So, it’s the final piece of what has been a dramatic and ultimately disappointing year for the Nationalmannschaft – and the third act of a three-part show against the Netherlands that started just around this time last year in Hamburg.
Back then, Joachim Löw’s side would produce one of their finest performances as the Dutch were taken to the cleaners in a comfortable 3-0 victory. A similar performance next Wednesday in Amsterdam may not undo any of the hurt of Euro 2012, but it will certainly bring the year to a satisfactory conclusion, more so perhaps given the catatrophic collapse against Sweden last month in Berlin.
There are two new names in Löw’s twenty-two man squad, one a brand new face and another whom many had long since written off. The new face is Schalke 04 midfielder Roman Neustädter, who has clearly made an impression for his club this season, while the comeback kid is none other than goalkeeper René Adler – back in the squad for the first time in almost two years and now plying his trade with Hamburger SV.
The Nationaltrainer looks to have almost all of the best names available: the three players injured prior to the World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Sweden – Mats Hummels, Lars Bender, Julian Draxler and İlkay Gündoğan – are all back in the mix, and of the regulars only Sami Khedira (hamstring) and Holger Badstuber (thigh muscle) are missing. Perhaps the biggest changes are in the goalkeeping department, with the recalled Adler the sole backup to Manuel Neuer, meaning that youngsters Ron-Robert Zieler and Marc-André ter Stegen both miss out.
Elsewhere there are no major changes to the last month’s squad, which features an abundance of midfield talent and the one sole striker in the form of veteran goalgetter Miroslav Klose.
Goalkeepers:
Manuel Neuer (Bayern München, 35 Apps/0 Goals)
René Adler (Hamburger SV, 10/0)
Defence:
Jérôme Boateng (FC Bayern München, 28/0)
Benedikt Höwedes (FC Schalke 04, 9/1)
Mats Hummels (BV 09 Borussia Dortmund, 22/1)
Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München, 94/5)
Per Mertesacker (Arsenal FC, 84/2)
Marcel Schmelzer (BV 09 Borussia Dortmund, 9/0)
Heiko Westermann (Hamburger SV, 24/3)
Midfield:
Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 10/1)
Julian Draxler (FC Schalke 04, 2/0)
Mario Götze (BV 09 Borussia Dortmund, 19/3)
İlkay Gündoğan (BV 09 Borussia Dortmund, 3/0)
Toni Kroos (FC Bayern München, 34/4)
Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München, 37/10)
Roman Neustädter (FC Schalke 04, 0/0)
Mesut Özil (Real Madrid CF, 43/14)
Lukas Podolski (Arsenal FC, 105/44)
Marco Reus (BV 09 Borussia Dortmund, 13/5)
André Schürrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen, 19/7)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München, 97/23)
Forwards:
Miroslav Klose (SS Lazio, 126/67)
Pre-Match Facts
No further history lessons need to be written about the rivalry between the Mannschaft and the Oranje, and everything that can be said has been done already. The 3-0 win in Hamburg would be followed by a 2-1 win at the Euros, a result that flattered Bert van Marwijk’s team who for the second time in two matches saw themselves being outclassed and outplayed by a superior German side.
With no more competitive matches until the double-header against Kazakhstan in March next year, the German coach will be looking to maintain the excellent recent record against the Dutch in what will be the fortieth meeting between the two sides. Of the previous thirty-nine encounters, the Mannschaft have won fifteen, with ten wins for their neighbours and fourteen draws.
In an interesting twist following the resignation of van Marwijk after the Oranje’s disastrous showing at the Euros, their new coach is Louis van Gaal – a man who as coach of FC Bayern München between 2009 and 2011 is more than familiar with a number of the Bayern players in the current German squad.
Apart from hoping for a match as good as that played in 2011, eyes will also be on Miro Klose, who is now just one behind Gerd Müller’s goalscoring record. I can think of no better place to do this than the Amsterdam Arena, against the opponents that provided Der Bomber with his greatest moment back in 1974.
Without many important players:(
Good luck, youngs!
Indeed… Due to them all falling like flies I have actually written a squad news update!
http://www.schwarzundweiss.co.uk/changes-changes
True. This game is not important, but it is an opportunity to end the year on a positive note – more so given last month’s result – and a chance to keep the foot firmly planted on the Dutch neck.
A friendly it may be, but no game against the Oranje is completely meaningless.
Alex Meier: one to be considered as a future option, but perhaps to be blooded in a less prestige friendly.
Aaron Hunt: far too many players ahead of him in the pecking order.
Stefan Kießling: agreed here. He should have been in the squad for this one at the very least.
Gonzalo Castro: in good form, but perhaps a little past his sell-by date to reignite an international career.
Sebastian Kehl: ditto. Additionally, he was one of those players that had never really impressed in the Nationaltrikot.
I don’t think the result against the Netherlands is important at all. We have no major tournament coming up and our next game is in 4 months. With the Dutch in a very good form, it will be a tough ask to hope for a win in Amsterdam. It is a good opportunity to try new players/formations and rest some of the more stablished players like Lahm and Ozil.
With the likes of Van Persie, Huntelaar, and Robbin, all in good form, it will be long night for Hummels and Mertesacker. I do believe however that there are players who deserved a chance to be in the formation:
Alex Meier: I always thought he was National team material. With him being in top form this season, sooring 7 and creating two goals, it was now or never for him.
Aaron Hunt: Hunt has been consistent over the years for Bremen. This season he seems to be back to form. Although there are too many good players that play in his posistion in the nationalmannschaft.
Stefan Kiesling: With Gomez injured, and his seven gaols already this season, it would be a good opportunity to give him a chance.
Gonzalo Castro: Very dynamic and always in the midst of things. A player that can be relied on.
Sebastian Kehl: In my opinion, he’s doing great for Dortmund. He’s keeping the team firm, with Khedira out, it was a good chance.