Germany’s World Cup campaign begins with a tough encounter against Portugal today, though they arrive in Brazil with confidence having won their past three encounters, not to mention every opening match of the tournament since 1990.
A standout first-round game, the Group G clash at Salvador’s Forte Nova arena will see Germany’s attractive mix of expert defence and sweeping attacks, led by the likes of Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller, come up against a Portugal side with goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal’s talismanic forward raised a collective sigh of relief in his home country earlier this week when he returned to the side after a troublesome knee injury to shine in a 5-1 friendly victory over Ireland.
Photo: Reuters
A thumbs up to journalists on Thursday confirmed he is fit.
Germany, semi-finalists in South Africa four years ago and favorites to top the group that also includes the US and Ghana, have had fitness boosts too.
Manuel Neuer, Germany’s No. 1 goalkeeper for four years, is set to start after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained last month, while Phillip Lahm has overcome an ankle injury and is to feature in a holding midfield role rather than his traditional rightback slot.
Bidding to end an 18-year title drought, Germany coach Joachim Loew has been slow to offer many other clues as to how his side will line up, but rightback Jerome Boateng is expected to play alongside Mats Hummels and Per Mertesacker, with Erik Durm and Benedikt Hoewedes battling for the leftback spot.
Lahm’s presence alongside Sami Khedira in midfield will allow Germany’s exciting attack force of Toni Kroos, Ozil and Lukas Podolski to join ranks with Mueller — top scorer at the 2010 World Cup — to keep Portugal’s defense busy.
With the heat and humidity a concern, Loew will likely turn to an abundance of talent on his bench, including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Goetze, early in the second half.
Portugal coach Paulo Bento has a fit squad after defender Pepe and midfielder Raul Meireles also shook off niggles. Rui Patricio is to start in goal, with the fiery Pepe and Bruno Alves marshalling energetic fullbacks Joao Pereira and Fabio Coentrao.
Joao Moutinho is to provide the craft in a three-man midfield that will look to use Ronaldo’s pace and power at every opportunity. Hugo Almeida and Silvestre Varela are to join Ronaldo in attack.
With the Netherlands thumping Spain 5-1 at the Forte Nova arena on Friday, goals may well rain down once more in Salvador today, with Germany having scored at least four times in four of their past six opening World Cup matches.
However, Portugal’s record of just one goal conceded in the group stage of the past two tournaments may prove a spoiler.
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