World Cup 2014 | ||
Germany |
vs | Algeria |
ScheduleMonday, 30 June 2014 at 20:00 GMT / 21:00 UK / 01:30 IST VenueEstádio Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre) |
Next Monday, Germany will measure forces with the surprising Algerian side at the Estádio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre on a match that will mark the first presence of Algeria at this stage of a World Cup tournament.
After defeating the US team last Thursday, Germany completed their group stage round without a single defeat and at the top of Group G, as it was previously expected. The German team completely smashed Portugal during their World Cup opening match but they failed to replicate that winning recipe on their second match against Ghana, during which they had in fact to redouble their efforts in order to grab a draw. Last Thursday, Die Mannschaft didn’t fall short of expectations and easily defeated the USA by 1-0, on a match they completely dominated as the statistics help prove. Germany enjoyed 63% of ball possession, had thirteen goal attempts and completed almost twice as many passes as the US team.
It is fair to say that Joachim Löw’s Germany are firm favourites to win the competition and in theory a team such Algeria should not pose any type of threat to the former World Champions. Although, there is no such thing as logic in football and for that reason Die Mannschaft will surely have be very careful with a very well organized side as Algeria.
As for Algeria, the match against Germany will certainly present another good opportunity for them to continue their surprising campaign at the competition.
Algeria’s performances at the World Cup have been nothing to be ashamed of so far. After being defeated by Belgium on their opening match, Algeria snatched a fantastic 4-2 win over Korea on the following game, something that motivated them to force Russia to a draw and thus grant their ticket to the Round of 16 of the competition.
Algeria’s last match against Russia, which took place last Thursday, was proof of Vahid Halilhodzic’s tactical work in the team. The team has presented a different tactical approach on all the matches so far and they managed to make a stand with all of them, even when they lost to Belgium on the first match. The team looks fairly competent on their attacking sector due to the quality technical skills of their players, especially Brahimi’s, and they also proved to have a strong defensive wall, capable of enduring even when being pushed against the ropes.
Germany are to be considered favourites for the next Monday’s match and although Algeria have managed to put some respectable performances lately, they might still not have what is necessary to defeat such a powerful side as the Germans.
Germany
Stats: W-3 L-0 D-2
Recent Form - WWWDD
Algeria
Stats: W-3 L-1 D-1
Recent Form - DWLWW
Possible Line-ups
Germany (4-2-3-1) - Neuer - Hummels - Mertesacker - Boateng - Howedes - Khedira - Lahm - Kroos - Özil - Götze - Müller
Algeria (4-5-1) - M’Bolhi - Ghoulam - Halliche - Bougherra - Mesbah - Bentaleb - Taider - Djabou - Brahimi - Feghouli - Slimani
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