Formation Greek: Die Mannschaft - Deutschland Analysis

Die Mannschaft come into Euro 2012 as the most successful team in the European Cup, with three titles ('72, '80, '96), and runners up on three occasions ('80, '92, '08). Jogi Löw's men come into Euro 2012 as one of the heavy favourites, keen to knock La Furia Roja - the reigning European and World champions - off their perch. The Germans are coming off a very successful third place finish at the 2010 World Cup, with the second youngest team they have ever brought to a major tournament. Expectations were Löw(pun intended) for the World Cup hosted in South Africa when the captain, and face of German football for the past 8 years - Michael Ballack - was injured by German born Ghanaian, Kevin-Prince Boateng. But Löw was able to turn his team full of young and unproven players into a dynamic, free flowing football team able to strike fear into any opposition. Fast forward two years later, and Löw continues to integrate young players into the squad.

Joachim Löw's probable formation and starting XI

4-2-3-1

Neuer

Höwedes - Hummels - Badstuber - Lahm

Kroos - Schweinsteiger

Müller - Özil - Podolski 

Klose

Jogi Löw has always favoured a 4-2-3-1 ever since he took control of the national team when Jürgen Klinnsman stepped down as manager after the 2006 World Cup. Löw, the man thought to be the tactician behind a very average German team in 2006, will look to build on his previous two major tournaments, 2nd in Euro 2008, and 3rd in South Africa 2010, respectively. Jogi has come out and stated that the days of players holding a starting spot for 8 years unchallenged are long behind this team. With the likes of Neuer, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and Özil as the only sure bets in Löw's starting 11, it leaves a lot of competition for the other available spots. 

Strengths:

Depth, depth, and even more depth:

The 2012 version of this German squad oozes quality all over the pitch, with many positions able to be filled twice, or even three times over. The Germans have not seen depth like this since their golden era in the 70's and 80's, with the likes of Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, and Der Bomber - Gerd Müller - leading the line. The substitutes role may seem like an afterthought to a championship winning team, and their outcome on the overall tournament could be minimal, but a sub's role is not seen publicly, it all happens behind closed doors. When talents such as Mario Götze, Marco Reus, and "Super Mario" Gomez likely starting on the bench, they will be pushing Lukas Podolski, Thomas Müller, and Miroslav Klose to be at their absolute best during training and in the games. With the possibility of injuries and suspensions, the Germans are far more equipped to handle either with such depth. 

Mixture of veterans and youth:

Phillip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are entrusted by Löw and will be relied upon to take yet another young German squad to glory. With Lahm and Schweinsteiger still in their prime, and with plenty of years left in the tank, add in the youthfulness of Özil, Müller, and Götze, and Die Mannschaft might just have the right balance to lift the trophy.

Joachim Löw's loyalty:

Often criticized for some of his inclusions to the South Africa 2010 World Cup - mainly Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski - both who had abysmal domestic campaigns, scoring six and three goals respectively. Jogi proved his critics wrong as both players showed up on the big stage to bag goals in the first game, and went on to play vital roles in Deutschland's run. Löw's best attribute is that he's able to get his players to perform when it matters most, and he has succeeded at this aspect time and time again.

Weaknesses

Defense:

With Phillip Lahm as the only world class defender Löw has at his disposal, his biggest headache must surely come when he has to pencil in the other 3 defenders on the team sheet. The center backs Löw favoured at the 2010 World Cup - Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich - is no longer a possibility. With Friedrich well beyond his best and now playing his club football in America, he has been out of the national team set up for well over a year. And with Mertesacker coming off a season ending injury which cut short his debut season at Arsenal, fitness concerns must be in the back of Jogi's mind. Mats Hummels, the best defender in the Bundesliga for the past two seasons, leading his club - Borussia Dortmund - to back to back titles, and the double this year has been a shadow of his Dortmund self once he dawns the famous white kit. Hummels inconsistent performances have not gone unnoticed, and this accounts for his inability to lock down a starting role. Holger Badstuber has been one of Löw's favourites for quite some time; so the biggest question is who will be standing along side him on June 9th? Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Höwedes, Per Mertesacker, and Mats Hummels are all vying for one of the most problematic positions in the German set up.

Title Favourites:

Die Mannschaft head into Euro 2012 as one of three favourites; a role that has not suited German teams of the past quite well, and only time will tell if the expectation of lifting the trophy will be too much of a burden to shoulder. The mental fragility of some key German players lead to a big upset in the Champions League final in Munich. The player that appeared to be most affected by such pressure was Mario Gomez, which could lead to a huge problem for Löw's team if Miroslav Klose cannot gain full form and fitness. The last tournament Germany went in as clears favourites was World Cup '94, and they eventually came up lame in the quarter's vs Bulgaria. 

Joachim Löw's loyalty:

The loyalty and faith Löw bestowed onto Podolski and Klose proved Jogi to be a genius, but this time around it could be his downfall. However, the question marks aren't centered around the polish born Germans - who both have come off their most successful domestic campaign in years - but the question remains with Per Mertesacker. A defender that Löw has stood by for a number of years. Mertesackers debut season with the Gunners was nothing to write home open as he was constantly exposed for his lack of pace, and inability to cope with the faster game of the premier league. A few months back, Jogi was quoted as saying he would not bring anyone to the European Championships if they were not fit and in form, but the lack of options at center back has forced his hand. 

Key Player

Bastian Schweinsteiger:

Likened to Spains Xavi, Bastian is the face of German football and as he goes, so does Germany. With a squad boasting some of the world’s greatest talents, it is the Bayern München man who will be relied upon to lead this German team up the steps on July 1st at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv. Löw deploys Schweinsteiger in a deep lying role where he excels at dictating the pace of the game, linking the defense with the attack. With a great range of passing, and a shot that can threaten from 25+ yards, Bastian possesses the talent to trouble any opposition in all areas of the pitch.

Player to Look Out For

Mario Götze:

The Borussia Dortmund starlet has been described as one of the greatest talents Germany has ever produced. In the absence of Mesut Özil, Götze spearheaded a lethal German attack to a 3-2 victory over Brasil - a team Germany has not defeated in 18 years. The German wunderkind has an unmatched vision, pace, and a keen eye for goal. With such attributes, Götze poses the biggest threat to Mesut's throne as the number 10 of this German team.