Klose Draws Finland 3-3

Germany started qualification for the 2010 World Cup last week against Liechtenstein and Finland. Despite the generally positive results, Joachim Löw needs to quickly find the solutions to the problems that have been plaguing the German team since the Euro 2008 Final in Vienna.

1. There is a large hole in Germany’s defense. The defensive line looked suspect against Liechtenstein and was exposed against Finland. With Mertesacker injured, Metzelder slow, and Westermann visibly shaky, Löw must find or develop central defenders who can make their presence felt. He also needs more responsive efforts from his fullbacks who despite linking well offensively must do a better job defending.

2. The team needs reliable strikers. With a hat-trick against Finland, Miroslav Klose has finally rediscovered his form. Mario Gomez evidently has not. A simple tap-in against Finland hilariously resulted in Gomez dazed inside the net and the ball cleared off the line. Lukas Podolski was on the other hand doing his best to mimic Klose, brilliant one day and completely absent the next. With Kuryani his usual self, it is time to give Helmes or someone else a start.

3. Germany remains dependent on Ballack and Frings. Although there is an abundance of talent in midfield (with convincing attacking displays from Schweni, Trochowski, Podolski and Marin) the general black hole in defensive midfield remains. With both Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings injured the absence of central midfielders who can distribute the ball and shield the defense was obvious against Finland.

4. Löw needs to give proven prospects a chance. He needs to blood consistent players from the Bundesliga or youth level. He has to stop relying on his favored ineffective substitutions. With Klose and Podolski prone to disappearing and Ballack and Frings prone to injury, Löw needs new players to step into place. If certain players can simply not improve then it is high time to drop them.

5. Finally and most importantly the team must stop the habitual sleep-walking through games. They start the first quarter-hour brilliantly and then mysteriously sit back for the rest until it is too late. This was evident against Spain and it was again the case against Finland. Löw desperately needs to find a way to motivate the team from the sidelines or tactically adjust. The only thing Löw has done in times of crisis was to throw on more inconsistent strikers without fresh midfielders to feed them. (Something Berti Vogts use to do…) Löw needs to seriously consider what is going on before Germany end up competing for a playoff spot and losing another final.

Germany has three more games before 2008 is over. Two home World Cup qualification matches and a friendly against England in Berlin. It’s time for the whole team to step up on the road to putting another star on that jersey.