re: Why on earth did Jogi Löw start Podolski?

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You keep saying that Italy's midfield was some godsend, but it was Italy's defensive organization that was the impressive thing. Their midfield was fine, but it wasn't anything earth shattering.

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Italy won the midfield and that's what caused the defensive problems for Germany. Germany is dominant when they control the midfield to allow all their attacking first players to not worry as much about defending. Italy dictated play from the midfield and hence were able to take advantage of Germany's porous defense.



I'm not saying Italy's midfield was necessarily a godsend just that it's better than Germany's and that was the difference. That Italy was better organized has everything to do with which midfield was more effective.


For example: Cassano isn't left on an island to abuse Hummels unless Pirlo doesn't create the space with Ozil trying to shut him down to get off an accurate 50 yard diagonal.


I love how Schweinsteiger plays but he's certainly not better than De Rossi. They're both world class but I think De Rossi is even more flexible which helps with the NT lineups.


Khedira/Kroos are not really any better than Montolivo/Marchisio.


Ozil is a fantastic attacking talent--clearly as good as any in the world-- but his seeming complete disinterest or inability in defending had as much to with Kroos and Podolski playing as anything. It's also the reason he's not always in Mourinho's lineups.


Also, it's not like this exact Italian midfield has played together all that often either so that excuse doesn't really fly.