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Although Algeria had excited against South Korea, the expectation here was that they would revert back to the defensive strategy shown in their opening game against Belgium. A dull cat and mouse affair awaited as the sterile Germans passed and passed around the heavily-staffed Algerian defence. Instead, they became the first team to really expose the German fragility (although Ghana made a reasonable effort). Vahid Halilhodzic once again made a number of changes from the Algerian team that drew with Russia, while Shkodran Mustafi came in for the ill Mats Hummels Mario Gotze returned for Germany after the win over the United States. Algeria were strong defensively. They sat back in their own half and welcomed Germany forward, tracking them deep and communicating excellently to ensure there was no gaps, but they were also proactive in winning back the ball. There were obvious triggers for Algerian players to press intensely – a heavy touch or awkward body shape from a German player would result in a swarm of Algerian players seizing on the opportunity to ****** the ball back. Germany were squeezed out of the game in possession, whereas Algeria dealt far better with the German pressing – partly through […]
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