World Cup needs risk-takers, says Klinsmann

(COMBO) This combination of file photos created on December 16, 2022, shows France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) in Doha on November 26, 2022; and Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 3, 2022. – Argentina will play France in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match in Doha on December 18, 2022. (Photo by Franck FIFE and Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP)

Former World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann said the tournament in Qatar has shown the need for risk-taking players such as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.

Mbappe and Messi, the leading scorers with five goals apiece, will go up against each other at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when defending champions France meet Argentina.

Klinsmann, who won the trophy with West Germany in 1990, said it was vital to have players who could unlock defences.

“You need to have players capable of going one against one, players who can get past defenders,” Klinsmann, a member of FIFA’s technical study group, said on Saturday.

“Be risky, be courageous, because the middle of the field is so well-organised.”

The trend of teams crowding central areas has led to a sizeable uptick 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 last 16, as an example of a team who paid the price for a lack of a cutting edge.

Despite monopolising possession and attempting more than 1,000 passes, Spain had just one shot on goal over 120 minutes against a stubborn Morocco.

“That style only works if you have efficiency in the box and score goals,” said Klinsmann.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s football development chief, said Spain lacked a killer