Will the sum of Germany’s parts defeat the occasionally brilliant, but usually attritional Argentina?
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Once every four years, the biggest match in football takes place, and fans all over the globe are set for the treat this evening when Argentina take on Germany in the World Cup final.
The Germans tortured Brazil in the semi-finals 7-1, while Argentina, seemingly solely relying on the brilliance of Lionel Messi, have scraped through the tournament so far – only getting through the last round on penalties.
Here’s the sides we think the two teams will play tonight – and how we rate each member out of ten.
Of course, a football match is never won like this (even more so because of the fantastic team unity and organisation of the Germans), but it’s interesting to rate each side’s individuals nonetheless!
GK)
Germany: Manuel Neuer – 9/10
Argentina: Sergio Romero – 7/10
Neuer is probably the best ‘keeper in the world, and his role as a sweeper behind his back four has been invaluable so far. Romero would have likely been rated lower before the start of this tournament, but he’s conceded just three goals, and performed heroics in the penalty shoot-out verses the Dutch in the semis.
DR)
Germany: Philipp Lahm – 9/10
Argentina: Pablo Zabaleta – 8/10
Two of the best right-backs in the world, Zabaleta is still left trailing in Lahm’s wake in this comparison. The German is wonderful going forward, totally solid at the back, and a wonderful leader. He’s as important for the Germans as anyone, and deserves this mark.
DC)
Germany: Mats Hummels – 8/10
Argentina: Ezequiel Garay – 7/10
Hummels provides more of a goal threat, but both are equally composed in possession. Hummels is the better defender if the two, although Garay hasn’t done anything wrong this tournament.
DC)
Germany: Per Mertesacker – 6/10
Argentina: Martin Demichelis – 6/10
Both are good with the ball at their feet, and make good defensive decisions in the norm – but we’ve rated the pair as ‘6’ because their total and equal lack of pace makes them a liability if the ball is played in behind.
DL)
Germany: Benedikt Howedes – 5/10
Argentina: Marcos Rojo – 5/10
Rojo is nursing an injury but is still expected to start this evening, while Howedes is naturally a centre-back. Both could be exploited this evening.
DMC)
Germany: Sami Khedira – 7/10
Argentina: Javier Mascherano – 9/10
Mascherano has been the best holding midfielder in the World Cup so far, while Khedira has slowly but surely come into the tournament himself – playing superbly verses Brazil in the semi-finals. He’ll be charged with stopping Lionel Messi play though, which is as hard a job as it sounds.
MC)
Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger – 7/10
Argentina: Lucas Biglia – 5/10
Biglia doesn’t do an awful lot of defensive work, especially in comparison to Mascherano, but his passing isn’t good enough for him to really link defence and attack from the centre. Schweinsteiger’s experienced head will be invaluable to the Germans tonight though.
MC)
Germany: Toni Kroos – 9/10
Argentina: Enzo Perez – 6/10
Because of his passing, ability to tick over tempo, and also create chances from deep, Kroos has probably been the best midfielder in the entire tournament so far. Perez should keep his place from the semi-finals, and he passes the ball well, and works hard. However, with him expected to cover on the right of midfield because of Messi’s free role – we can only give the Benfica man a ‘6’.
AMR)
Germany: Thomas Muller – 9/10
Argentina: Ezequiel Lavezzi – 7/10
Muller scores, creates, and is notorious for having a huge effect on big matches. Lavezzi is unlikely to be dropped for Sergio Aguero in our eyes, with the more renowned striker having struggled for fitness all tournament. Lavezzi works hard, and does make things happen – although Alejandro Sabella would swap him for Muller in an instant, if he could.
AML)
Germany: Mesut Ozil – 8/10
Argentina: Gonzalo Higuain – 7/10
Higuian’s effectiveness is limited because of the role he’s asked to play for Argentina, due to Messi being allowed free reign of the central attacking positions. Ozil’s grown into the tournament, and does an impressive job maintaining possession and aiding tempo on the left – while he also has the technical ability and creative genius to make chances out of nothing.
FC)
Germany: Miroslav Klose – 7/10
Argentina: Lionel Messi – 10/10
Obviously, Messi gets full marks here – because on his day, no other footballer on this pitch will come close to him in terms of ability. He’s scored four so far, but will be desperate to add to that tally tonight. Klose though, has a knack of scoring goals – especially for his country. He’s the all-time top goalscorer in World Cups with 16, and betting against him adding another tonight would be unwise.
So, in total, Germany have scored 84/110 and Argentina have been rated at 77/110.
We’ll see how accurate these ratings and predictions were in a matter of hours!
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