©Getty ImagesGermany have impressed this month
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer v Oliver Kahn – 0-1
Neuer is a great keeper and he is better than Kahn with the ball at his feet. However, Kahn was the undoubted best in the world a decade ago.
Neuer is a great keeper and he is better than Kahn with the ball at his feet. However, Kahn was the undoubted best in the world a decade ago.
Left-back: Philipp Lahm v Andreas Brehme – 0-2
This is a tough call. Lahm is a complete player and one of the most recognised full-backs in the world. However, so was Brehme, a forward-thinking defender ahead of his time, strong with both feet. Brehme gets the nod for his right-footed strike against the Netherlands in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and for converting the decisive penalty in Rome a week later.
This is a tough call. Lahm is a complete player and one of the most recognised full-backs in the world. However, so was Brehme, a forward-thinking defender ahead of his time, strong with both feet. Brehme gets the nod for his right-footed strike against the Netherlands in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and for converting the decisive penalty in Rome a week later.
Centre-back: Holger Badstuber v Jürgen Kohler – 1-2
Kohler was less a centre-back like Badstuber is today and more an old-fashioned man-marker. He was rated as one of the best defenders of his time, but his technical limitations may have been shown up today. Badstuber continues to improve and offers more of all-round package.
Kohler was less a centre-back like Badstuber is today and more an old-fashioned man-marker. He was rated as one of the best defenders of his time, but his technical limitations may have been shown up today. Badstuber continues to improve and offers more of all-round package.
©Getty ImagesMatthias Sammer was inspired at EURO '96
I know Sammer was a 'libero' for Germany but I would have liked him as centre-back in my all-time XI in order to help build the play from the back. Hummels, a revelation at this tournament, does much the same job, but Sammer' outstanding desire – which helped Germany to EURO '96 glory – takes the point here.
Right-back: Jérôme Boateng v Stefan Reuter – 1-4
This is considered one of the most competitive positions in the current Germany squad and I had problems selecting one from the past. Reuter's pace is what stands out but, ideally, I want a Lahm clone here.
This is considered one of the most competitive positions in the current Germany squad and I had problems selecting one from the past. Reuter's pace is what stands out but, ideally, I want a Lahm clone here.
©Getty ImagesLothar Matthäus exuded class for Germany
I am talking pre-libero Matthäus here, so please think of the dynamic version of 1990. I remember an Italian paper writing that he "looked like he had a body made of steel, of which the challenges of his opponents bounced off". Add his powerful shot with either foot into the mix and Matthäus, one of Germany's greatest midfielders, wins hands down.
Holding midfielder: Sami Khedira v Stefan Effenberg – 1-6
Effenberg's career with the Nationalmannschaft was not perhaps as successful as it might have been, but to pair him alongside Matthäus in midfield would have been sensational.
Effenberg's career with the Nationalmannschaft was not perhaps as successful as it might have been, but to pair him alongside Matthäus in midfield would have been sensational.
©Getty ImagesLukas Podolski scored on his 100th cap
Hässler was a great of the 1990s and almost universally admired for his skill and dribbling ability. Podolski's place in the current Germany side, according to some, is under threat, but I will give him the nod here thanks to his superior scoring record (44 in 100 games, compared to Hässler's 11 in 101) and added value in helping out in defence.
Attacking midfielder: Mesut Özil v Uwe Bein – 3-6
Bein looks a surprise pick but he was one of the deadliest passers I have ever seen and his ability to carve open a defence was second to none. However, Özil played a huge part in helping Real Madrid CF to win the Liga title last season at the expense of an FC Barcelona team which is widely seen as the best club side ever.
Bein looks a surprise pick but he was one of the deadliest passers I have ever seen and his ability to carve open a defence was second to none. However, Özil played a huge part in helping Real Madrid CF to win the Liga title last season at the expense of an FC Barcelona team which is widely seen as the best club side ever.
Right midfielder: Thomas Müller v Andreas Möller – 3-7
England fans can skip this paragraph. There have been some suggestions Möller never really lived up to his potential with Germany, but EURO '96 begs to differ. Twenty-nine goals in 85 caps is a decent return and his technique, pace and dribbling skills outshine Müller's (Marco Reus could be a competitor in a few years, though). The icing on the cake is the way in which he converted his penalty against England in THAT semi-final despite knowing he was suspended for the showpiece.
England fans can skip this paragraph. There have been some suggestions Möller never really lived up to his potential with Germany, but EURO '96 begs to differ. Twenty-nine goals in 85 caps is a decent return and his technique, pace and dribbling skills outshine Müller's (Marco Reus could be a competitor in a few years, though). The icing on the cake is the way in which he converted his penalty against England in THAT semi-final despite knowing he was suspended for the showpiece.
Striker: Mario Gomez v Miroslav Klose – 4-7
This is a fun one, as it is happening right now so it's a point for the current crop either way. Gomez has started three UEFA EURO 2012 games to Klose's one, but Klose's incredible quantity of goals at major tournaments make him the most lethal German striker I have seen in my lifetime, even better than Jürgen Klinsmann. My admiration for Gomez is no secret, but I will go for Klose, as I believe Joachim Löw will against Italy.
This is a fun one, as it is happening right now so it's a point for the current crop either way. Gomez has started three UEFA EURO 2012 games to Klose's one, but Klose's incredible quantity of goals at major tournaments make him the most lethal German striker I have seen in my lifetime, even better than Jürgen Klinsmann. My admiration for Gomez is no secret, but I will go for Klose, as I believe Joachim Löw will against Italy.
Final score: Germany 2012 4-7 My Germany legends
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