France vs Germany: What can we expect - Preview and Prediction

France take on Germany in the first quarter-final at the World Cup

France will take on Germany in a crucial quarter final clash tonight. Germans are favourites on paper but it would be wrong to count out Les Bleus. In the last game, Algeria showed us that it is not impossible to break the German defence and create clear cut opportunities. France have been in a tremendous form and thus it will be a mouth watering clash between the two giants of world football.

Venue

Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, popularly known as the Maracana, was built for the 1950 World Cup. It is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Maracana once boasted a capacity of nearly 200,000 but now it has been reduced to 74,738. It is still the largest stadium in Brazil.

Kickoff

July 4 – 9.30 pm – Indian Standard Time (IST)

July 4 – 13.00 pm - Local Time

Possible Starting Lineups

The French defence have performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament. In five matches they have conceded just two goals. Their defence will be under an acid test against Germany tonight, whose attack is arguably the best in the world right now. Mamadou Sakho would come back to the side after a hamstring injury. Laurent Koscielny will be retained after a wonderful game against Nigeria. Olivier Giroud could lose his place to Antoine Griezmann as the former was not at all impressive.

France (4-3-3): Lloris; Debuchy, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra; Cabaye, Pogba, Matuidi; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann.

Joachim Loew will possibly opt for the same starting XI which he fielded in the last game. Even though they are one favourites to win the title this season, Algeria showed the world that it is not at all impossible to break the German defence and create opportunities. Thomas Muller will definitely look to score goals and improve his personal tally in the World Cup; he is a golden boot contender after all. If Miroslav Klose is fielded he would also be hungry for a goal as it will make him the all time top scorer World Cups.

Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Howedes; Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Ozil, Gotze; Muller.

Key Facts

There have been 17 goals scored in the three previous World Cup meetings between France and Germany, an average 5.7 goals per game.
The two sides last met in a friendly in February 2013. France took the lead through a Mathieu Valbuena strike in the first half, before second half goals from Thomas Müller and Sami Khedira secured victory for Germany.
Germany have reached the semi-finals of the last three World Cups. No nation has ever made the last four in four successive tournaments.
On the last five occasions that France have progressed past round 1 in the World Cup, they have reached the semi-final stage (1958, 1982, 1986, 1998 and 2006).
Thomas Müller (four goals, two assists) has been directly involved in six of Germany’s nine goals (66.7 per cent) at this this World Cup.
Karim Benzema (19) has fired in 12 more shots than any other French player during this tournament.
André Schürrle has scored five goals in his last five competitive matches for Germany.
Miroslav Klose needs one more goal to be the World Cup’s highest scorer. He is currently joint-top with Ronaldo (15 goals).

Key Battles

Thomas Muller vs Mamadou Sakho

Muller is the most dangerous player in this current German side. He has already scored 5 goals in 5 games including a hat-trick against Portugal in their opening match. France’s Sakho would be in charge to stop the dangerous German attacker

Karim Benzema vs Mats Hummels

Benzema is the most crucial player in the French side. Didier Deschamps will bank on the Real Madrid striker’s goal scoring form. He has scored 3 goals so far and assisted plenty. If Benzema is not marked properly, Germany can very well concede quite a few goals. Hummels will be there to keep an eye on the French forward.

Prediction

The Germans are the stronger side on paper. But Les Bleus have been the surprise team of this World Cup. But Germany could ultimately win the game in a penalty shootout.

Predicted Score-line: Germany 1-1 (5-4)

Match Officials

Referee: Nestor Pitana (ARG)

Assistant Referee 1: Hernan Maidana (ARG)

Assistant Referee 2: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG)

Fourth Official: Jonas Eriksson (SWE)

Edited by Staff Editor