Germany takes on Republic of Ireland in Group C in their next World Cup qualifier.
The news surrounding this match has had more to do with injuries than with the match itself. Ireland has a longer list of injuries than does Germany. Sean St Ledger, Glenn Whelan, James McClean and Kevin Doyle have joined inspirational defender Richard Dunne on the sidelines. To cover for their absences, coach Giovanni Trapattoni has called up Ciaran Clark of Aston Villa, David Meyler of Sunderland and Robbie Brady of Manchester United.
For Germany, Mats Hummels is out after picking up an injury in midweek against Manchester City. He played on the weekend against Hannover and only aggravated his problem. Ilkay Gündogan is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after having picked up an injury against City and has been ruled out of the Germany squad too. Lars Bender of Leverkusen pulled up on Saturday and has been left out. His brother Sven might have been a replacement but is injured once again.
oachim Löw will be a much happier man than Trapattoni nonetheless. His midfield maestro has returned to the squad. Bastian Schweinsteiger is well and truly back after having played a series of games for FC Bayern. He will captain his side against Ireland as Philipp Lahm is suspended. This is Lahm’s first professional suspension.
Löw has opted to award Hummels’ spot to an experienced player. The captain of Hamburger SV, Heiko Westermann will come into the squad. He has opted to continue with one striker, the evergreen Miroslav Klose. Rudi Völler argued about the inclusion of Stefan Kiessling this week. Kiessling has been on good form and his inclusion would have been justified. Löw also refused to take Rene Adler, former number one keeper, despite his phenomenal return from injury.
Ireland, like Germany, got their qualifying campaign off to a good start. They were behind in Kazakhstan but found two very late goals (Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle) to earn three points. Germany struggled against Austria. Austria was unlucky to lose. They could have taken a draw had Marko Arnautovic not missed a chance he would have buried any other day.
Trapattoni is no stranger to German football having coached Bayern before; he lost his temper during a press conference which has now become legendary. The Italian talked about changing his side’s formation this week. Ireland usually plays a 4-4-2 but Trapattoni feels that a 4-5-1 will suit his side better against Germany. He also appreciated Germany’s strengths.
Speaking of strengths, Bastian Schweinsteiger recently said that he felt fans demanded too much from the side. Germany has failed in latter stages of tournaments over and over again leaving a football crazed nation frustrated. Schweinsteiger had this to say:
“I don't think everything is bad, not many teams can claim to have such a track record. I think the respect is missing a bit. It is nowhere written down that we are going to win every game.”
Löw has to decide about whom to field at the back in the absence of Lahm and Hummels. Perhaps Benedikt Höwedes can fill in at the back considering he can play as a full-back. Either Jerome Boateng or Holger Badstuber can fill in on the opposite flank with Per Mertesacker returning to help out in the centre of defence.
Another choice Löw will have to make is between Toni Kroos and Mesut Özil. Kroos has outshone his midfield partners this season and he has the talent needed to start in the hole behind the striker. Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira should start together in defensive midfield. The wings will most likely be paraded by Thomas Müller and Marco Reus with Lukas Podolski the first one off the bench. Klose will probably be the lone front man.
Germany has the talent required to win this match. However, they weren’t convincing in either of their qualifiers so far. Considering that Bastian Schweinsteiger has returned, they will perhaps get this win.
Prediction: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Germany
For Germany, Mats Hummels is out after picking up an injury in midweek against Manchester City. He played on the weekend against Hannover and only aggravated his problem. Ilkay Gündogan is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after having picked up an injury against City and has been ruled out of the Germany squad too. Lars Bender of Leverkusen pulled up on Saturday and has been left out. His brother Sven might have been a replacement but is injured once again.
oachim Löw will be a much happier man than Trapattoni nonetheless. His midfield maestro has returned to the squad. Bastian Schweinsteiger is well and truly back after having played a series of games for FC Bayern. He will captain his side against Ireland as Philipp Lahm is suspended. This is Lahm’s first professional suspension.
Löw has opted to award Hummels’ spot to an experienced player. The captain of Hamburger SV, Heiko Westermann will come into the squad. He has opted to continue with one striker, the evergreen Miroslav Klose. Rudi Völler argued about the inclusion of Stefan Kiessling this week. Kiessling has been on good form and his inclusion would have been justified. Löw also refused to take Rene Adler, former number one keeper, despite his phenomenal return from injury.
Ireland, like Germany, got their qualifying campaign off to a good start. They were behind in Kazakhstan but found two very late goals (Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle) to earn three points. Germany struggled against Austria. Austria was unlucky to lose. They could have taken a draw had Marko Arnautovic not missed a chance he would have buried any other day.
Trapattoni is no stranger to German football having coached Bayern before; he lost his temper during a press conference which has now become legendary. The Italian talked about changing his side’s formation this week. Ireland usually plays a 4-4-2 but Trapattoni feels that a 4-5-1 will suit his side better against Germany. He also appreciated Germany’s strengths.
Speaking of strengths, Bastian Schweinsteiger recently said that he felt fans demanded too much from the side. Germany has failed in latter stages of tournaments over and over again leaving a football crazed nation frustrated. Schweinsteiger had this to say:
“I don't think everything is bad, not many teams can claim to have such a track record. I think the respect is missing a bit. It is nowhere written down that we are going to win every game.”
Löw has to decide about whom to field at the back in the absence of Lahm and Hummels. Perhaps Benedikt Höwedes can fill in at the back considering he can play as a full-back. Either Jerome Boateng or Holger Badstuber can fill in on the opposite flank with Per Mertesacker returning to help out in the centre of defence.
Another choice Löw will have to make is between Toni Kroos and Mesut Özil. Kroos has outshone his midfield partners this season and he has the talent needed to start in the hole behind the striker. Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira should start together in defensive midfield. The wings will most likely be paraded by Thomas Müller and Marco Reus with Lukas Podolski the first one off the bench. Klose will probably be the lone front man.
Germany has the talent required to win this match. However, they weren’t convincing in either of their qualifiers so far. Considering that Bastian Schweinsteiger has returned, they will perhaps get this win.
Prediction: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Germany
