By Chinedu laurel Okorodike (Aka Juanizy)
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Follow me on Twitter via @laureldpundit
and Instagram via @laureldpundit
Today's match between Nigeria and German will be a match between two high scoring side. Nigeria has pumped in 10 goals while Germany can boast of 19 goals
Do not concede too many free kicks or corners
Against a ‘weak’ Denmark team, the Dream Team conceded eight corner kicks but even though the Germans have scored 19 goals [10 against Fiji], they have not scored any from a direct set piece.
This does not mean that they would not start against Nigeria, because they are supposed to be technically suave and superior to their African opponents. The Germans are good in aerial balls, their players are physical and quite huge. Also Max Meyer and Serge Gnabry (who has scored two free kick) can punish us at any time through free kicks
Play a double pivot in midfield
Azubuike Okechukwu is suspended for the semi-final and we have lost Oghenekaro Etebo to injury, so the advise to Siasia would be to play right back, Usman Mohammed in Azubuike’s place and ensure that Mikel stays more defensively-minded. The coaching crew should expect to have less time on the ball as it was against Denmark but they must ensure that there are no lone presses in midfield. When the team presses, all the players must press in unison, so as not to create gaps through which the Germans could exploit.
If we fail to do this, the Bender Brothers (Especially Lars Bender can punish us).They have taken command of the German midfield all through their matches so far.
Play with two central attackers
The Germans conceded five goals in their first two games and if not for late heroics from Serge Gnabry, they would not have made it into the second round. So, there is a weakness in the central defensive pairing of Niklas Suele and Matthias Ginter, who showed against Mexico and Korea that they do not enjoy playing against direct runners. Siasia should play Sadiq Umar and Aminu Umar with Imoh Ezekiel on the left flank to expose this weakness and to always have numbers in the box when the Nigerian team attacks.
Be hungry to win the ball after losing it and be Discipline without the ball
It is not only important that the Dream Team know what to do on the ball but more importantly that they do not daydream without the ball. Running off the ball to create space for another teammate is a distinct feature of the modern game, so whether in possession or out of possession, the players need to cover the miles. They must also ensure that they match the Germans for intensity throughout all 90 minutes and extra time if needed.
One thing that the U-23 have showed consistently in the four games played in Brazil is the propensity to drop off – to let their rhythm slacken or diminish. Against one of the super powers, Siasia has to ensure that the message to stay alert and concentrated resonates with all the players.
This are just pieces of advice for the technical team even though they definitely know more about managing the game than we do but as Nigerians, who want something to cheer, we could not stand aside and do nothing. We wish this team the best of luck.
Finally attack from the wing......
I don't think we can match these Germans in the midfield. So I suggest we attack from the wing. This is because they don't have good full backs. If Imoh Ezekiel and Aminu Umar can get their acts together, they can cause problems for the Germans via the wings, as we can boast of fast and pacy wingers who could pull beautiful crosses or square plays for Sadiq Umar to cause first class damage.
Personally I have watched the full backs of the Germans that is led by Toljan and Sule they are not exceptional.We can over run them through the wings.
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