And there are plenty of doubters. Former United States boss Klinsmann had courted significant controversy and criticism since he was appointed just under a year ago, and while much of it was pointed towards off-field matters such as his external commitments and not basing himself in Korea as he said he would, there were persistent concerns surrounding his tactics and approach. These bore out across a series of adverse results early in his tenure — a winless run of several months that ended with a 1-0 win over a pre-Mancini Saudi Arabia at St James’ Park — and are now returning like an unwelcome cloud.
No team had more of the ball in the group stage than South Korea — averaging 72.7% possession and with a competition-leading 6.6 passes per defensive action. And no team had more shots on target. But for all this statistical dominance, they have struggled to score from open play — managing to do so just once against Malaysia, despite 82% possession — haven’t kept a clean sheet yet and are statistically the equal-worst defensive unit to progress to the knockouts, with six goals conceded. Indeed, the 2-2 win against Jordan in the group stage only arrived when defender Yazan Al-Arab inadvertently turned the ball into his net in the 91st minute.
It’s against this backdrop that Klinsmann must arrest this slide against an old foe, albeit on a new setting. For while his time in Asian football only began with his appointment to the Korea job, the German’s history with Mancini stretches back decades.
It was the opening game of Euro 1988 at the Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf where the two first met on the international stage, West Germany opening the tournament against Italy in what, up to now, was the only time the pair had faced off in a competitive international fixture. Both men started up front that day, with Mancini opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw. They would also have several meetings at club level over the years and play other international friendlies against each other, even coming close to becoming teammates in 1997 when Klinsmann joined Sampdoria briefly in 1997, just after Mancini left to follow Sven-Göran Eriksson to Lazio.
Both 59 years old, Klinsmann is four months older than Mancini but their paths have yet to cross in the dugout until now.
“We played against each other many years ago in Italy,” said Mancini. “He was a very good striker and now he is a very good manager. He has a lot of experience with many national teams and clubs. He knows football very well.”
