Germany and France were in rival fronts in two world Wars. Now they are major partners in NATO and EU. But when it comes to football arena they are formidable opponents. Honours are even in terms of recent meetings with France claiming a 2-1 win in Bremen in February 2012, while Germany claimed revenge by the exact same scoreline in Paris 12 months later. Tonight Bangladesh standard time they will be drawn face to face in the first quarter final in Brazil World Cup 2014. One of them will pack for home and other will be waiting for their semifinal rivalry with Brazil or Columbia.
German’s called it an acid test for German coach Joachim Low. He has already come under serious criticism from former German World Cup heroes Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthaus for the inconsistent performance of the German team in the four matches they have played so far in this World Cup. They are now up against an inform France team to qualify for semifinal with the winner of Brazil and Columbia also to be played later early morning of Bangladesh Standard time. That semifinal will be played in Belo Horizonte.
Unlike Joachim Low’s German troops Didier Deschams French squad appears to be in sparkling form in the world cup and may put up a serious challenge to the German cause of advancing further in the tournament. Germany is not playing the quality to justify their pre-tournament favorite status.
Former German captains Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthaeus are critical of Low's selections. They have noticed that playmaker Mesut Ozil was struggling as centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes were being played by Low in their unaccustomed wing-backs positions.
Ballack thought that Germans performance against impressive Algeria was one of the worst that German national teal played in years. Low strategy is just not working. Low’s contract with German FA till June 2016 will be in hot water if Germans gets quarter final exit tonight..
Germany's 4-0 hammering of Portugal in its opening group match created shock and awe among title aspirants but a series of unimpressive performances since then has seen underperforming German troops come under heavy criticism.
Having been held to a 2-2 draw by Ghana, and then grinding out a 1-0 win over the USA in its final group match, poor finishing saw Germany labour to a 2-1 extra-time win over Algeria in last group 16 clash.
In contrast, France has developed steadily under its coach Deschamps and now looks a vastly improved unit than its chaotic 2010 campaign in South Africa.
France has Karim Benzema is in top form. Sparkling performance against Switzerland (5-2) have given them lot of confidence. Truly speaking, France starteddreaming of its first World Cup title since its 1998 triumph on home soil. But that is still a way to go. Now the focus of the team is purely on the quarter final encounter against Germany.The French team has their feet on the ground and performance will do the talking .That is the general feeling in the France camp.
Germany is struggling to find the right combinations for its fast-paced attacking game. Excepting the first game against Portugal German attack was not at its fluent self. On the other hand French boss is very happy about the harmony of his charge and sounded confident about putting their best against Germany. German centre-back Mats Hummelsback in action after missing the Algeria win with flu. Experienced Lukas Podolski is fit again after a thigh strain.
France defender Raphael Varane was hospitalized with dehydration after the 2-0 win over Nigeria in the last 16. He is a doubtful starter for the match tonight .Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is fit again after knee problems. Deschamps will be choosing the striker from among Olivier Giroud or Antoine Griezmann in the striking eleven.
It will be an even contest between two strong European sides and the team producing it’s “A” game on the night will survive.
BDST: 1204 HRS, JUL 04, 2014
