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Close from Musiala!

Close from Musiala!

48′ Switzerland 1-0 Germany

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is known for being a clever tactician. And it is fascinating seeing how Germany are setting up.

Early in the half, attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala were playing as central strikers (or false nines), with No 10 Ilkay Gundogan and nominal striker Kai Havertz stretching the pitch out very wide.

Toni Kroos dropped from midfield to left centre-back, allowing full-backs Mittelstadt and Kimmich to get high with chalk on their boots, and Robert Andrich the sole midfielder patrolling the centre of the pitch.

Then the picture changed and Kroos raced back into the midfield, waving Mittelstadt backwards with his arms. Fascinating to a football nerd like me, at least.