DOHA: former World Cup winner Jürgen Klinsmann said the tournament in Qatar showed the need for players who take risks such as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Mbappe and Messi, the top scorers with five goals each, will face off at the Lusail stadium on Sunday when defending champions France meet. Argentina.
Klinsmann, who won the trophy with West Germany in 1990, said it was essential to have players who could unlock defences.
“You need to have players who can go one-on-one, players who can get past defenders,” Klinsmann, a member of FIFA’s technical study group, said on Saturday.
“Be risky, be brave, because the midfield is so well organised.”
The tendency of teams to group together in central areas has led to a huge increase in the number of goals scored from crosses (45) – almost double the total (24) from the previous World Cup in Russia.
Klinsmann cited Spain, who crashed out to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16, as an example of a team that paid the price for a lack of a lead.
Despite monopolizing the ball and attempting over 1,000 passes, Spain only managed one shot on goal in 120 minutes against a stubborn Morocco.
“That style only works if you’re effective in the box and scoring goals,” Klinsmann said.
Former Arsenal manager Arsène WengerFIFA’s head of football development said Spain lacked a killer touch in Qatar.
“They have to play in positions where they are not strong enough. But Spanish football will come back,” he said.
“The characteristics of modern football are that everyone defends and attacks. The explosive side…running to get behind the defensive line without the ball is very important,” he added.
Wenger said France and Argentina had adapted well to the demands of the World Cup, praising the South Americans’ response after a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opener.
“Long balls were used a lot to get past defenders and pace played a big part,” Wenger said.
“France and Argentina are two teams that have learned quickly.
“It’s never easy to go to the final after losing the first game. The coach quickly found the right balance in the team in the second game.”
Mbappe and Messi, the top scorers with five goals each, will face off at the Lusail stadium on Sunday when defending champions France meet. Argentina.
Klinsmann, who won the trophy with West Germany in 1990, said it was essential to have players who could unlock defences.
“You need to have players who can go one-on-one, players who can get past defenders,” Klinsmann, a member of FIFA’s technical study group, said on Saturday.
“Be risky, be brave, because the midfield is so well organised.”
The tendency of teams to group together in central areas has led to a huge increase in the number of goals scored from crosses (45) – almost double the total (24) from the previous World Cup in Russia.
Klinsmann cited Spain, who crashed out to Morocco on penalties in the round of 16, as an example of a team that paid the price for a lack of a lead.
Despite monopolizing the ball and attempting over 1,000 passes, Spain only managed one shot on goal in 120 minutes against a stubborn Morocco.
“That style only works if you’re effective in the box and scoring goals,” Klinsmann said.
Former Arsenal manager Arsène WengerFIFA’s head of football development said Spain lacked a killer touch in Qatar.
“They have to play in positions where they are not strong enough. But Spanish football will come back,” he said.
“The characteristics of modern football are that everyone defends and attacks. The explosive side…running to get behind the defensive line without the ball is very important,” he added.
Wenger said France and Argentina had adapted well to the demands of the World Cup, praising the South Americans’ response after a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opener.
“Long balls were used a lot to get past defenders and pace played a big part,” Wenger said.
“France and Argentina are two teams that have learned quickly.
“It’s never easy to go to the final after losing the first game. The coach quickly found the right balance in the team in the second game.”
