A rejuvenated France locks horns with a German side that has looked far from convincing in Rio de Janeiro for a spot in the semi -final of the 2014 Fifa World Cup. Both the side come into the match with contrasting forms and this encounter is certain to be the pick of all the quarter final matches that are to be played in Brazil.
FRANCE: Didier Deschamp’s men have well and truly buried the ghost of the 2010 World Cup with some dazzling performance in Brazil. France have found their lost vigour and Deschamps has been credited with turning the fortunes of Les Bleus by bringing discipline to the side and wielding the axe on the underperformers . This was evident with his handling of Paul Pogba who returned to the side against the Nigerians a different player after his brawl in the opening match of the tournament. Karim Benzema is again expected to start the match ahead of Olivier Giroud assisted by Greizmann and Valbuena . The industrious Blaise Matuidi, who has grown in stature in the World Cup, would be hoping for his good form to continue against the Germans.
GERMANY: The German have not hit the heights they were expected to reach in the tournament and their style of play has drawn flak from the German media back home. Coach Joachim Loew was criticised for playing snail paced defenders higher up the pitch against the Algerians who looked good every time there was a long ball played into the German half. If not for the heroics of goal keeper Manuel Neuer, the Germans might well have ended the match on the loosing side. The positioning of skipper Phillip Lahm in the central midfield has not benefited the side and Loew must find a way to accommodate Sami Khedira into the playing eleven and push Lahm back to the fullback role. Mesut Ozil has looked lethargic and out of sorts at times in the tournament and his spot is under threat from Andre Schurrle.
PREDICTED LINE UPS
FRANCE: H Loris, P Evra, M Sakho, R Varane, B Sagna, B Matuidi, P Pogba, A Griezmann, M Valbuena, K Benzema
GERMANY: M Neuer, M Hummels, P Lahm, P Mertesacker, J Boateng, T Kroos, B Schweinsteiger, S Khedira, T Muller, M Ozil, M Gotze
PREDICTION: The match looks set to be a nerve wrecking cliff hanger with both sides having quality players but the Germans just might prevail at the end.
FULL TIME : GERMANY 2 FRANCE 1
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