The German Mentality Should Overcome France in the Semi-Finals

Three years ago, I interviewed Michael Ballack, owner of 98 caps for Germany and one of his country’s greatest-ever players, and I asked him why they always perform so well at major tournaments. 

His face broke into a wide smile, and though his words might sound arrogant, they were delivered in a measured and matter-of-fact tone because they are impossible to argue with.

“As German players, we have something special inside us because of our football history, he said. "We know we have to win. It is what is expected, so we have a good focus, and we have good discipline both on and off the pitch.

“It really is just our mentality. We know our strengths, and we also know we are not the greatest team with the greatest players in the world. Other teams might be better to watch, but we are always focused on winning.” 

Since I spoke with Ballack, Germany have won the World Cup for a fourth time, and on Thursday night, they will face hosts France in Marseille in an attempt to reach their seventh European Championship final.

Over the course of Euro 2016, Germany have borne out Ballack’s words; they have not been spectacular—or even pretty to watch—but driven by this “something special” and their winning mentality, they have been relentless in their pursuit of another international trophy.

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So far, this tournament has been about the flair of the French and the exciting emergence of Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet, the unexpected resilience of the Italians, those wonderful Iceland and Wales fairytales and Portugal reaching their second European Championship final.

No one has really noticed Germany at this tournament, but once again, here they are just a game away from the final.

This is possibly because Germany’s success has been built on their defence rather than anything particularly impressive in attack.

Over the course of 480 minutes at Euro 2016, they have yet to concede from open play; the only goal they have allowed past them so far has been the penalty scored by Italy in the quarter-finals.

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Marshalled by Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, Germany have offered scant hope to their opponents, and if they ever do manage to get past them, they still have to beat arguably the world’s best goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer.

This semi-final should provide a fascinating contest between Germany's defensive organisation and France's increasingly cavalier approach, which so far has brought them 11 goals and made them the tournament’s leading scorers.

Something has to give at the Stade Velodrome on Thursday night.

Germany, however, are not able to derive nearly as much confidence from their own stable of attackers. 

Mario Gomez is the only German who has scored more than one goal at Euro 2016, and he has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

This would be a good time for Thomas Muller, who has never scored at a European Championship, to start playing like his old self. So far, he has looked a long way short of his best, which was typified in how he tamely missed his spot-kick against Italy.

Of course, Germany might have triumphed over Italy on penalties, but don’t think that doing it in such a haphazard fashion won’t have dented their confidence.

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In their shootout win against the Azzurri, they managed to miss three penalties, which, incredibly, were the first ones Germany had failed to convert in a shootout at a major tournament for 34 years.

The world champions were left scarred by the win over Italy, losing Gomez and Sami Khedira to injury and Hummels to a ban.

Germany have strength in depth, but these are experienced players whose absences will make Die Mannschaft more vulnerable.

There is no natural replacement for the in-form Gomez, who had scored twice in his last three games, which leaves head coach Joachim Low with a dilemma.

Mario Gotze did not impress when he started Germany’s first two group-stage matches up front, and he can’t replicate Gomez’s muscular approach. Lukas Podolski would represent a serious downgrade, and Muller up front on his own lacks enough presence. 

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In midfield, the absence of Khedira means Bastian Schweinsteiger will likely fill the gap alongside Toni Kroos, but the Manchester United man has played little football in recent months. 

But despite these problems, this is Germany; they usually find a way to win knockout games at tournaments.

As Ballack memorably testified, Germany are always bigger than the players they field; it is their overriding mentality, confidence and focus that wins tournaments.

The prize on Thursday is likely to be too big for this trusted mentality to malfunction: a place in the final, where they would be strong favourites to overcome Portugal.

Facing France inside a vibrant and expectant Stade Velodrome will be a severe test, but Germany should still have enough to secure their passage to Paris on Sunday night.