Well, my friends told me the same. First half was okay, maybe good. But imo second half our team just stood around too much and moved without passion. Denmark played definitely well, but it was pretty close for Germany by the end of the game before Bender scored. I expected more passion, more fight.
Lars Bender is a guy from Leverkusen, my favourite football club and he is a very hard worker, usually in defensive midfield. His fitness results were the best in the whole team. Yes it's true, he never really played on that right defender position. Schmelzer is not bad, but he is not a great player. As a lot of players from Dortmund they just fit in the perfect system of the club. No need for too much skills, they have their role and they can play it. Schmelzer tends to make mistakes here and there. Bender is generally the better player and is very versatile. Putting him there was imo the right decision. He can't replace Boateng though. Boateng on the right side is better than in the middle at munich. Imo one of the best defenders in the world atm.
The goal was awesome for Bender btw, felt so happy ! Schürrle is the second Leverkusen player and he is awesome. Imo he's even better than Podolski (I like Poldi too though) offensively. Defensively Podolski is working very hard lately and does it as much as Schürrle, Schürrle is a very hard worker and just seems to be more agile offensively atm, but has less experience and does not fit the system as well as Poldi does when we hit a tough enemy. Podolski and Schürrle are quite equal in my opinion, with slightly different roles.
Regarding your question. Lahm does not like to play on the right. Tried before, but it did not end too well. It's still an option, but Schmelzer is only a replacement in the German team. Höwedes would probably have been the choice before Schmelzer if Bender would not have been avaiable. Löw does not like to let Lahm play on the right and tries to prevent it if possible. Also, Podolski and Lahm support each other very well on the left flank, especially in defense. Probably a major reason.
We have so awesome palyers on the bench. No other team in the world has such a good bunch of 23 players. Götze and Reus are awesome players, would rule the game in every other team, but German midfield is so strong already. The will get their shots in the future. Anyway, Müller does not impress me lately, he is still hyped by his 2010 play. Imo Reus should get a chance to play. Götze does not fit the system atm. Despite having such a great team I doubt we are going to win the Euros, but who knows...
