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Algeria will be looking to make history by beating Germany in this all important Round of 16 clash to progress to the quarter-finals. This match is billed as a revenge match for Algeria with the buildup focusing on the controversy caused around their 1982 World Cup exit at the hands of Germany. The game known as the 'Disgrace of Gijon', where West Germany plotted a 1-0 victory over Austria ensuring both the teams’ progression resulting in the elimination of Algeria even after they defeated West Germany 2-1.
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Die Mannschaft would be favourites heading into this tie as they have a formidable squad having also finished as winners in their group. However, coach Joachim Loew would be wary of the threat posed by the talented Algerian team who are capable of pulling of an upset on their day. It promises to be an engaging affair, whatever the final score line.
Venue
Estadio Beira-Rio or Estádio José Pinheiro Borda is is located on reclaimed land near the Guaiba River in Porto Alegre and gets its name ‘The Riverside Stadium’ from here. It is the biggest stadium in South Brazil and bears the nick-name “Gigante do Beira-Rio” or the The Giant of Beira-Rio. With a capacity of 43,394 this stadium had undergone extensive renovations to host matches for the 2014 FIFA World cup.
This ground has witnessed four group stage matches and all the matches have been high scoring affairs. 19 goals have already been scored and the last three matches have seen both teams involved scoring at least two goals. Hopefully, this ground again witnesses a high scoring pulsating affair tonight.
Kickoff
June 30 – 05:00 pm – Local Time (Brazil)
July 1st – 01.30 am – Indian Standard Time (IST)
Possible Starting lineups
Die Mannschaft are expected to head into the match with the same formation and tactics that have proven successful for them in the group stages. With Bastian Schweinsteiger back in the starting lineup alongside Phillipp Lahm, the midfield looks more composed and settled ensuring a disciplined cover for the defense and a creative influence for the front 4.
With no suspensions for this game, Loew would only have to deal with the absence of Lukas Podolski who suffered a thigh injury in the game against USA. Mario Gotze is most likely to come back to the starting lineup in place of the injured German star. Apart from that the team will remain mostly unchanged.
Germany (4-3-3): Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Hoewedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Kroos; Özil, Gotze, Müller
In comparison to Deutschland, the Algerian team does not have any injuries to deal with. They will go ahead with an unchanged lineup that drew with Russia in the final game of the group, except for the return of defender Madjid Bougherra into the starting XI if he is fit. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic would be expecting further heroics from this talented side if they are to have any chance of beating this highly talented Die Mannschaft side.
Algeria (5-3-2): Mbolhi; Belkalem, Bougherra, Halliche, Mesbah, Mandi; Bentaleb, Feghouli, Medjani; Slimani, Djabou
Key Facts
- Germany have lost both of their previous meetings with Algeria in all competitions, scoring once and conceding four times.
- Germany have reached the semi-finals of the last three World Cups. No nation has ever made the last four in four successive tournaments.
- Algeria have reached the knockout stage for the first time. This is their fourth World Cup.
- Algeria’s six goals have been scored by five different players. Only Colombia (6) had more scorers during the group stages of the World Cup than Algeria.
- Thomas Müller has scored nine goals in nine World Cup appearances, including four in three so far in 2014.
- If Miroslav Klose scores in the match, he will surpass Brazil's Ronaldo as the all-time top scorer at the World Cup with 16 goals.
Key Battles
Mesut Ozil vs Algerian defence
Ozil has been excellent for Germany in the group stages. With the likes of Muller, Gotze, Klose and others grabbing headlines, the ever present Ozil has been putting in some remarkable performances in the front three. As has been seen throughout the group stages, Loew would want Ozil to get the ball as much and as quickly as possible.
Ozil can drift from defenders, find pockets of space and his ability to interchange positions can create havoc for the Algerian defenders. If he is given time on the ball, his ability to dictate play will benefit the likes of Muller and Gotze to attack the Algerian goal. If Algeria want to get anything out of the game, their defence would have the all- important task of keeping Ozil quiet throughout the match.
Sofiane Feghouli vs Howedes
Like Die Mannschaft, Algeria offers an attacking brand of football that has seen them surprise teams like South Korea and Russia. At the heart of the attacking style is Feghouli who is Algeria’s most creative and energetic player. His ability to run with pace and create chances for the forwards is a good asset for a team that would rely on counter attacking against Germany. Howedes is not a natural left back and he would struggle against the pace and trickery of the Valencia attacker who has been impressive throughout the tournament.
Prediction
Algeria was at their entertaining best in Group H, causing trouble to Belgium, South Korea. However, Germany will be their biggest test in the tournament so far. Die Mannschaft have one of the most formidable sides and they have got match winners in all positions. If Germany is allowed to dominate possession and control the match as they did against USA, it would become highly impossible for Algeria to stop Germany from scoring goals.
However, the only way Algeria might be able to cause an upset would be if they able to counter with pace and if they are at their lethal best in front of goal. Germany is a superior team and I would expect them to handle the Algerian threat with ease.
Predicted Scoreline: Germany 2 – 0 Algeria
Match Officials
Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)
Assitant Referee 1: Emerson De Carvalho (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Marcelo Van Gasse (BRA)
Fourth Official: Walter Lopez (GUA)
