Germany moved closer to an automatic qualification spot for Euro 2016 in France by earning a well fought 3-1 victory over Poland at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt Germany.
Mario Gotze showcased his true value by scoring a brace adding to Thomas Mullera s 12th minute opener to take Germany to the top of the table with 16 points. Gotzea s Bayern team mate Robert Lewandowski scored before half time to reduce the arrears but it proved to be inadequate consolation for the Polish side as Germany came out as worthy winners. Both teams fought neck to neck for chances infront of the goal but Germany with the help of their ever dependable custodian Manuel Neuer were able to restrict Poland from scoring. Karim Bellarabia s darting runs on the left caused the Polish defence problems as the Bayer Leverkusen wingera s blocked effort in the opening minutes displayed Germanya s intentions early on. In the 12th minute, Bellarabi sent a splitting pass into Jonas Hectora s path and the left-back squared off for Thomas Muller to apply the finish, giving the hosts an early lead. Germany went on to dominate despite Lewandowskia s saved effort and were rewarded with a second when Gotze cut in from the left and fired a low shot beating A?ukasz Fabia ski to the goal. Muller went close to scoring a third in the 35th minute but Fabia ski made a superb save to deny the 26-year old. Minutes later Robert Lewandowski scored his 8th goal of the campaign following a brilliant counter attack from Poland as Poland showed urgency to restore parity to the scoreline. The second half started briskly as Bellarabi was once again denied, this time by Krychowiaka s block in the area. Germany exerted their pressure, but Poland were denied by a brilliant save from Manuel Neuer when he thwarted Maczynskia s stinging shot in the 60th minute. The deciding moment of the match came in the 82nd minute when Mario Gotze scored from a rebound before setting up Thomas Muller for the initial shot.
With this win, Germany go to the top of Group D, handing Poland their first defeat in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Let’s look at the things which can be observed from the match.
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Attacking Extravaganza:
It was a dazzling display of attacking football as both sides showed some exquisite ball play throughout the match. Despite their contrasting styles, both Germany and Poland thoroughly entertained the audience with their slick movement of the ball, Germany with their quicki-taka inside the penalty box and Poland with their pacey counter-attacks.Even though the scoreline suggests that Germany were the dominant side, Adam Nawa kaa s men displayed some exceptional moves during the match but were denied by a string of super saves from Manuel Neuer and some near misses. Arkadiusz Milik dropped deep and sprayed two delightful balls for the onrushing Grosicki in the opening minutes but Germany managed to keep out the danger. The strikera s hardwork paid off when he played another delightful pass out wide for Grosicki who curled a delightful outfoot pass for captain Lewandowski to plant a header into the net. Polanda s spark in and around the penalty area was again in display at the end of the first half as Lewandowski had two attempts on the goal in the span of two minutes. It took a world class save from Manuel Neuer and a close clearance from Mario Gotze to deny their club team mate an equalizer. On the other side, Germany showed off their classic movement of the ball and killer instinct inside the box with the marauding runs from Karim Bellarabi and superb box play from Muller which resulted in the opening goal. The World Champions dictated the tempo throughout the first half despite Polanda s attempts at the goal. They refused to take their foot off the gas as they once again dominated the ball on the hour mark. Their hunger to attack clearly helped them in securing three points and going to the top of the table with Mario Gotzea s 82nd minute goal.
Germanya s Rhythm:
Germany have been struggling to replicate the level of performances they displayed at the World Cup since winning the showpiece event back in July 2014. Fridaya s match against Poland was by far their best performance in the post World Cup era, as the World Champions seemed to have found their groove back. They were smooth in attack, as their free flowing movement in front of the goal had the Polish defence stretched on numerous occasions as Karim Bellarabi caused problems with his runs down the flank. Jonas Hector was an able ally to his team mates as his exchanges down the left side opened up spaces for Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze inside the box. The 25-year old bagged two assists in the process setting up the opening two goals. Down the right side, Thomas Muller once again showed his predatory instincts inside the box with an early effort before sliding a ball for Bellarabia s 6th minute attempt. He was once again in place to tuck in Jonas Hectora s pass from a close range, opening Germanya s account for the night. Mesut Ozil who is most comfortable in playing behind the striker, orchestrated the free flowing attacks from the hole as his crisp passes and delicate touches gave his fellow attackers chances to move into dangerous areas. Mario Gotze put in a man of the match performance as he shrugged off recent criticism by scoring two crucial goals in the match. He constantly moved to the left to make room for Thomas Muller in the centre and his trickery caused many problems for the Polish defence. Emre Can who was handed his senior team debut, started at the right back and was solid for the most part of the match but looked hesitant while going forward. While Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger kept recycling possession, they looked beaten for pace at occasions when Poland countered. Although, the team performed brilliantly, there were periods in the game where the German defence allowed a lapse of concentration during which Poland made way into the box and on one such occasion scored through Lewandowski. But at numerous instances, Manuel Neuer came to the rescue as he made truly world class saves to deny Polanda s attackers, in particular his Bayern team mate Robert Lewandowski.
