Euro 2012 Preview: Germany vs Portugal

This years favorites Germany will play Portugal tonight at the Arena Lviv arena in Ukraine, which will be the second match of group B, dubbed as the Group of Death. This has been the most eagerly awaited match of the group stage. Joachim Loew’s side had won all the qualifying matches whereas Portugal lost two of them. Loew’s free scoring German side managed 34 goals in the qualifying stage. Both the teams have been inconsistent in the recent international friendlies. Portugal’s matches have either ended up as stalemate or a loss. Germany was defeated by France and Switzerland but they managed to record a win against Israel.

Germany coach Joachim Loew.

Blast From The Past:

Previously, the two sides faced off against each other at the 2006 World Cup and the Euro 2008. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was only 21 at the time, had started for Portugal in the World Cup third place play-off match. Bastin Schweinsteiger scored a brace while Petit’s own goal and Nuno Gomez’s strike made the score line 3-1 at the end of the day.

Bastin Schweinsteiger.

Schweinsteiger was once again the hero in the Euro 2008. He opened the scoring and created the second one for Klose. Nuno Gomez had scored the third goal of the game for Portugal. However, Schweinsteiger was in the thick of things and his free kick was headed home by the then captain, Michael Ballack. Helder Postiga scored the second one for Portugal but in the end, Portugal was once again defeated by Germany.

Head to head record:

Germany and Portugal have played 17 matches. Germany has won 8 times, Portugal just 3. The remaining 6 were drawn.

Injuries:

Per Mertasacker is recovering from an injury, however, he is expected to start in this match. Schwienstiger has successfully recovered and is expected to be in the starting line up for Germany.

Nani is a major doubt for Portugal. He has sustained an injury to his right foot. Nani had scored the lone goal for Portugal in their 3-1 loss to Turkey last week. This loss would be a heavy blow for Bento’s Portugal.

C Ronaldo and Nani.

Expected Line-Up

GERMANY:

Neuer;

Bender, Mertesacker, Badstubber, Lahm;

Khedira, Schweinsteiger;

Mueller,Ozil,Podolski;

Gomez

PORTUGAL:

Patricio;

Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Coentrao;

Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho;

Quaresma, Postiga, Ronaldo

Loew has confirmed that he will start Lahm at left-back. However, doubts have been raised in the right side of defense. Loew was unhappy over Boetang making the headlines as he was pictured with a glamour model in a Berlin hotel. Meanwhile he praised Lars Bender for his impressive show during the training. Whoever may it be, it’ll be a tedious task to contain the Real Madrid stalwart, Cristiano Ronaldo. Gomez might get the nod ahead of Klose who could feature on the bench on his birthday.

Quaresma could get a rare start alongside Postiga due to Nani’s injury. This could change if Nani is declared fit for the match.

This match is going to be a decisive one as both the teams will play Netharlands in a few days. Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo are the stars to look out for.

Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Impact of the game:

Both the teams will look for a win as they would want to start well in the tournament. Denmark sums up the members of group of death. If they lose now, they could end up in a must win situation which both coaches would seriously want to avoid.

Prediction:

The scoreline could be 2-2 with goals coming from Podolski, Ozil for Germany and Ronaldo, Postiga for Portugal.

Do leave your predictions below.