One team must have pricked up their ears hearing the Czech Republic’s elimination at the hands of Turkey. This is Austria’s big moment against Germany. Unlike the genuine Polish antipathy, the Austria’s performances playing their vaunted neighbors have bordered on schizophrenia. Cozy and complicit on the one hand and a spoiler in the other.
Hans Krankl’s side stopped W.Germany from advancing in the 1978 World Cup as they defeated them, 3-2 in their group match, even as they stood eliminated.
Four years later, the 1982 World Cup was marred by an infamous match involving these two teams as both playing the numbers kept Algeria from advancing out of the group stage. Algeria prior to this match defeated Chile garnering four points from three matches. The Germans had four points and the Austrians two. In their final match, the German squad went down to Austria early , 0-1 and for the remainder of the match both teams proceeded to play lackluster soccer. The result ensured both teams went to the second round on superior goal difference. FIFA could not prove any conspiracy but after the 1982 World Cup, far reaching changes were made with deciding group encounters played simultaneously to ensure against collusion.
This time around the Austrians have no choice but beat Germany.
Luckily for them, this German squad’s form has been underwhelming. Their two big men up front have disappeared. Mario Gomez suffering somnambulism, gets caught offside time and time again. Miroslav Klose is playing ball retriever. In midfield, Michael Ballack has looked insipid and uninspiring in play and leadership. Against Croatia, Ballack was at his petulant worst. Lukas Podolski, their only goal scorer has been the opportunistic beneficiary of some defensive mis-hits and lapses.
If the attack has been woeful, the defense has looked disorganized and error prone. The left back position has been especially problematic. Marcel Janssen is slow and foul prone. Philip Lahm is quick but shows a reluctance to track back and tackle and Thomas Hitzlsperger fancies himself as a striker even though his day job lists himself as a left back.
Jens Lehmann so far has vindicated Wenger’s decision to bench him while at Arsenal. Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder, the twin towers have looked flat footed against speedier teams.
Under Joachim Low, this German squad looks dispirited and tired. Bastian Schweinsteiger is the one bright spot and introduced some needed urgency in the German attack.
Austria has some bright spots. Martin Harnik has made scintillating runs down the right. I fancy his match up against any of the German left backs. Roman Keinast has shown some aerial ability and will be called upon late in the game to outjump Mertesacker and Metzelder. Sebastian Proedl and Martin Stranzl have been more effective at center back than their German counterparts at blunting the inside game.
The only way Germany wins this is through their superior set pieces and it will be a Ballack conjuring up a perfect free kick or a Metzelder putting his head on a Lahm corner. Garics and Pogatetz are also liabilities against a speedy Podolski or Lahm.
But I think Austria will prolong German futility for a third Euro in a row.