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Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Monday, June 16, 2014

Game 12 Preview: Germany vs. Portugal

GERMANY vs. PORTUGAL

 

 Date: June 16, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 9-3-5 Germany
Last Match: Euro 2012 (Group Stage). Germany def. Portugal 1-0.
Line: Germany EVEN
Group G Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Germany (2nd), Portugal (4th)
Managers: Joachim Low (GER), Paulo Bento (POR)
Captains: Philipp Lahm (GER), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)
World Cup Appearances: 18 (GER), 6 (POR)
Best Finish: Germany (3x Champions, Last in 1990), Portugal (Third Place, 1966)
Qualifying Records: Germany (9-0-1, GF: 36, GA: 10), Portugal (8-1-3, GF: 24, GA: 11)

Pre-Tournament Game Results

Germany

May 13th - Germany tied Poland 0-0
June 1st - Germany tied Cameroon 2-2
June 6th - Germany def. Armenia 6-1

Portugal

May 31st - Portugal tied Greece 0-0
June 6th - Portugal def. Mexico 1-0
June 10th - Portugal def. Ireland 5-1

Rosters




Injuries/Discipline

Germany: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Probable - Foot), Manuel Neuer (Probable - Shoulder)
Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (Probable - Knee)

Overview

The only Group Stage game that pairs two top-5 ranked teams in the world together was highlighted immediately after the draw as one of the marquee games in a group that will be full of them. It pits 2 powerhouses in Europe right now together with 2 vastly different styles of play.

Germany are a model in world soccer of team organization and unity. It's a system where the players all understand what each other is doing and where they are and they use that knowledge as well as exceptional technical ability on the ball to break down opponents and strike on goal.

Portugal bring more of a wide-open counter-attacking style and will look to use speed and long passing to catch opposing defences napping on the back end. They also have the best player in the world at linking up with long passing and creating goals whenever the ball is on his foot in Cristiano Ronaldo.

This will be a game of 2 primary battles. Can Germany's defence contain Ronaldo and keep him away from their penalty area. Ronaldo is the glue to this Portuguese attack. This version of the team lacks a lot of creativity and goal-scoring when he isn't in the lineup but become world-beaters when he is in form. Germany has to be able to minimize his impact on the game.

In the other end, it's a question of who will step up for Germany in a goal-scoring capacity. This is a team with attacking midfield talent in spades but they only brought 2 forwards to Brazil and neither is expected to start necessarily. They will get opportunities on goal through their midfield but need to have their finishing on point, especially if Klose or Podolski are not in the lineup.

This is the Group of Death and while both teams are favoured to advance, 3 points from this game would be a huge boon as both USA and Ghana will provide stiff tests going forward.

Personnel

In the German Third: It's a battle between Ronaldo on one side and Lahm and the central defence on the other. Postiga and the rest of Portugal won't scare this German side but Ronaldo is a danger whenever he's on the field. Germany should be talented enough to shade their defence towards Ronaldo without getting burned on the opposite side of the field. Advantage: Germany.

In the Midfield: Few teams in the world pass the ball better through the midfield then the Germans do. Portugal have some emerging talents in the midfield, particularly Carvalho and while they'll harass the Germans through the midfield this is Germany's bread and butter. Advantage: Germany.

In the Portuguese Third: Where the game will probably be decided. Germany are a team full of attacking midfielders but lacking a true striker unless they want to run Klose from the beginning up front. Portugal's wing backs can be beat long but Alves and Pepe are solid as they come in the centre of the field. Advantage: Even.

Goalkeeping: Manuel Neuer should start for Germany after missing almost a month to a shoulder injury. Portugal have two capable number 1's in Eduardo and Rui Patricio. Neuer is one of the best on his game but the layoff has left his form in question. Advantage: Portugal.

Germany will win if:

They can take Ronaldo out of the game defensively and use their passing to get inside the Portuguese back line. Between Schweinsteiger and their defence, Ronaldo can be made ineffective on the wing but he only needs one opening to change the game in Portugal's favour. Offensively, they'll have chances on the wings particular to attack when Pereira and Coentrao push up. Need to make sure they're attacking Alves and Pepe through the centre as well though. Both are 30+ so Germany may be able to use their on-ball speed to create holes in the penalty area.

Portugal will win if:

They can muddle the game defensively enough to frustrate the German attacking midfield. Portugal like leaving 3 high so they can spring counter-attacks quickly but they have to be in a defence first mentality against this German side. Hang back, repel the German midfielders from their area and hopefully draw the German defenders up a bit so that when they do launch the ball downfield to Ronaldo and Nani there will be more space and time on attack.

Prediction

Ronaldo will play but it's unclear how healthy he is. Sufficed to say he's not 100%. Portugal may be limited offensively if he's not fully healthy and I'm not sure their defence can withstand 90 minutes of pressure from Germany. Portugal could easily notch a goal or 2 in this game but I'll go with the German victory.

Germany 2-0 Portugal

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