#WorldCup2018 Profile: Will Joachim Löw lead Germany to another World Cup triumph?

Germany’s World Cup winning coach Joachim Löw will be looking to lead Die Mannschaft to another World Cup triumph and will commence the journey in group F where they will square up against Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. I fully expect that Germany will breeze past this group despite the strength of the teams they will come up against.

Joachim Low likes his team to play a very balanced 4-2-3-1 formation with Bayern Munich duo of Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels at the base of the defence. Germany like to progress from the back to the midfield pivot of Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos, who then find the more attacking players. Young striker Timo Werner will likely lead the attack with pace and directness. Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Marco Reus are the trio that will play behind the young striker.

Low has incredible balance and depth in his squad and many will favour the German side to go all the way – I do not. Perhaps the snubbing of Leroy Sane will cost them at some point in the World Cup but they are certainly my tip for the final four.

South Korea plays a 4-4-2 with Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-Min as the star performer in the squad. He leads the line of attack most likely alongside experienced striker Kim Shin-Wook. Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng captains the side, anchors the midfield and brings the ball out from the back. South Korea is a very technical side and form a 4-3-3 when pressing but defend in a 4-4-2. South Korea’s lack of goal scoring is their major weakness and their defence is unproven at international level.

Mexico is perhaps the second favourite to qualify out of the group. They play a 4-3-3 that resembles a 3-1-3-3 formation. Andres Guardado plays ahead of the backline and is responsible for building up play from the back. Creativity comes from Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano, Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos and they look to hit it out wide frequently. Majority of the goal scoring will rest on the shoulders of experienced campaigner Hernandez and a quarter-final spot will be deemed successful for Mexico.

Sweden knocked off European giants Italy for a place in the World Cup. They are a well organised side high on team spirit – majorly because of the lack of superstars. They play a 4-4-2 that sometimes shapes into a 4-2-2-2. RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg is the most creative player in the squad and runs play from left midfield by finding the forward men ahead or creating his own chances. John Guidetti, Ola Toivonen and Marcus Berg will be the attacking players and look to run the channels and draw opposition defenders to create space for their midfielders to exploit. Sweden is a good team but not a great team, but qualification to the next round might be a step too far for the Swedes.

 Predictions

  1. Germany {Group Winners}
  2. Mexico
  3. Sweden {Dark Horses}
  4. Korea Republic

Germany will be overwhelming favourite to top the group, Mexico’s experience and quality will set them apart from the rest of the pack and they should qualify after Germany. Sweden is my dark horse and they can spring a potential surprise in the tournament. Finally, Korea’s lack of quality in a very tough group will cost them dearly and progression out of the group is out of the question.

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