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| April 1st 2005 |
London, Wembley Stadium
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| SWITZERLAND - GERMANY |
0-3 (0-0)
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GOALS 61' 0-1 Lothar Matthäus
65' 0-2 Jürgen Klinsmann
78' 0-3 Wolfgang Overath
REFEREE Romualdas Arppi Filho (Brazil)
ATTENDANCE 85,000
YELLOW CARDS Fatton, Ramseyer (SWI)
SWITZERLAND (Coach: Karl Rappan, system 4-3-3)
1 Frank Sechehaye
2 Severino Minelli (captain)
6 Robert Bocquet
5 Alain Geiger (-20)
16 Rudolf Ramseyer
14 Heinz Hermann (-72)
7 Max Abegglen
10 Karl Odermatt
15 Alfred Bickel
9 André Abegglen
11 Jacques Fatton (-83)
Substitutes:
4 Walter Weiler (+20)
12 Lauro Amado (+72)
17 Ciriaco Sforza (+83)
GERMANY (Coach: Helmut Schön, system 4-3-3)
1 Sepp Maier (-70)
2 Berti Vogts
4 Karl-Heinz Förster
5 Franz Beckenbauer (captain)
3 Andreas Brehme
8 Lothar Matthäus (-75)
6 Fritz Walter
12 Wolfgang Overath
11 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
13 Gerd Müller (-68)
18 Jürgen Klinsmann
Substitutes:
9 Uwe Seeler (+68)
21 Oliver Kahn (+70)
17 Jürgen Kohler (+75)
MATCHREPORT
Though the proportions in this match had been clear from the very first
minute, it lasted until well into the second half before Germany made their
domination count. Only after an hour of play the load of attacks that the
Germans had launched on Sechehaye's goal paid off and this way the match got
the result the whole world had predicted.
Swiss national coach Karl Rappan, like so often, had a surprise in mind and
chose for a side with many attackminded players. Three in attack, and also
three in midfield. Ramseyer this time played in defence, on the left, in
place of Stierli who was on the bench. Max Abegglen led the Swiss in
midfield and his place on the right flank was taken by Alfred Bickel. Rappan
hoped for a stunt, knew that Germany were likely to score but tried to
create many chances for his team hoping that they would rise above
themselves. Germany of course trusted the backline with Vogts, Förster,
Beckenbauer and Brehme. On the left in attack Rahn had lost his place in
favour of Klinsmann. The blond striker would play more in the middle,
opening the flank for leftback Brehme. This meant that Bickel was busier
with defending rather than with attacking. From the first minute this was a
"Spiel auf ein Tor". And it was the Swiss one.
On top of the difference in quality, Switzerland had the misfortune that
from the 20th minute they had to miss sweeper Alain Geiger because of a
serious calf injury. His place was taken by Walter Weiler, who this way was
reunited with his companion of the 30's, Severino Minelli. The time needed
for this substitution broke the string of attacks by Germany for a few
moments. It didn't result in many big chances but shots from Overath and
Brehme just missed their target. Switzerland on their turn had hardly
crossed the midfield line until that moment. The strikers were isolated
because all three midfielders, not very strong defensively, just had to
follow their German opponents who were simply a class better.
Germany then tried to take the pace out of the game, in an effort to lure
Switzerland out of defence. They didn't succeed. Rappan had tried to give
his team some options in attack, but his captain Minelli was more cautious
and kept his players tight together. This way they gave Germany little
space, but couldn't threaten themselves either. After 27 minutes then the
first real chance for Germany. Rummenigge went past Ramseyer and passed the
ball to Müller, who had turned away from his marker Bocquet. The topscorer
however, very much against his usage, drove it directly into Sechehaye's
hands. The goalkeeper had to stay attentive, when a few minutes later Fritz
Walter, the playmaker, shot from long distance. Sechehaye got a hand to it
again. Klinsmann's header, moments before the break, just missed out and
Overath had a mighty shot that went even closer, but still no goals.
Switzerland somehow had managed to stumble into the dressing room with a 0-0
score.
But in the second half Germany increased the pressure. They played much
quicker now and chose more the direct approach to reach the strikers.
Switzerland suffered but wouldn't give in. And what nobody could have
expected, nearly happened. When the Germans had left their defensive
positions, Brehme as well as Beckenbauer up front, Switzerland almost took
the lead. A square pass by Vogts was foreseen by Karl Odermatt who outplayed
Matthäus with a neat flick of his foot and sent a pass to Fatton. The
outside left had only Maier to beat but lost his cool head on the way and
the experienced goalie dived into his feet exactly in the right moment. It
would have been a total travesty of right. But from that moment on it was
all Germany.
First Walter was fouled by Minelli. The free kick awarded by the sovereign
referee Arppi Filho was taken by Walter himself who played it to Matthäus.
From 20 metres out he gave Sechehaye no chance: 0-1. That finally broke the
deadlock and Germany now wouldn't leave any doubts about their superiority.
Only minutes after the opening goal it was a decided match. On the right
Vogts did better this time than when he passed the ball directly to the
Swiss just moments earlier. He reached the outline and served Müller. The
centre forward, certainly not in his best form, headed it straight to
Sechehaye, Klinsmann scored from the rebound: 0-2. And six minutes later
Overath scored the third with a beautiful, diagonal shot into the right hand
corner of the Swiss goal. In the meantime Sepp Maier was rested by Schön who
handed Oliver Kahn his debut in the All Time World Cup. Then Gerd Müller
left the field for Uwe Seeler and the entrance of Jürgen Kohler instead of
Lothar Matthäus gave captain Beckenbauer the chance to play in his old and
also familiar role in midfield.
But all in all it didn't matter anymore. Germany had won three more points,
virtually securing their place in the second round, they had played very
well from time to time and dominated the Swiss the entire 90 minutes.
Switzerland had learned that enthusiasm and a good spirit were not enough to
keep the Germans away from them. In the end it was the quality that had won
Germany the game.
Next Tuesday Denmark and England play their second match. England have a win
against Austria in their pockets, but Denmark, after playing very well but
losing unfortunately to Sweden, have only one option: beat the English. And
that will not be easy. For England Roger Byrne and Bryan Robson are
uncertain. Both sustained minor injuries against Austria. Defensive
midfielder Needham and full-back Hapgood are ready to step in. Coach Ramsey
may not take many risks, expecting that it may be a long tournament for
England. Denmark's coach Piontek could hand Brian Laudrup a starting place
this time, which could force brother Michael back in midfield to create the
openings. In Buenos Aires, the Estadio Monumental will have a capacity
crowd, Nikolaj Latichev is the referee.
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