First game of the cup. Germany are famous for tearing opposition apart in the opening match. 

2002 8:0 vs KSA
2006 4:2 vs Costa Rica 
2008 2:0 vs Poland 
2010 4:0 vs Australia 
2012 1:0 vs Portugal 
2014 4:0 vs Portugal 
2016 2:0 vs Ukraine 

They're also famous for stuffing up game two. The couldn't defeat Ireland, Croatia, Serbia, Ghana or Poland. They needed a 93rd minute winner against Poland in 2006.

All of that aside, this is a completely new look squad. With just over 150 combined caps, the side hosts an insane amount of top league experience for their respective ages. They drew 1:1 in Denmark with a very late equaliser and comfortably beat San Marino. While rusty functioning as a team, they pack individual brilliance that sees them superior to slow, lazy defence. 

Their weakness is their back three when their wingbacks are too high and their high confidence leading to risky passing from the back. Like in the friendly,  we should play 433. In turn if Leckie and Behich get up enough and come central, we could see a few decent 3 on 3 situationswith Rogic hovering somewhere. 


Expect a lineup of: ter Stegen- Süle, Rüdiger, Mustafi - Goretzka, Can - Kimmich, Draxler, Hector - Werner, Wagner 

Historically the most ruthless team on the world stage, perhaps of any sport.

Die Mannschaft can smell weakness.  They go by the motto: never give a sucker an even break.

Whereas Gli Azzurri will generally settle for 2-nil (even 1-nil), Germany goes for the jugular, they are relentless.  They will have to be completely off their game for the socceroos to even have the tiniest sniff.

as 2010 showed parking the bus is no guarantee of mercy
hope we do well

Went alright against half a German side last time we played them, in Germany. Had the likes of Troisi, Burns and Devere running around. I have a feeling we'll do OK. This time we'll have Mooy, Rogic & co against a second string German side. In with a very good chance.

Our number one issue for so long as I see it is our ridiculous turnovers in dangerous positions. We just do not have the passing range/accuracy across the park (except for Mooy, Rogic and maybe a couple others) and when pressed we cough it up cheaply, resulting in getting punished by even Asian teams these days. I'd like the defenders to hoof it more when under pressure TBH. Eliminate the risk completely. We know Ange loves his possession passing game though, so don't see it changing.

If we are to believe the stories which emerged after that loss, post Pim's pre-game talk, the boys decided amongst themselves that they weren't going to play as planned, that they would play their way (which ultimately meant a 4-0 loss).

I do believe Pim intended to go into the game with a 4-6-0 formation, but the "front two" continually got dragged too far foward allowing the Germans to slip through with ease.

So if the players had truly "parked the bus" the damage would have been far less.

i agree.  i would actually like to see us go back to the 4141 for this and get leckie running at their backline again.  leckie and hrustic on the wings might give them some serious trouble.  having mcgowan and behich at fullback might help solidify our defence.  they are going to tear us apart if we line up like we did against brazil or the saudis.  

mcgowan--sainsbury---????------behich
-------------------------milligan
leckie----------mooy------rogic-----hrustic
-------------------juric/maclaren

It's a combo of not having the passing range/accuracy; not having the technique to take control of the ball quickly and fluently to be facing anywhere other than towards their own goal and just not having the quickness of mind and discipline to be in the best position to help maintain possession and move the ball forward quickly (with and without the ball).

People here and on other forums erroneously imagine that the other night we were able to match the Brazilians in terms of possession for large parts of the game - it's nonsense - all of our attacks were one dimensional and completely lacking in vision and creativity.

Lucas Neill emphatically denied a players a revolt and threatened Les Murray with defamation unless he withdrew his claims ( It was Murray who published the opinion that Lucas lead the revolt)

If Garcia managed to score from 0.173 meters out directly in front in the first minute or two it would have been a completely different game.and Verbeek would be hailed the greatest coach in our history.  As it is he's only the second greatest.  Behind Hiddink.

