2010 FIFA World Cup: Breaking Down the Key Battles of Germany Vs. Spain

Games of this magnitude are rarely won by single players, but instead by a team outweighing the other in the amount of key victories on the pitch. 

There are some battles to relish in the upcoming semi-final game, and here I will examine the most important ones which could decide the game. 

Manuel Neuer vs David Villa/Iker Casillas vs Miroslav Klose

The two goalkeepers have been solid enough when called upon so far, but neither has been particularly busy. Expect that to change when the two form strikers of the tournament come up against them. David Villa and Miroslav Klose are on five and four goals respectively and have been red hot in these finals.

Both keepers will come up against a better calibre striker than they have faced, backed by a midfield particularly adept at picking out passes for him. With the form that they are in, if a chance comes to either, expect it to be finished.  

Iniesta vs Sami Khedira 

The two midfield lieutenants of their teams. Iniesta is an excellent attacking midfielder, able to beat a man with his dribbling while having passing skills to match. He is quick, but injury prone. Don't expect too much back tracking from this player, but he is an ever present threat going forward.

Sami Khedira is listed as a defensive midfielder, but he has been a box-to-box presence for the German midfield. His tackling is probably his strongest attribute, but do not underestimate his ability going forward. Many a defender has been surprised by a sudden Khedira run into their box. He will make life tough for the Spanish midfield.

Phillip Lahm vs. Sergio Ramos

These two players will be unlikely to see too much of each other on the field, but are probably competing for the title of worlds best right-back.

Phillip Lahm is pacy and calm and he has grown into his position as captain with relish. He is fantastic in the tackle, remarkably clean, and a threat going forward and overlapping with the right-winger. He has an amazing pass rate too, with around 80 percent of his passes finding their targets.

Sergio Ramos is a powerhouse. He is large and quick and he uses his impressive physical attributes to beat players through a mixture of pace and strength. He can be criticised for being overly offensive (a criticism he shares with Lahm) but he is a real threat coming down the right. He offers a physicality which is not shared liberally throughout the Spanish team.  

Xavi vs. Bastian Schweinsteiger 

Of the interesting match-ups on the pitch, this one is key. The last time these two met on the field Xavi was a passing machine, and Schweinsteiger was a light-weight winger. 

What a difference a couple of years make. 

Schweinsteiger, though young, has blossomed in a central midfield role with a maturity beyond his years. His reading of the game is seemingly flawless as is his possession. His retention of the skills of a winger means he can beat a man, and his midfield skills means he can then spot a pass and thread it through. He has bulked up and offers a genuine ability to defend, which combined with Khedira means the German midfield packs a punch. 

For all of his progression, there is still only one player that Schweinsteiger is likened to. That player is Xavi, the older passing master. Xavi is a brave and skillful midfielder, a favourite tactic is to kick him out of a game, but he has wonderful composure to avoid "clogger" players and his eye for a pass is probably in the top three in the world.

This is the decider, which midfielder will perform better. This is what will most likely decide this game, and it is too close to call. They are remarkably similar, tireless,  skillful and natural midfield generals. Neither of them could be called particularly fast, but their pure footballing instinct means that they do not need to be. 

Both are always available for a pass, and both can send a pass with inch-perfect accuracy.

This is a truly fascinating battle of wits and abilities, and the outcome could decide the game.

Are these the match-ups to look out for, or are there more pertinent ones I have missed? Let me know below.