World Cup 2018: 5 aspects of Germany’s play that need improvement

#1 Speed, speed, and more speed

Reus needs to be in the starting XI for every game

Even without the dropped Leroy Sane, Germany still has some of the fastest wingers at the World Cup and it is a weapon that Low must use if the team wants to make a mark at this tournament.

It has become alarming to note that the vibrant German side of four years ago has become a staid, safety-first team which keeps a lot of the ball but rarely goes on the offensive to force the issue. Parallels are already being drawn to the Spanish team which failed to refresh its tactics after being so successful in three consecutive international tournaments (2008-2012).

That La Furia Roja team was humiliated at the World Cup in Brazil, failing to go past the group stages. This is one example that Low and his men would hate to emulate, so certain changes have to be made to the team’s setup.

The Germans are condemned to win their remaining Group E games against Sweden and South Korea; these games will be perfect for Low to unleash his wing talents.

The two Julians: Draxler and Brandt are pacy wingers who can drive at defenders. The dup also have the ability to drift into the middle when there a need. Same goes for Marco Reus whose dribbling, shooting and goal getting skills make him a very valuable asset.

The game against Mexico changed when Reus and later Brandt came in and matched the Mexicans’ pace and effervescence. Benching Ozil or Muller and using two of these wingers would give the team a new dimension and could lead to more chance/goals.