Germany
- System of play: 3-5-2; Very versatile and surprising moves from all three defenders (Wörns, Thon, Kohler) with active overlapping side players (Heinrich, Reuter). Important player of system: Jeremies in defensive centre midfield.
- Strong points: Tactical understanding among the players; always holding effective positions and cohesion. Each player played for the team.
- Outstanding players: Köpke (1), Kohler (4), Thon (6), Jeremies (13), Klinsmann (18)
Defence:
- Offside tactic from time to time.
- Combination of zone and man to man marking. All defenders mobile and reasonably skilful. Read game well.
- Sweeper in line with the stoppers; interchanging of positions many times.
- Heading was a strong point; using it effectively to pass. There was a high level of skill especially with controling accurate passing and very effective and surprising switch from defence to attack.
- All round support from attack to defence with changed positions and utility activities in midfield.
Attack:
- Constructive approach to attack with quick and accurate passing with wing play and the surprise in the running up of defenders who changed position well. Strikers used the open space effectively for themselves. Good cohesion between strikers and midfielders.
- Heading and dribbling activities as well as shooting up to standard.
- Recuperation of lost balls was done occasionally and immediately on loosing the ball. However, more often they dropped back to the centre of midfield and tried to recuperate the ball there.
- There was good support from midfield and defence (through the centre as well as over the wings).
Standards situations:
Team showed high level of cooperation in set pieces. It was evident that each player knew his duties well, especially in the penalty area. The takers of the kicks were using variations of techniques. Long throw-ins (Hässler, Heinrich), similar to a corner. In defence, very good anticipation for the ball, showed no fear for hard tackles. Good understanding with goalkeeper who played a commanding role.
Summary:
Well balanced performance from a technical, tactical, conditioning and psychological and competitive point of view. Good balance in defending and attacking activities. The team was able to dictate the rhythm of the game and controled the result effectively. Substitute players fitted in well with the team in the same positions. This kept the team cohesive.
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United States
- System of play: 3-5 ½ -1 ½ with a libero behind the defensive line and only one striker forward supported by a player which was switching between attack and midfield.
- Strong points: 1st 20 minutes of 2nd half-time: Fighting spirit, team play, pressing game.
- Outstanding players: Hejduk (2), Wegerle (7), Ramos (10); these three players came on in the running of 2nd half; Dooley (5)
Defence:
- No offside tactic.
- Usually zonal marking; sometimes switching to man to man.
- Sweeper behind defensive line.
- Heading was not a strong point in defensive area. Control and passing was up to standard. But under pressure, passing became inaccurate. Switching from defence to attack was not fast enough.
- Many players from midfield supported defensive activities. However, timing for defending was not properly done.
Attack:
- They built attacks through long kicks by the goalkeeper to the forward players or combination play in midfield (less successful). They also tried to use space on the flanks but that space was well occupied by the opposition. Some penetration runs by Hejduk (2), Ramos (10) and Wegerle (7) in second half-time.
- Not many shooting possibilities. Long attempts were inaccurate. Individuals had good dribbling and heading abilities. Co-operation was lacking.
- Support from midfield and defence was there, but not effectively enough. No elements of surprise.
Summary:
The US team did not perform to its real ability. Team and fighting spirit (exception:
1st 20 minutes of the 2nd half-time) was lacking. Lack of confidence and the pressure
of the first World Cup match versus one of the favourites were the reason why the team
did not reach its normal performance.
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