What is Japan's first league opponent, Germany?
4 times World Cup winner
Germany is ranked 11th in the world.
This is the team's 20th appearance in the 18th World Cup in a row, and they have won four times in the past, including when they were in West Germany.
At the 2014 tournament in Brazil, young players and veterans worked well together, and the strength of the team was enhanced. Thomas Müller scored five goals, and the team won the championship for the fourth time.
However, in the 2018 Russia tournament, where they were aiming for consecutive victories, they had a bitter experience as they were eliminated in the first round, even though they were listed as one of the favorites to win.
This year's team is made up of a wide range of generations, including the generation that has won the championship, the core generation of the team, and the young players.
This time the team
The head coach of the German national team is Hansi Flick.
For two years until 2021, he has been in command of Bayern Munich, the prestigious German first division league, and has won the European Champions League, Club World Cup, etc.
Many of the members of the German national team this time were players who had fought with Coach Flick at Bayern Munich.
characteristics of the battle
Germany's football, led by Flick, is characterized by an attacking style.
One of the characteristic plays is the "Gegenpress", which is synonymous with the German national team.
It is a tactic to press from a high position in the opponent's half and steal the ball within 5 seconds.
In addition to blocking the pass course in front of the opponent who has the ball, the surrounding players also close the gap with other opponents to reduce the pass course and steal the ball at once.
From there, he sets up a short counter and is good at aiming for a goal.
The key to the attack is the three midfielders
The 33-year-old Müller (left), a midfielder who plays under the top and is a veteran of four tournaments in a row, and Joshua Kimmich (center), both of whom play in the midfield, and Ilkay Ilkay, are the cornerstones of the attack. Three people, Gundogan (right).
The midfield triangle with Müller at the top can be said to be the heart of German football.
At the age of 20, Müller participated in the 2010 South Africa tournament, where he scored five goals to become the top scorer and won the 2014 Brazil tournament.
He also has the ability to make decisions and creates chances from accurate passes.
Kimmich is a player who can be said to be the rudder of the team, creating an offensive rhythm with accurate kicks and assists, and is an all-rounder who can score goals himself.
Gundogan is good at scoring goals from the midfield to the front, scoring five goals in the European qualifiers.
He is a highly skilled player with a good balance between offense and defense.
Also pay attention to the 19-year-old midfielder
This is not the only talent for the German national team.
The midfielder to watch is 19-year-old Jamal Musiara.
He is expected to make a breakthrough in this tournament, showing his ability to pass, dribble, and phantasmagorically.
While center forward Timo Werner is missing due to injury, Youssoufa Moukoko (left), who just turned 18 and is said to be "like Messi," and has scored 10 goals this season in the German first division. Niklas Fürkrug (right) was also selected for the national team for the first time at the age of 29.
Strong defense team
The German defense is also strong.
Captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the cornerstone of the German defense, making it to four tournaments in a row.
Played in seven matches in the final European qualifiers, showing an impregnable defense that did not concede a single goal, contributing to the acquisition of the right to participate in the World Cup.
In addition, he is a key player in the offense, contributing to the build-up with his accurate kicks.
Japan's match record
Japan has faced each other twice in warm-up games so far, with one loss and one draw.
In a match held in Yokohama in December 2004, the Japanese national team led by Zico at the time lost 0-3.
In May 2006, they drew 2-2.
Japan will be aiming for their first win in their first match of the first league on the 23rd, which will be their third match.