I’m here at the Algarve Cup tournament in Portugal, and we have a couple NSCAA Master Coach candidates in attendance. Sam Laity offered up a match analysis of the Germany v Finland game for Soccer Science. Enjoy!

Germany vs. Finland – Feb 27th, 2010
Algarve Cup, Portugal
By Sam Laity, NSCAA 2010 Master Coach candidate

German engineering at it’s best. Well organized, efficient, effective committed team that played with a presence from start to finish in this game. The Germans played with great confidence and belief that allowed them to build rhythm and momentum early in the game. They dominated the Finish early on with direct running and distribution that, we’re it not for the abilities of the Finish goalkeeper, who was arguably man of the match, this game would have been out of reach in the first 10 minutes.

What was special about this German team? Well, almost everything! The two outside midfielders played high and wide in possession, moving the formation from a 4-4-2 to a 2-4-4 and as a result causing the Finish back four constant problems dealing with diagonal balls driven in behind their shape. The Germans, far from being one dimensional, offered creative and instinctive flank play that left the Finish players look at their bench for support! Sadly for them, that didn’t materialize and the Germans simply took a grip of the game in a big way. The Finish teams lack of pressure on the ball turned this into a crossing and finishing activity early in the second half. Three goals in four ruthless minutes by the Germans turned this a no-contest in the 65th minute. Final score, Germany 7 – Finland 0

The picture below shows the Finish defense confronted with four runners in the German attack. This was a constant threat through-out the game for the Finish who never adapted to the Germans direct but purposeful approach.

View Original Post at amandavandervort.com

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