Last 8 of the world cup teams
will start battling to make it last four from today. For next two days, 8 teams
will have to play their games with their highest capability with senses sharp.
Of course the first fixture itself is being the mouth watering game which will
be played by European Heavy weights Germany and France.Germany
will play their 13th semi final if they win this game and also they
will create a record of reaching 4 semi finals in a row. In past Germany has
reached 3 semifinals in a row 3 times. France if they win this game it will be
their 5th Semi finals in world cup history. Germany being 3 time
winner will try to win this game to push harder for their 4th star.
Germany last won the world cup in 1990.
Game: Germany vs
France
Time: 9:30 PM IST,
4th July Friday (1300 HRS Brazil time)
Venue: Estadio do
Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
How teams are lined
up (Possible one)
Germany
Formation: 4-3-3
Team: Neur (GK);
Boateng – Mertesacker – Hummels – Howedes; Kroos – Lahm – Scheiwnsteiger; Ozil –
Mueller – Podolski
Bookings: Lahm and
Howedes one booking away from Suspension.
France
Formation: 4-3-3
Team: Lloris: Debuchy
– varane – Sakho – Evra; Matuidi – Cabaye – Pogba; Greizmaan – benzema –
Valbuena
Bookings: Mauidi ,
Pogba, Cabaye and Evra one booking away from Suspension.
Road to Quarter
finals
Germany:
Group stages: Won 2 (Against Portugal 4-0 and Against USA
1-0) and Drew 1 (Against Ghana 2-2)
Round of 16’s: Won against Algeria 2-1
France:
Group Stages: Won 2 (Against Honduras 3-0 and Against Swiss
5-2) and Drew 1 (Against Ecuador 0-0)
Round of 16’s: Won against Nigeria 2-0
Today’s
match will be an acid test for both the teams in order to progress further and
make it to last 4. This match will also be the revisit of the famous 1982 Semi
finals where France was eliminated by Germany in Penalties after both teams
scored 3 goals each. France will try hard to make it to semis and so will
Germany today. Tactically France has been playing their favorite free flowing football
which has been their key to success in this world cup and on the other Hand
TIKA TAKA type of football played by Germany seems to be unusual and doesn’t
suit them as such though they won their matches and made it to last 8. The Key
battle in the match will be in the middle of the park where Both French as well
as German Midfield will face each other. Its advantage Germany in the midfield
as the players has been in good touch and has been able to contain the opponent
and retain possession. Another Key area will be Forward vs Defense. France has
not been tested by fierce or free flowing attack during this world cup so they
might find it difficult to contain Ozil, Mueller and Podolski today, But if the
French can contain Lahm and Kroos to Center of the park then the flow of passes
to German forward can be cut down. On the other hand, French forwards have been
hell bent on Paul Pogba for the supply and today he will hold the key for
France. With Giroud unlikely to play and Greizmaan to make it to starting 11,
the Accuracy of pogba and Pace of greizmaan with Benzema shooting will hold Key
to success for the French Side. If we didn’t miss oen guy over here then it has
to German Stopper Neur. He has been Dubbed by Pundits as New age Beckenbeur –
Maier Combination who can come out stop of his upto 30 yards to sweep and stop
the attack.
Negatives:
Germany: as reported at least 7 players have been infected
with Flu which might be key.
France: Defense seems to be shaky to fast opponents and
concede fouls in danger areas.
Substitutes:
France: Sissokho , Luke remy and Giroud who might come in
late to influence the game for France
Germany: Likely are Klose, Khedira and Schurrle. Schurrle
has been dubbed as super sub who influenced the team twice in last 4 fixtures
so he again holds the key.
Predictions:
Game likely to go to Haywire (may be I am wrong). Equal chances for both Teams to win the game with Germany
holding the edge on the paper.
--
Venkats
Twitter: @vnktabi
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