We requested Matt Hermann to present us the German media’s perspective on the U.S.’ nationwide group, together with ideas on John Brooks’ huge aim. Let’s simply say they do not soft-pedal their criticism of the group.
BY
Matt Hermann
Posted
June 19, 2014
1:14 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
SAO PAOLO—With Ghana crushed, the US nationwide group are over the primary hurdle.
However challenges stay, not least the one posed by Germany. Die Mannschaft clobbered America’s subsequent opponents, Portugal, to steer Group G on aim distinction, and will but knock Jurgen Klinsmann and co. out of the World Cup if the previous German coach can’t get a consequence on Sunday.
So what impression did the stirring win towards Ghana—and German-American John Brooks’ huge position in it—make in Germany? And do followers of the German nationwide group truly see the US as a menace? Right here’s a peek at what Germany is saying concerning the “US-Boys.” (Yup, that’s what they name the Individuals.)
The primary cease must be kicker, the sports activities journal of document in Germany. The paper publishes twice weekly, and is principally the intense soccer fan’s bible.
For that cause, kicker was as stunned as anybody to see John Anthony Brooks turn out to be the hero on the evening. The Hertha BSC defender solely went a full 90 minutes 10 occasions for the Berlin membership in 2013-14, scoring two targets and receiving beneath common rankings. Twice within the season’s first six matches, Brooks was substituted within the first half.
In an article entitled “Brooks turns his dreams into reality,” the writer marvels on the 21-year-old’s talent at premonition, and emphasizes how far he has are available in only a few months. Klinsmann and Andreas Herzog apparently had a sequence of discussions with Hertha coach Jos Luhukay and Sporting Director Michael Preetz within the spring over whether or not Brooks was able to deal with going to Brazil.
They determined he was, thankfully for the U.S., although the piece features a be aware of warning from Herzog: “Sometimes, as a central defender you have to be a real dirtbag—he has to learn that. He doesn’t know how good he actually is.”
In Brooks’ hometown, Berlin, the papers additionally solid his story as a redemption story. Broadsheet Tagesspiegel, reminded readers of the massive, largely unfulfilled expectations placed on the teen final season—a season through which he was despatched to coach with the reserves at one level, and spent a number of weeks boycotting the press. B.Z. , the town’s hottest tabloid, emphasised probably the most tabloid-ready low level: the recent again tattoo that upset coach Luhukay a lot that he left Brooks off a recreation day roster in April.
Previous to the Ghana match, the German tackle the U.S. had been respectful, if not enthusiastic. kicker’s total tackle the U.S. within the lead-up to the match was lukewarm however knowledgeable, strengthened by the truth that the man who wrote the file on the group is an American himself—longtime correspondent Jerry Hawkins. It’s fascinating to see how he sizes up the USA for a German viewers.
In kicker’s World Cup preview particular, Hawkins advised readers about Klinsmann’s formation experiments, in addition to his want to educate the group to play a extra proactive fashion as an alternative of counting on the counter recreation.
Coupling that fashion with a couple of ingrained American cultural attitudes, nevertheless, is the place the U.S. may get into bother, wrote Hawkins: “A typically American trump card is to have an almost naive lack of respect for more powerful opponents. The belief that you can beat anybody can move mountains…but for a technically limited side, a brave game plan like this can also become a boomerang.”
11Freunde, a month-to-month journal with a cult following amongst Germany’s many soccer hipster sorts, sounded an identical be aware of alarm in its preview.
“Klinsmann has progressed since he charmed the football world with the exciting style of the German national team in its home World Cup. But the nucleus of his philosophy—compact in defense, strict organization in midfield, explosive up front— remains the same…It’s a style that’s good for spectacle, but also one that tactically well-schooled teams can exploit…That’s why it’s likely Klinsmann will need to play a counter-oriented style against Germany.”
Different highlights within the (print solely) particular version are a protracted interview with Jürgen Klinsmann and an article about Timothy Chandler’s bumpy experience towards a call between casting his lot with the DFB or the us. Klinsmann explains Berti Vogts position within the teaching group (“He’s my tactical sounding board…he’ll say, ‘Why don’t we try this pattern on a corner kick?’ and in the Mexico game it was his corner that got us the 1-0.”) And we additionally study that we might have Chandler’s former Nurnberg teammate Marvin Plattenhardt to thank for convincing him to play for the U.S. (Earlier than you ask, Plattenhardt shouldn’t be U.S. eligible—only a good buddy of Chandler.)
Amongst non-specialist sports activities publications, Bild is an important. The mass-market paper has the largest circulation in Europe and its sports activities part is usually first to interrupt tales on the German nationwide group. However except for Germany, which it covers exhaustively, the paper doesn’t provide a lot evaluation of different groups, preferring to give attention to star names who promote papers.
Bild’s energy is entry. Right here is the place you’ll get interviews with Chandler’s mom (his errant balls knocked out the outside lights three 3 times rising up; his favourite meals is tuna salad) in addition to with Fabian Johnson (“We want to beat Ghana. If we do that, anything’s possible”).
Bild can also be the place you may learn “Julian Green’s Diary,” a each day look behind the scenes on the Bayern teen’s actions on the U.S. camp. Right here you’ll discover out that “today’s training session was hard,” and “the accommodations are super,” and there are some some choicer tidbits on Inexperienced’s ping-pong matches versus Jozy Altidore and Nick Rimando.
In B.Z., the temper surrounding Germany is ebullient. The headline on the quilt to the World Cup complement learn “Hands off—this time the cup belongs to us,” so it’s not an enormous shock that they appear to view the US as a mere pace bump alongside the best way to the title.
“Outstanding individuals are what’s missing from Klinsmann’s team,” the paper says, happening to single out Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, and Michael Bradley as leaders, in addition to tip of the hat to Fabian Johnson as “the surprise of the pre-tournament camp.”
B.Z. doesn’t hazard a prediction as to how the group will stack up, nevertheless it’s straightforward to see they take the U.S. most evenly out of all three opponents. Germany will beat Portugal 2-1 and Ghana 3-2, the paper says earlier than saying “Germany look much stronger than the U.S., but the Americans can battle. Joachim Low’s team will keep a clean sheet and grind out a 2-0 win.”
Spox.com, one in every of Germany’s greatest sports activities web sites and the one for which Jurgen Klinsmann moonlights as a rating prognosticator for every Bundesliga match day, struck a way more constructive tone in its capsule of the US nationwide group.
The location identified Jozy Altidore’s ample expertise and stable performances for the U.S. through the years slightly than dwelling on his car-crash of a season at Sunderland. It additionally praised the group’s health and type in qualifying with ease in addition to successful the newest Gold Cup.
Their takeaway: “Even as the Americans would seem, at first glance, to be the weakest team in the group—as well as weakened by the dropping of their star Landon Donovan—this team is an insider’s tip to make it to the round of 16, and is notable as a collective…The USA should not be underestimated.”
What do you consider the German media’s tackle the U.S.? Truthful? Harsh? Chime in along with your ideas beneath.
Matt Hermann is an anchor/producer at DW-TV and the host of the German soccer podcast Speaking Fussball. Observe him on Twitter.
