8) Neuer the sweeper

Just when many thought the libero was a relic of the past, Manuel Neuer has bought the role back into vogue. Not since the days of Colombia's Rene Higuita has a goalkeeper been so predisposed to charging out of his 18-yard box. The tactic has effectively provided Germany with an extra man in defence while reducing the threat of his team being caught on the counterattack. But while Neuer's brazen play has won widespread plaudits, not all are convinced of his methods. Franz Beckenbauer is one who believes the Bayern Munich stopper has at times left Germany exposed. "On occasions against Algeria [in the round of 16] things really did get dangerously close," Germany's former World Cup-winning captain and coach said. "If Neuer had been a fraction of a second too late, he might have seen a red card."

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