Timothy Weah faces a massive uphill battle to get playing time at Paris Saint-Germain. It’s not so much that the 18-year-old American hasn’t shown quality during his brief time in the French capital but the players ahead of him in the pecking order. But the Weah goal vs Bayern Munich on Saturday was strong proof of what the youngster can do when given a chance.
The summer 2018 transfer window is in full swing with plenty of money being splashed out on players by clubs looking to get the edge over their opponents. While some transfers do get confirmed, there are tons of rumors that float about. Some become fact, but many, many more become fiction.
He’s the bowl-cut donning, navy shirt wearing, finger-sniffing mastermind behind Germany’s masterful national team. Joachim Low is also the coach who showed up with an appalling team during this year’s World Cup. Before the World Cup, Low renewed his contract as manager till 2022, but after Germany’s embarrassing way out this year, speculations ran wild about Low’s premature departure.
Who could have foreseen this? Germany, the defending champion, had never been knocked out in the group stage, advancing in its previous 18 tournaments. Die Mannschaft won the 2017 Confederations Cup with ease. All that was needed was a win for Germany vs South Korea and Joachim Low’s men would have moved on to the next round.
Instead, it was a tepid 2-0 loss for Germany vs South Korea, sending the 2014 World Cup champion home with a last-place finish in Group F.
So, who could have foreseen this? Anyone who learns from history.
Mexico’s deserved 3-0 spanking at the hands of an exceptional Sweden side doesn’t matter. El Tri’s through to the Round of 16 thanks to one of the greatest upsets in the history of the World Cup. The defending champions are out, and they’ll long have nightmares of South Korea goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo, who made six saves on the day.
Had it not been for the last minute heroics of Toni Kroos, Germany would have nightmares of how agonizingly close Julian Brandt came to scoring in the second minute of stoppage time against Sweden.
Brandt, who plays as a winger for Bayer Leverkusen, entered the game in the 87th minute, and it didn't take long for him to make an impact.
Toni Kroos had an awful game for 90 minutes. But holy hell did he come through when his team needed him most. The Kroos goal vs Sweden saved Germany from near certain elimination, shooting from an impossible angle to give Die Mannschaft a 2-1 victory on Saturday.
Time after time, Germany has found itself shook by Mexico’s lightening pace on the break. If not for some more assured decisions in the final third, El Tri could’ve certainly opened the scoring before Hirving “Chucky” Lozano beat Manuel Neuer in the 35th minute.
No matter.
Mexico is playing some lovely stuff with Lozano taking the game to the much-heralded Joshua Kimmich, Hector Herrera hasn’t put a foot wrong in midfield and Chicharito looks sharp up top.
The opening goal was a microcosm of Mexico’s play on the whole. It’s been simply breathtaking at times.
After getting thumped 4-1 by Germany’s B team at the 2017 Confederations Cup, Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio has surprised many by selecting a forward-thinking starting XI against Die Mannschaft to begin El Tri's 2018 World Cup campaign.
A front three of Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Carlos Vela will look to get after Germany’s vaunted backline of Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and obvious “weak link” Marvin Plattenhardt. Usual left back Jonas Hector is reportedly sick.
It’s terrifying, really. Saudi Arabia thought it was set up well defensively, with the ball nearer to midfield than its own goal. But three touches later from three different Germans and the Saudis were picking the ball out of the back of their net. The ruthless nature of Germany vs Saudi Arabia on Friday perfectly illustrated just how strong the defending champions still are.