The outcome will depend on Postecoglou.  If he continues his fantasy football with 3 at the back and attack at all costs we will get killed.  If he takes a more pragmatic approach with 4231 I think we're in with a show for a draw.

Yes, I've heard both accounts.

The popular view is that we parked the bus, but quite clearly, we did not park the bus, we were absolutely wide open, and if you look at Pim's history (for example, South Korea in the 2007 Asian Cup), he was an ultra conservative coach, especially against superior opposition, so I do believe he would have entered the game wanting to park the bus, in a manner of speaking.

Whether there was a revolt or not, the players did not park the bus.

get out the lube this is gunna hurt

Well, it's not a given, Die Mannschaft does have occasional brain fades, although let me stress, they are very occasional.

More often than not, they squash and obliterate any team that is even the tiniest percentage inferior to their own.

sucks they didnt take Leroy Sane, thought it would be his breakout tournament, still a very very good squad.

lets just hope Ange is a tactical genius and hoping teams play two up front giving us more space in the midfield, although it seems that even 1 up front is giving us issues lol.

Line up predictions?
Expected:

Not enough Keepers

Out of curiosity, I wonder if the rules allow you to play two keepers and only 9 out fielders (5-4-0 formation).

Game plan should be to pass the ball to Rogic outside the box and let him shoot, it's the only way we've got a chance at scoring.

Agree with the calls for 4-2-3-1, I think a Milligan mooy defensive pairing could work well.

We generally do will against Germany. Aside from the 4-0 drumming which I'm my opinion was a result of the wrong side being picked.

The two last games we have played Germany in Germany we have won and a draw. I just don't think we can get away with 3 at the back against Germany. They can be ruthless on the counter. They will love the ball a lot quicker than us.

I think we all accept Ange will do something odd but personally id be lining up in a genuine 4231 which obviously becomes 433 in attack.

----------------------------------Langeak--------------------------------
Milligan------------Sainsbury---------Wright---------------Behich
--------------------------Mooy-------------Luongo-----------------------
-------------------------------------Rogic------------------------------------
Kruse----------------------------------------------------------------Leckie
-------------------------------------Juric--------------------------------------

At least all three in the middle are capable passers of the ball to exploit the runs made by leckie and Kruse. Milligan i feel is also the most capable in the right back position in the squad.

You could also make an argument for using Irvine in place of Rogic to try and have more control of the centre of the park and have rogic come on against more tired legs or alternatively switch the two and have Irvine come on later in games to protect a lead if we somehow manage to steal one

Luongo would have to show a lot more than he showed the other night.  Rogic has the athleticism to tuck in directly behind Juric, which is potentially a potent partnership, and to track back to help out in midfield, but not sure about his defensive capabilities.  Milligan can only ever really be a part-time full back at this level.  I'm starting to wonder whether Kruse is now in terminal decline.

Yeh but Germany in friendlies to Germany playing for points two different teams.

Just you wait it will be 5-0.

My preferred line up... in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

  -------------------------------Ryan--------------------------------
Lekie------------Sainsbury---------Degenek---------------Behich
--------------------------Miligan-------------Luongo-----------------------
Mooy------------------------------Rogic----------------------------Troiss
-------------------------------------Juric--------------------------------------

You do realise what Ange does????

If we play that three at the back 'work in progress' this could hit double figures

he wont play a 4231. is not into 2 defensive mids with 4 at the back.   his 3 NT formations so far are - 3421 - 442 diamond - 4141 

my dream team for anges 3 at the back

-------------------------------------------------jones
----------------------sainsbury-------------wilko----------------jurman
leckie------------------------jedinak----------------------luongo-------------------behich/gersbach
------------------------------------mooy--------------------rogic
------------------------------------------------maclaren

I like that lineup. I think that line up probably has a 1 in 4 chances of pulling off an upset draw or win
Hopefully Ange's voodoo formation is meant mostly for middle eastern teams

Game plan - Milk the clock from the first minute, run straight for the corner flag and sit on the ball. 

We may score an own goal in doing so, it's risky.