Germany takes on Kazakhstan in the quest for three more points and a fourth win in four European Championship qualifiers. Mesut Özil, who hobbled off the pitch against Turkey, is expected to be fit for this one.
Germany seems hungrier than ever as they go in search of another win in their bid to qualify for Euro 2012. The run without a major trophy since 1996 might very well end in 2012 if the Germans continue dominating their opponents.
Germany and Kazakhstan has never played each other in any European international competitions. Also, clubs from the two countries have only met twice; Werder Bremen took on Aktobe in a two legged clash and beat the Kazakh side 8-2 on aggregate. If that score-line is anything to go by, the match in Astana should provide plenty of goals.
Kazakhstan, in contrast to Germany’s excellent form, has lost all three of their qualifiers to Turkey, Austria and Belgium although the losses to Belgium and Austria were by two goals. However, their German coach, Bernd Stork believes that he is a building a team for the future rather than the present. He has added three newcomers to his squad. Two of those newcomers are 21 years of age (Muzhikov and Darabayev) and one 19 year old, Lisenkov.
Germany will most probably have to do without the services of defender Jerome Boateng and will most likely line up in their attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marcell Jansen will not play any part in this match. Kevin Grosskreutz also had to pull out due to injury. The line-up will most probably consist of the same players who played against Turkey.
Manuel Neuer will be in goal, the defence will consist of Philipp Lahm and Heiko Westermann on the wings and Per Mertesacker alongside Holger Badstuber in the centre. The defensive midfield pairing will be Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos while the attacking midfield trio will be Thomas Mueller, Mesut Özil and Lukas Podolski behind main striker Miroslav Klose.
This is the Kazakhstan squad:
Goalkeepers: Aleksandr Mokin, Andrei Sidelnikov, Alexandr Grigorenko
Defenders: Renat Abdulin, Aleksandr Kislitsyn , Aleksandr Kirov, Mikhail Rozhkov, Dmitri Shomko, Vladislav Chernyshov, Aleksei Popov.
Midfielders: Serikzhan Muzhikov, Aslan Darabayev, Azat Nurgaliyev, Andrei Karpovich, Genrikh Shmidtgal, Ulan Konysbayev, Kazbek Geteriyev.
Forwards: Evgeni Averchenko, Sergei Lisenkov, Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev, Maksim Azovski, Sergei Khizhnichenko, Andrei Finonchenko.
This is the Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Rene Adler, Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese
Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Sascha Riether, Heiko Westermann
Midfielders: Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Özil , Lukas Podolski , Christian Träsch (VfB Stuttgart)
Strikers: Cacau, Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose
This is what Sami Khedira had to say prior to the match:
"It is a question of attitude. Of course, you could go there and say Kazakhstan, who are Kazakhstan?' But that would be exactly the wrong way to approach such a game.".
"We will not do that, we approach every game with full concentration. Normally, we won't spill points against Kazakhstan. There's too much difference in quality between the two teams.”
"There are a few factors that we must have in mind though; an unusual kick-off time, artificial turf in the stadium, it will be cold."
Prediction: This match might turn out to be a boring affair but Germany has the potential to turn it into a one-sided goal fest. Because of the fact that Germany has never played their opponents before, the final score might be a bit smaller than expected.
Final Score: Kazakhstan 0-2 Germany
Germany and Kazakhstan has never played each other in any European international competitions. Also, clubs from the two countries have only met twice; Werder Bremen took on Aktobe in a two legged clash and beat the Kazakh side 8-2 on aggregate. If that score-line is anything to go by, the match in Astana should provide plenty of goals.
Kazakhstan, in contrast to Germany’s excellent form, has lost all three of their qualifiers to Turkey, Austria and Belgium although the losses to Belgium and Austria were by two goals. However, their German coach, Bernd Stork believes that he is a building a team for the future rather than the present. He has added three newcomers to his squad. Two of those newcomers are 21 years of age (Muzhikov and Darabayev) and one 19 year old, Lisenkov.
Germany will most probably have to do without the services of defender Jerome Boateng and will most likely line up in their attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marcell Jansen will not play any part in this match. Kevin Grosskreutz also had to pull out due to injury. The line-up will most probably consist of the same players who played against Turkey.
Manuel Neuer will be in goal, the defence will consist of Philipp Lahm and Heiko Westermann on the wings and Per Mertesacker alongside Holger Badstuber in the centre. The defensive midfield pairing will be Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos while the attacking midfield trio will be Thomas Mueller, Mesut Özil and Lukas Podolski behind main striker Miroslav Klose.
This is the Kazakhstan squad:
Goalkeepers: Aleksandr Mokin, Andrei Sidelnikov, Alexandr Grigorenko
Defenders: Renat Abdulin, Aleksandr Kislitsyn , Aleksandr Kirov, Mikhail Rozhkov, Dmitri Shomko, Vladislav Chernyshov, Aleksei Popov.
Midfielders: Serikzhan Muzhikov, Aslan Darabayev, Azat Nurgaliyev, Andrei Karpovich, Genrikh Shmidtgal, Ulan Konysbayev, Kazbek Geteriyev.
Forwards: Evgeni Averchenko, Sergei Lisenkov, Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev, Maksim Azovski, Sergei Khizhnichenko, Andrei Finonchenko.
This is the Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Rene Adler, Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese
Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Sascha Riether, Heiko Westermann
Midfielders: Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Özil , Lukas Podolski , Christian Träsch (VfB Stuttgart)
Strikers: Cacau, Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose
This is what Sami Khedira had to say prior to the match:
"It is a question of attitude. Of course, you could go there and say Kazakhstan, who are Kazakhstan?' But that would be exactly the wrong way to approach such a game.".
"We will not do that, we approach every game with full concentration. Normally, we won't spill points against Kazakhstan. There's too much difference in quality between the two teams.”
"There are a few factors that we must have in mind though; an unusual kick-off time, artificial turf in the stadium, it will be cold."
Prediction: This match might turn out to be a boring affair but Germany has the potential to turn it into a one-sided goal fest. Because of the fact that Germany has never played their opponents before, the final score might be a bit smaller than expected.
Final Score: Kazakhstan 0-2 Germany
