European Football Championship 2008: Gomez steals the show

German supporters could be excused for a sense of déjà vû. In another game against one of the co-hosts of this summer’s European Championships, there was another convincing win and, with it, one more clean sheet for Joachim Löw’s tournament hopefuls.

Moreover, Low saw a return to form for his strikers, with youngster Mario Gomez particularly impressing with a double that is sure to see him climb the Castrol Performance rankings.

A month ago Germany were pilloried for a poor first-half performance against Austria, but three, second-half goals made up for their slow start, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Gomez all finding the net. In Switzerland, the list of scorers had a familiar ring, but this time the visitors enjoyed a much faster start – and hammered home their superiority with an electrifying goal blitz after the interval.

The Castrol stats show that Germany dominated the first quarter of an hour against the Swiss, with 70 per cent of the possession and five shots on goal. It was a period that failed to produce a goal, however, and gave Switzerland a chance to build confidence. But after 24 minutes the Germans did break the deadlock. Gomez, starting alongside Klose at the expense of Lukas Podolski, tried his luck from a tight angle; his effort was well-parried by the Switzerland stopper, Diego Benaglio (further enhancing his burgeoning reputation following his fine performance against England last month), but the 24-year-old could do little to prevent Klose from ending his recent goal drought. It’s a goal that will boost Klose’s 1687 points – but as it came from close range and as a result of a goalkeeping parry, the points increment will be reduced.

DOMINANT… BUT SHOT SHY

Switzerland were brought to life by going a goal behind, and for half an hour had the lion’s share of the ball, with 70 per cent of the possession. Following a closely fought battle in the middle of the park – encapsulated by Germany’s Michael Ballack and Gelson Fernandes, who covered the most ground with 11,818 and 11,730 metres respectively – the home side took charge, as illustrated by that 70 per cent figure. Their failure, however, to make the most of that possession, or convert any of their 10 shots on goal, will be a cause for concern.

KILLING THE GAME OFF

Having bided their time, Germany added a second goal 28 minutes from time that effectively ended the Swiss challenge. Clemens Fritz caught Tranquillo Barnetta in possession, laid on a slide-rule pass to Gomez, and the youngster fired home from the edge of the area despite pressure from the Swiss defence.

Just five minutes later, two became three. Podolski, on as a second-half substitute for Bayern team-mate Klose, seized the ball on the half-way line; the 22-year-old released Gomez again, and the VFB Stuttgart youngster ran the length of the Switzerland half before sliding the ball home from just inside the box. It was an impressive brace that is sure to see him climb the Castrol Performance rankings – not to mention push Löw for a regular starting place.

Germany’s fourth goal only served to further enhance Podolski’s position in the rankings’ upper echelons. After a neat one-two with fellow sub Kevin Kuranyi, Podolski rounded Benaglio and fired home past Steven von Bergen’s despairing dive on the line; a tricky goal, it guarantees an impressive addition to his points tally.

CLEAN SHEET BONUS

In the goalkeeper rankings, Jens Lehmann’s performance is sure to consolidate his position just behind top stopper Gregory Coupet. A clean sheet will aid his cause, and having had 10 shots to deal with will also improve his points tally. In contrast, it’s debatable whether Benaglio did enough to keep his place ahead of Pascal Zuberbühler, despite preventing Germany from adding further to their scoreline. The rankings will reflect a performance in which his decision-making came under scrutiny (especially for the first and fourth goals), detracting from his Castrol score.

For more news on the European Football Championship 2008 please visit http://www.castrolindex.com

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