Germany vs Algeria Preview
There are two ways to look at this Germany vs Algeria tie in Porto Alegre on Monday. The football expert would conclude that is undoubtedly the most uneven contest of this stage of the World Cup, and the Germans should book their place in the Quarter finals with relative ease and set up that much awaited quarter final with France, who take on Nigeria in the early kickoff on Monday.
It was 32 years back in 1982 when Germany and Austria conspired to play out a 1-0 result in what went down in the history books as the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’. There was little attacking endeavor shown by either team, barely a tackle or two, but both European teams ensured they got the result that sealed their progress into the next round at the expense of an Algerian side who were unlucky to be denied by a shameful moment in the annals of world football history.
There will be more than a spot in the quarter finals at stake when these two teams take to the field on Monday. Algeria shook the foundations of the footballing world when they beat West Germany 2-1 at the 1982 World Cup, and there would be nothing else on their mind but sweet revenge. History dictates that there is a lot more at stake than mere tournament progression. Algeria have never made it this far in the World Cup, and they could well make it even sweeter with a victory over a team that denied them a much deserved place in 1982. 32 years is too long to wait for revenge, but it would be worth it if the North Africans can upset a German side who have looked far from the naturally fluid attacking outfit they have been for the last few years.
Algeria have played some good football to reach the Round of 16. They nearly surprised Belgium in ther opening match, thrashed South Korea and got the job done against Russia. So while the Germans may be hot favorites on paper, translating the obvious into action at the highest level is a different task altogether. Joachim Loew’s team have looked far from their sparkling best, yet made light work of a so-called “Group of Death”. The Germans always come good when it counts, and although, they haven’t tasted any success since Olivier Bierhoff climbed off the bench to clinch the Euro 96 final with a Golden goal, the Germans have always been a force to reckon with come the business end of the World Cup.
Mario Goetze could replace Lukas Podolski in the side after Podolski failed to impress against USA, while Bastian Schweinsteiger will continue in his midfield role as he looks to come back to full sharpness after nursing a knee injury.
Germany vs Algeria Match Facts:
- Germany have lost both of their previous meetings with Algeria in all competitions, scoring once and conceding four times.
- Their most notable meeting came in the 1982 World Cup Group Stage when Algeria beat West Germany 2-1. However, the African team were eliminated by West Germany’s mutually beneficial 1-0 win over Austria that saw both teams advance to the next round.
- Algeria are the sixth African team to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup (after Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana).
- Joachim Löw’s side attempted 1999 passes (incl. crosses and corners) in the group stage, more than any other side.
- Thomas Müller has scored nine goals in nine World Cup appearances, including four in three so far in 2014.
- Müller has a shot conversion rate of 66.7% so far in the tournament, having scored four times from six shots.
- 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.
- Germany have scored the opening goal in all three of their games so far in the competition. Algeria opened the scoring twice in Group H.
Facts by Opta stats, compiled from Goal.com
Germany vs Algeria Predicted Lineups:
Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Höwedes; Kroos, Lahm, Schweinsteiger; Özil, Müller, Götze
Algeria: M’Bohli; Mesbah, Halliche, Belkalem, Mandl; Bentaleb, Medjani;Djabou, Brahimi, Feghouli; Slimani
Germany vs Algeria Prediction:
Algeria will be a threat on the counter attack, especially against a German side who are playing with four center backs. But Germany’s technical superiority should come through in the end. Germany 3-1 for me!