[!@#$%!]

i hate this kind of thing, but getting through draws is how anyone can get to the top of a tournament like this with some luck. not that i wish it-- not in the least-- but worse shit has happened before and portugal could squeak by with very little merit. i'm sick and tired of ronaldo closeups. but sanches is going to bayern!

haven't seen wales play so i don't know what to expect but i'll try not to miss tomorrow.

as for forwards, i know that mueller has been out of it this summer but he can be a very effective false 9/centerforward. more so than gomez who is a lumbering beast and can generally do only one thing.

can can (ha!) likely cover ably in the midfield, ably enough if not at the same level as the missing/injured players. there is no lack of midfielders in germany so they can swap places no problem i think. kroos could come down (he used to play that spot) and gotze go in behind mueller, for example. that would be a sweet combo if they drink their coffee that morning.

the real weak spot for germany is the lack of central defenders with hummels out. that's a burning hole, there. and yes, boateng is a beast, but griezmann made mincemeat of him at the champions league, so.... that should make things VERY interesting in that zone , unless loew really packs the defense somehow, but even then...