Müller is a great support player, but he will not carry a team. Hes not gonna take the ball and dribble at goal. There seems to be zero chemistry between Germany's attacking players and that hurts Müller a lot as he relies on service and on players making the right runs. Werner and Draxler felt like alien objects at times.
I mean, we could write a few paragraphs about pretty much every German player's performance in this match. If they all look out of sorts, assuming they haven't lost their ability to play overnight, then the problem is the team's setup and/or their attitude - both of which go back to the manager. And yes it's fair to talk about attitude. Mexico played with great passion and intensity from the 1st minute, Germany was tentative and seemed surprised that Mexico was giving it a go. If you had watched the way Mexico talked the last week, you would not have been surprised to see them do that..yet I think Bierhoff after the match conceded that Mexico surprised them in their approach.
So much to this. Could not agree more. Muller of course worked best when he was around sublime movements by any of Ozil, Klose, Schwieni, Khedira, Lahm forwarding the ball and it was the combination and orchestration that worked. Much tighter unit.
The difference is this version is not a team. Its a transition team in time.
I don't really think Germany was surprised Mexico gave it a go. Look at the concern etched in the faces of Kroos, Boateng, Muller, Ozil before the game even began. To me the game proceeded exactly as I thought going in. Unfortunately I felt Mexico would win. (Stated in the Oilers board) and from the first minute on Germany was overwhelmed with the pressure. It recalled in instants what Germany did to Brazil pressuring turnovers all over the pitch. Germany did have difficulty matching intensity and Mexico clearly wanted it more.
Ironically the most overconfident Germans appeared to be the ones that had no right to be. Werner, Kimmich, Drexler. They played as if they expected Mexico would part easily.
btw the bolded is also why Mario Gomez has never really fit on this squad. No real sync with the core of the club plus lacking finish in WC play.