Football is at its best and most fascinating in its opposition of styles. The World Cup final at the Maracana will feature such a clash of ideology, as Germany are set to take on Argentina at the Estadio do Maracana on July 13.
A team’s style is derived from its coach as the tactician must give his team an identity and guidelines through which to put it on display. Identity shapes tactics, formation, and starting lineups.
Although Joachim Loew and Alejandro Sabella have both evolved their tactics, formations and starting lineups over the course of the competition, their respective team’s identity has been clear.
The clash between Germany and Argentina will likely be something of a case of Beauty and the Beast. The Beast in question is Argentina, whilst Germany’s enchanting play will represent the Beauty.
Argentina’s pragmatic approach to the competition has often been decried throughout their World Cup campaign. Sabella has built his side around a staunch defence and hard-working players who provide the springboard for Lionel Messi to be the match winner.
Loew also had his share of critics, with most pointing to his starting lineup as a sore point. Germany started the competition playing with four center-backs, Philippe Lahm as a holding midfielder, and Thomas Mueller as a false No.9.
Whether it was part of an elaborate masterplan to bluff the opposition or unforeseen circumstances, like the injury to Shkodran Mustafi, Loew has returned to his former 4-2-3-1 formula with Lahm at fullback and Miroslav Klose spearheading the attack.
Finding the right formula is always tricky in a high pressure and short-tournament format like the World Cup and Sabella certainly experienced it with his side as Argentina lined up with three center-backs in the first game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The formation stymied Messi’s influence in the game and Sabella quickly made the switch back to the more open 4-3-3. In the latter stages, Sabella found the solutions to solidify his formation by introducing Martin Demichelis for Federico Fernandez and replacing Fernando Gago with the more disciplined Lucas Biglia.
Germany have been an expansive, passing team that has excelled at controlling games. Loew’s side have complemented these qualities with a capacity to burst forward and quickly verticalize their play during transition phases.
Not surprisingly, because of the many Bayern Munich players in the team, Loew has simply adopted that identity which marries both technical excellence with overwhelming athleticism.
On the other hand Argentina have employed a more rudimentary style, and Sabella has infused it with very Latin qualities. The team presses aggressively, but mostly plays deep. Sabella has built a team that defends collectively and works to frustrate and foil the opposition.
No player epitomizes that identity better than Javier Mascherano, who boasts the qualities of grinta (determination), malice and tactical discipline that Sabella has instilled in Argentina’s play. Indeed, beyond the lavish passing style that Argentina extols, this culture of defending and self-sacrifice is also part of Argentine football’s heritage.
Like Germany and Bayern Munich, Sabella’s Argentina have also drawn inspiration from a club side as they bear a striking resemblance to his Estudiantes side that won the Copa Libertadores and were losing finalists in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009.
As a result the World Cup final clash will very much be a clash of ideas. Will Loew’s ruthless blitzkrieg get the best of Sabella’s attrition tactics? The question presents the irresistible force paradox at its finest, as an unstoppable force (Germany) prepares to meet an immovable object (Argentina).
Whether it is the expansive Germany or miserly Argentina that prevails, whether we laud the former or vilify the latter, the victor will be the righteous… at least on the day.
You can follow Ogo Sylla on Twitter at: @RossonerOgo_3
