Germany go it alone
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Article summary
Germany have closed their training sessions in the hope of springing a tactical surprise against the Netherlands.
Article body
The element of surprise
"From now on we will train in secret," said assistant coach Michael Skibbe following today's session. "We know their players and they know ours, so there will be no surprises on that front. The only way we can surprise them is with our tactics."
Tactical choices
The decision will increase speculation that Rudi Völler is considering switching to a three-man defensive line from Germany's preferred flat back four, or flirting with the idea of fielding a lone striker at the Estádio do Dragão. "Fielding a single forward is one of the options we are looking at," revealed Skibbe.
Emphasis on defence
The 39-year-old former BV Borussia Dortmund coach continued: "Our priority is to give a sound defensive display and I am sure we will do just that. We've also got reliable information on the way the Dutch will play but we don't want to speak about it as it will give them an opportunity to change their tactics."
Video preparation
To get their players in the right frame of mind ahead of a Group D campaign in which they will also face Latvia and the Czech Republic, the German management are compiling a video on their opponents for each squad member to study. "It will be selected sequences - their tactics at set-pieces and how their defenders and strikers act."
