We’re nearly there guys – just a few days to go! Check out our breakdowns of Groups A, B, C, D, E and F! Check out the Germans’ qualification prospects next as we break down group G.
The Teams:
Germany, Ghana, USA and Portugal.
The Fixtures:
Germany vs Portugal – 16/6/2014 5PM (BST), Ghana vs USA – 16/6/2014 11PM, Germany vs Ghana – 21/6/2014 8PM, USA vs Portugal – 22/6/2014 11PM, Portgual vs Ghana – 26/6/2014 5PM, USA vs Germany – 26/6/2014 5PM
Germany:
Strengths:
They have countless options in midfield and youth on their side. They shouldn’t be stuck against any opposition with regards to creating chances thanks to the cohesion guys like Ozil, Gotze and Kroos have. If oppositions can’t find a way to stop this midfield, expect them to tear those teams apart.
Weaknesses:
Mertesacker is solid but not the quickest, however Germany should have more than enough at the back to cope with most teams quite comfortably. Klose’s miraculous form at these tournaments has to come to an end soon you’d think but Germany’s midfield is good enough to help compensate for this.
Key Player:
Phillip Lahm is stunning for Bayern Munich; he’s even better for the national side. Expect him to use all of his leadership skills to keep the defence and midfield organised against the tougher teams.
Where will they finish in the group?:
If they don’t lose to Portugal in their first game they should top the group. They’ve not reached a major tournament final since Euro 2008 and they’ll have one eye on doing that in Brazil you’d feel; they’re certainly capable of reaching the semis again.
Ghana:
Strengths:
The squad is arguably stronger than it was last time out in South Africa and they managed a remarkable run of results then. The pace of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan could prove troublesome to the other teams in the group, particularly if they catch them on the break.
Weaknesses:
The importance of Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien to this team should not be underestimated. However these two men are not the players they were four years ago and assuming the opposition they’re going to face in this group find a way to minimalize their influence on the game, Ghana could really struggle.
Key Player:
After one of his more productive seasons at club level for a few years, Kevin-Prince Boateng is going to be crucial to Ghana’s chances. Capable of playing up front or in midfield, if used properly he could provide some much needed support to the ageing legs of Muntari and Essien in the middle as well as to Asamoah Gyan further forward.
Where will they finish in the group?:
They’re going to cause problems to whoever they play but the company they have with them in this group might just be a bit too strong for them to handle – expect them to finish third.
USA:
Strengths:
In a group with one of the favourites as well as Portugal and Ghana, who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup respectively, no one is giving the USA much hope and that could be their biggest strength of all as they have a good core group of players led by the classy Landon Donovan.
Weaknesses:
Up front they have Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore but neither of those two are anything like world class and with it being very likely that this side aren’t going to get many clear cut chances, surely they’d feel more comfortable with more astute men leading the line.
Key Player:
In Donovan’s frankly astonishing absence from the final squad, the weight of the nation is likely to fall on Clint Dempsey’s shoulders. Quite what he can be expected to do without Donovan alongside him for support is anyone’s guess but who knows, Manuel Neuer could have a Rob Green like moment and allow one of Dempsey’s shots to trickle into the net?
Where will they finish in the group?:
Probably in fourth place. I’d expect them to push Ghana quite hard for third though.
Portugal:
Strengths:
On their day they’re as good as anyone. They’ve always produced one or two top class players but now the majority of their first XI are worth looking out for. If they all produce a relatively good level of form they could really do some damage to the few sides in this tournament that are better than them.
Weaknesses:
Inconsistency and lack of depth. Nani for example is either world class or absolutely dire with no indication of whether or not he can carry whatever form he has from one game to the next. Coentrao and Pepe are usually of a similar disposition although this season for Real Madrid they’ve been more consistent than in previous campaigns.
Key Player:
Joao Perreira. No, seriously! … I’m only messing; of course it’s the current World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. He single-handedly decimated Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden in the play-offs prior to this tournament and if Portugal are allowed to play the same counter-attacking football as they were then, expect Ronaldo to light up the tournament.
Where will they finish in the group?:
Even if they fall to Germany in the first game they should have enough quality to finish second and advance to a potential clash with Belgium in the next round; there we’ll see whether the Belgians are capable of showing what they’re made of.