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World Cup Matchday 5 – Lessons Learnt

After four cagey quarter-finals with just five goals between them, the tournament’s early favourites have made it through to the semi-finals. Here we cast our eye back over those nail biting quarter finals and assess the lessons learnt, including Germany’s ruthless efficiency, Holland boss Louis Van Gaal’s big decision and the possible differential options available for fantasy mangers.

Germany display their trade mark ruthless efficiency

After predicting Germany’s defensive frailties would be the key factor in deciding the outcome of their semi-final showdown with France in my last article, I now have to eat a slice of humble pie as the German defence proved me completely wrong by keeping another clean sheet.

With captain Phillip Lahm slotting in at right back and Mats Hummels returning to central defence, Germany looked more balanced and a solid side at the back. The French created chances but were unable to take any of them as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and the German defence kept Karim Benzema & Co from finding the back of the net. In the end France left the tournament in which they had shown so much early promise with nothing more than a whimper as they fell short against a far superior German side.

Former England striker Gary Lineker once said “Football is a simple game, 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.” Lineker was proved right again, as after the early goal Germany were able to exert their dominance on the game, keeping possession, wearing out the opposition and showing the ruthless efficiency they are famed for by securing the 1-0 victory needed to take them to the world cup semi-final for a record fourth time in a row.

The German team know how to get it done and this young side has lots of experience to go with their athleticism. Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Neuer and Hummels are likely to form the base of most fantasy teams for the semi-finals round.

Victory at a cost for Brazil

In a wave of emotion and support from the home crowd Brazil swept aside a talented Colombia team to reach the semi-finals, but it came at a price as their star player and talisman Neymar left the game on a stretcher and has since been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a spine injury.

Brazil was afforded fantastic support by the home crowd and rather than put pressure on the team like against Chile the support seemed to galvanise the team, spurring on the Brazilian side. It was end to end stuff with both teams happy to play on the counter attack, but It was two centre backs from two set piece that grabbed the goals for the hosts in the 2-1 win. However, despite their victory Brazil never controlled the game and resorted to just hoofing it clear around the 70 minute mark onwards, very un-Brazilian.

It was Brazil’s game plan to target key man James Rodriguez that became controversial as the match unfolded. Of course you need to mark the opposition’s best player but Brazil’s tactics were to just kick lumps out of him. It was a disgrace that the referee did not show a yellow card to any Brazilian in the first half, an early card in the game would have made Brazil think twice about their heavy handed approach and would have given Rodriguez the space he needed to create. It has been a fantastic tournament for the 22- year-old as he announced his presence on the world stage,  having already scored in the previous four games he scored again from the spot in this one to finish the tournament with 6 goals and favourite for the golden boot.

After Brazil’s clear intent to rough up Rodriguez they were given a dose of their own medicine as Colombian defender Juan Zuniga collided with Neymar leaving the Brazilian striker in some pain lying on the turf. Neymar hadn’t played his best in the game so it is reassuring for the hosts they were still able to find a way to win, but if they are to reach the final they will have to win without their talisman.

Van Gaal makes another big decision

Louis Van Gaal once again tinkered with his line-up, having already played 5-3-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 throughout the tournament the Dutch set up in yet another formation, an adventurous 3-4-3 formation for their quarter final encounter with surprise package Costa Rica. The central Americans didn’t come to sit back and defend and gave it a real go but in doing so it left space for the cavalier counter attacking Dutch to exploit, even though their forays in attack were unsuccessful. Robin Van Persie was as guilty as anyone, caught offside countless times, he was unable to make contact with a late cross that surely would have resulted in a goal. He was unlucky to see a last minute strike after several deflections cleared off the line. After a strong start with three goals in two games Van Persie has tailed off dramatically and is another example of strikers struggling at the World Cup while number 10s have thrived.

So with the game heading towards penalties Van Gaal made another huge decision, he replaced goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with substitute keeper Tim Krul. This was a massive gamble from Van Gaal. Normally keepers have no pressure in penalty shootouts and are not expected to save penalties, but with this last minute change Van Gaal had suddenly put considerable pressure on both Krul and himself. As Krul saved the fifth penalty, his second save of the shootout, to send the Dutch through to the semi-finals, Van Gaal was once again made to look like a master tactician.

