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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Marco Reus and Mario Gotze of Germany warm up during a training session at Wembley Stadium ahead of their International Friendly against England on November 18, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Wembley will play to host to the iconic clash between England and Germany to commemorate Football Association’s 150th anniversary.
This is a match-up between two teams at slightly different ends of the spectrum. While the Germans are tagged as pre-tournament favorites for the World Cup trophy alongside Spain and Brazil, the English team would be content with anything more than a place in the quarter finals.
Germany boasts of one of the strongest squads in world football, while almost all the places apart from the starting eleven are up for grabs in the English squad.
This game provides the perfect platform to Joachim Low to test his squad credentials. Khedira’s long-term ligament injury means that he is most likely to miss the flight to Brazil.
A fit Khedira is certainly one of the first names on the team sheet along with Ozil, Lahm, Neuer, Reus and Mertesacker. His injury has provided a chance to Kroos, Gundogan and Bender to stake claims for a place in the starting eleven alongside Schweinsteiger. Low also indicated in his pre-match conference that Lahm, Neuer and Ozil are likely to be rested for this match.
Roman Weidenfeller is expected to start in goal alongside Schmelzer and Gotze as replacements for the sick trio in the new look German team.
The draw against Italy has once against raised questions regarding Germany’s temperament against big opposition. Profligacy in their shooting and wayward passing in the final third are two main areas which have led to their downfall in the semi-finals of their last two international tournaments.
Low has to find a solution quickly to this problem if Germany aim to cross the semi-final hurdle this time around. A victory against their fierce old foes at Wembley will go some way in silencing these doubters alongside providing a moral boosting victory ahead of the World Cup.
After an excellent finish to the qualifying campaign, England’s credentials have also been questioned with their recent defeat at Wembley. While England possess a good first eleven, an injury to a couple of first team players looks likely to derail their WC 2014 campaign as was witnessed by their capitulation at Wembley on Friday.
Gerrard’s leadership and Carrick’s assurance ahead of the back four were sorely missed in the center of the park against Chile. Jones, Wilshere, Cleverly or Henderson don’t look like the ones to challenge this seasoned duo. On the other hand, old Frankie’s age has been catching up with him as well implying that Gerrard and Carrick are almost locked in for starting places at the World Cup.
Another area where England are facing major problems is their wings. Welbeck’s wayward shooting, Young and Downing’s form and injury troubles, Milner’s lack of game time, Walcott’s perennial injury problems coupled with Lennon’s indifferent form suggest that Roy Hodgson has a task on his hands when he decides the final English squad. Roy’s unevolved 4-4-2 clearly underlines the importance of wingers in the system. Either Roy has to change his rigid formation or find suitable replacements in the form of Lallana, Sterling or Henderson who can prove to be a good utility player.
This match between these fierce rivals provides an opportunity to get some answers to the niggling questions for both managers. The history between the two countries means that this game will certainly not have a friendly appeal to it. The fact that Steven Gerrard is ready to take injections to play this game indicates the fierce nature of competitiveness the game will have.
It is the perfect opportunity for England to end their five game winless streak at Wembley and end the year on a high. On the other hand, a victory with their so-called reserve team will clearly send a strong signal to their competitors regarding the depth and quality of the German squad. Irrespective of the result, one can surely expect a lot of fireworks as these teams prepare to meet for the first time after the controversially disallowed Lampard goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
