Germany 4-2-3-1 (Schult – Hendrich, Hegering, Doorsun, Simon – Dabritz, Leupolz – Gwinn, Maroszan, Huth – Popp)

China 4-4-2 (Peng – Han, Lu, Lin, Liu – Lou, Zhang, Yao, Gu – Wang Sh Sh, Yang)

Those expecting a procession were left disappointed as Germany struggled to break down a resolute China side. Generally controlling possession (they ended up with 58%), the Germans had Leupolz drop deep between the two centre-backs when building out from the back. This was done to give them numerical superiority against China’s two-man first line of defence. While it gave them the stability of a numerical advantage and allowed them to progress beyond or around China’s front two, Germany found it difficult to move the ball through the thirds effectively.

China’s defensive setup was the primary reason behind Germany’s struggles. Defending in a zonal mid/low block, China looked to compress the centre. They kept their shape well, showing good compactness which made them tough to play through. They were also extremely aggressive, getting stuck in to any 50/50 opportunity and consistently leaving something on their opponents. This combination of organisation and physicality stultified and visibly frustrated the Germans.

While they initially sat off, China’s strikers were quick to step up and press Germany’s centre-backs on certain triggers (such as poor sideways passes between them). And, if and when they regained possession through pressing, China counter-attacked quickly in transition. They played with directness, with several players instantly attacking the spaces available and forward passes being made.

China were also very direct when they had organised possession. They didn’t even attempt to penetrate Germany, focusing primarily on playing long balls from back to front. Wang offered a good aerial presence to target with these long balls – she looked to flick on or chest down to a teammate, but even if she didn’t win the first ball, she at least disrupted the German centre-backs’ ability to win clean headers and clear their lines. This directness continued if China went around the outside of Germany’s defensive block, with their full-backs playing early diagonal passes into the feet or head of a striker.

Germany were at times able to stretch the Chinese defensive line and exploit opening space in the channels between defenders with their front four. Dribbles and runs in behind by the wingers, particularly Huth, often looked their most dangerous attacking aspect. However, overall there was a worrying lack of cohesion to their play.