy game today. I really hope Joachim Loew give Marko Marin a start and rest Mesut Ozil. Seriously give that boy a rest.
Nick_GWCB

A shout out to Berti Vogt's and German teams of yesteryear. Berti Vogt's Azerbaijan has BEATEN Turkey 1-0. If Germany capitalizes today in Astana then Germany has quite a smooth silky road ahead.

Berti has really worked wonders (with Azerbaijan anyway) Quite a fantastic performance from the goalie and defense all over the pitch.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/GYVIID3JB6KUZHLOJ4AOWHQZN4 Jon

Gomez finally got a great goal and Podolski was fantastic with his run. not to mention Klose magic again. hopefully they will do great in BUNDESLIGA.
Nick_GWCB

Funny we won 3-0 and yet I am not too happy. Maybe the players thought this was a formality. The grass was artificial, but if they ever play like this for real against a proper team then we'll have problems.

Klose broke the ice yet again and came off slightly injured. I hope he stays fresh for four more years, because Cacau ain't up to it at all. Gomez finally got an interview after a classic central striker's goal. His German seemd better or has it been so long. Poldi true to form came alive and defers his critics another day. Still don't trust Westermann.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mohamed-Ila/100000091270961 Мохамед Илья

I do agree with you Nick. From my opinion, Germany's attacking system is not good enough. Although they scored many goals with this system but to me it is not good enough. I think they should have two strikers up front, just like in 2006. It was so solid. I hope Joachim Loew can change the attacking system. Anyway congratulations to Joachim Loew and his boys. Viel gluck Deutschland!!
Nick_GWCB

I actually think the system Germany plays now (basically the one that we have seen since the pre-World Cup friendlies) is MUCH more stable than any German system since 1996. Even though it was clear today that the team was half-asleep, they did not look like they could snap at any moment. We always have had problems with quick physical and direct playing teams, but lately you have the feeling that we will prevail anyway – the goals were coming sooner or later.

In fact, I would say we still have a kind of two striker system between the three of Poldi-Klose-Müller. Notice how Müller tends to saunter in to the center at every opportunity like against Turkey a move which created the first goal. Poldolski also managed this today in his goal.

Basically I think we need to keep developing and have a team where every player can have the technique and intelligence to play offensive combinations even the centerbacks. I think that's why Jogi loves Badstuber (and Tasci at one point) and explains why he has transitioned away from a true defensive midfielder in favor of two holding midfielders. Now I have to admit it this was a masterstroke on his part and some thought he was a bit crazy. Nonetheless, the sooner the likes of Westermann is purged from the team the better it will be because I honestly don't remember one game for Germany where he came out error-free.