A David vs Goliath clash is imminent at Porto Alegre as Germany take on African side Algeria for a place in the quarter finals of what has been a spectacular World Cup in Brazil. After beating USA by the thinnest of margins, Germany now take on continental yet fierce rivals Algeria in the knockout stages, who certainly have left an indelible mark in Brazil. 32 years have passed ever since the Disgrace of Gijon when the Germans and Austria played out a deliberate ‘non competitive’ encounter in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, to see Algeria bow out after the African side had stunned the World to beat the Die Mannschaft in the group stages. Can the tournament’s second last seeded team of all of the remaining counties get their revenge back and plot Joachim Loew’s downfall?
We here at Soccersouls provide our readers with Germany’s strongest line up going into the feisty knockout clash against Algeria.
Goalkeeper:
Manuel Neuer has been hardly tested apart from the Ghana encounter when the African side with their physical prowess had exposed the German defense in the second half. Neuer, however will be mindful of the Algerian outfit who have scored 6 goals so far, the most convincing was how they upstaged Asian giants South Korea in the same venue. Algeria come into the game after a 1-1 draw against Russia, which would give them a morale booster ahead of the clash against the Germans.
Defenders:
Algeria will look to pull out against Loew’s shaky defense which can wilt under pressure as it was time and again evident against Ghana and in some patches against the USA. The likes of Slimani, Feghouli and Djabou must not drop their heads while the midfield talent of Nabil Bentaleb and Brahmini should hold their own in the middle of the park. Jerome Boateng has been tactically flexible and should start in the right back slot while Benedikt Howedes will man the other flank with Mats Hummels and Per Mertesacker in the heart of the defense.
Midfield:
Phillip Lahm had a terrific game against USA in central midfield which shows why the diminutive German remains the most versatile player in the world. Lahm will have Bastian Schweinstieger and Tony Kroos alongside him to hold fort in midfield while Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil who starts out wide on the right will gradually draft in a more central role which completes a compact 4-3-3 setup while attacking and in possession but a conventional 4-5-1 off the ball. The European side are expected to have the lion’s share of the possession but to break down a rugged yet stubborn Algerian defense remains the key in the knockout clash.
Strikeforce:
Germany have possibly been the only side who are without a proper number nine yet have managed to hit the back of the net 7 times in the group stages. Thomas Muller has been the main target man while Mario Gotze played as the farthest man forward against Ghana as the Bayern youngster looked like a calm and composed false nine. Miroslav Klose simply doesn’t have his youthful exuberance with his legs looking to give up, yet he still pops up in the right place at the right time. Against Algeria Muller should again be drafted as the unconventional number nine who thrives in picking out his positions to great effect.