Its gambling time – the differential options

With the tournament down to the final four games and the final four teams managers chasing mini league titles are afforded fewer and fewer opportunities to gain ground on leaders. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller established in most teams (all 3 are 50% owned in FOX sports game) fantasy managers may need to forgo these popular star players and pick some less obvious names in an attempt to claw victory from the jaws of defeat. It’s gambling time.

Hulk  – The Zenit forward had already shown signs he is ready to elevate himself to levels of Brazil teammate Neymar, his performance against Chile was fantastic, full of energy, tricks and willingness to take players on. He also had the ball in the back of net but it was rightly disallowed for handball. He has had 14 shots so far, eight of which have forced the keeper into making a save and with Neymar ruled of the tournament it will fall on Hulk to be the Brazilian spark.

Mesut Ozil  – Germany’s  “king of the assist” arrived at the tournament in poor form after an indifferent first season at Arsenal and has continued this poor form throughout the tournament managing just the one goal and no assists in five games. Ozil though is still a favourite of coach Joachim Low and is assured a place in the team regardless of poor form, even with Toni Kroos outplaying Ozil in his preferred number 10 role. Rather than drop the Arsenal man Low moved Ozil out wide in order to keep him in the team. Up against a Brazilian side missing their defensive leader and unable to keep a clean sheet ( just one in five) he is assured of game time  and there’s at least a chance Ozil plays a part in a goal or two in this game.

Ezequiel Garay –So far it has been his teammate Rojo who is slightly cheaper (in McDonalds game) and with a goal already to his name that has been the Argentine defender getting attention of fantasy managers. As a result we have to turn to Ezequiel Garay for the differential option. Garay is assured his place in the line-up and is up for every set piece. This chance at finding the back of the net and those precious six points that come with it must be worth the gamble.

Gonzalo Higuain – Like so many number 9s Argentine Higuain has so far underperformed at this tournament. His role has been to drag defenders out of position and create space for Messi to exploit, rather than play in the box his using his natural goal poaching abilities. But Higuain has World Cup pedigree to back him up , scoring four goals in South Africa in 2010 and comes into the semi-finals fresh from his winning quarter-final goal against Belguim. Higuain could be the striker to shine at the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Mario Gotze / Andre Schurlle – Both would represent a massive gamble as neither are assured game time but fortunately this is the first semi-final so we will know the line-up before the deadline and can make transfers accordingly. Schurlle seems like he’s in super sub territory but has looked lively when given the chance from the bench. His introduction in the second half against Algeria changed the game and gave the Germans a different dimension with his willingness to run in behind. Gotze did originally have the mangers backing to fill left midfield slot but he seems to have fallen out of favour. Both Schurlle and Gotze have a goal each this tournament and if either start they could be a midfield differential up against a Brazil side that has been far from convincing at the back.

8 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Nice list of Semi final differentials. Good to see Hulk there especially.

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    1. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      agreed.

      i'm in for Hulk and Higuain. time to make some moves up the scoreboard!

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  2. biddii
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Ok here goes. Gone attacking hoping for a goal glut in the semis. Let me have your thoughts. McD game

    Cillensen,
    Rojo, Hummels, Luiz, De Vrij,
    Oscar, Sneijder, Kroos, Lahm, Mascherano
    Hulk, Robben, Messi

    Thanks

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  3. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Excellent article mate, really helpful.
    Cheers.

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  4. tm245
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Nice article. I have four of those guys already, not sure if I can stretch to Garay as well.

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  5. Conrad.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Scoring:

    Goal: 6
    Assist: 2
    Shot on target (that doesn't score): 1

    Who to captain?

    A) Robben (tougher fixture, but takes more shots)
    B) Muller (easier fixture, but takes less shots)

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    1. Balotellis Bib
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      tricky one, id go for robben, hes been the driving force for that dutch side and as you said he always look for a shot.

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      1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        gravatar.com

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