BENZEMA AND MULLER ANALYSIS
KARIM BENZEMA v THOMAS MULLER ANALYSIS
GOAL THREAT
Benzema had a greater number of chances but failed to make the most of any of them. He volleyed his first sight of goal wide when he should have hit the target and that set the tone for the rest of his game. He chose the wrong option with his final shot of the game and was comfortably denied.
Muller, moved out to the right to accommodate Miroslav Klose, had barely any opportunities apart from one complete mis-kick late in the second half.
INFLUENCE
Benzema, as France's out-and-out front man, was heavily reliant on the service to make an impact and there were very few times he was put in a position to test goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. He even started to have the opposite effect when he took a chance off the toes of Mathieu Valbuena.
By virtue of his change of role Muller was not as penetrative as he had been previously playing as a centre-forward but he was always available as an outlet and offered options coming inside off the flank which kept full-back Patrice Evra occupied.
WORK-RATE
With Germany's defence excellently marshalled by Mats Hummels, France needed Benzema to stretch the back four to open up space but having been handed back a central role after being shifted out wide - previously to accommodate Olivier Giroud - he seemed reluctant to run the channels.
By contrast Muller was relentless in his running both up and down the flanks and pressing from the front when required.
