2010 FIFA World Cup: A Review of Germany vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Joachim Loew is perhaps yet to decide on his starting eleven; but after today's friendly against Bosnia Herzegovina, he might have found some answers.

The Match:

Bosnia struck first through Edin Dzeko following a comical error by Philipp Lahm.  Lahm equalized in the second half by scoring a beautiful goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger then converted two spotkicks to give germany a 3-1 win in Frankfurt.

The Positives:

Germany created chances throughout the match. Sami Khedira might score a few goals in the World Cup if he gets his positioning correct in the box as he did today. Holger Badstuber defended well. Bastian Schweinsteiger played well. Mesut Ozil created chances and got on the end of some moves himself. 

Lukas Podolski seemed more like his old self today. He was excellent and was unlucky to be denied a goal by the cross-bar. Manuel Neuer looked good when called upon but had very little to do following Bosnia's opener.

Thomas Muller looked bright and quickly got involved in the game when he came on in the second half. Cacau looked bright but unfortunately didn't score today. Muller earned the second spotkick for Germany.

The Negatives:

Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker did not play poorly. Mertesacker had a 'lapse" he could have done without though. Friedrich needs to speed up a bit. Players with plenty of pace can easily create problems for Merte and Friedrich. It seems, though, that Joachim Loew will stick with these two players during the World Cup.

Khedira and Ozil missed plenty of chances in the first half. Germany don't have a finisher within their ranks- their only cool-headed finisher might have just lost his starting berth today- Miro Klose was substitued during half time for Muller.

Piotr Trochowski couldn't find a team mate on any occasion when passing the ball. His performance today was worse than his performance against Hungary. Trochowksi is always involved in his team's moves; but he seems to have lost a bit of his touch due to a rather sub-par season at Hamburg.

The deliveries from set-pieces were horrible. The freekicks either went flying to the stands or  the wall while the corners went out for goal-kicks.

The Marin Affair:

Joachim Loew must have something against Marko Marin that we don't know of if he doesn't start Marin in the World Cup. Marin is a brilliant player and he took the game by storm after he came on. He earned Germany's first penalty. He looked brilliant once again today; Joachim Loew shouldn't deny Marin a starting berth.

In Conclusion:

Joachim Loew might have a few more decisions to make; he however has some parts of his starting eleven decided. Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Khedira, Neuer, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Ozil and Podolski will definitely start in the World Cup.

Will Trochowski start or will his berth go to Marin. Who will take up the fourth spot in defence: Badstuber or Boateng? Will Miro Klose's spot go to Cacau or Muller or will the big man retain his place in Loew's line-up?

And finally, will Loew play a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1? All these questions will be answered on the 13th of June in South Africa.

Australia awaits with bated breath......