Team News
Max Kruse is set to start for Germany. Lars Bender and Roman Neustadtere will be the duo in defensive midfield. Rene Adler will keep in Manuel Neuer’s absence; Benedikt Howedes, Heiko Westermann, Per Mertesacker and Marcell Jansen will protect him. The only remaining questions concern the attacking midfield trio behind Kruse. Sidney Sam, Philipp Wollscheid and Nicolai Müller have received their first call ups for the national side.
Analysis
Joachim Löw witnessed the transformation from big stage chokers to champions of many of his charges on Saturday. However, it did not come under him; it came under the wily Jupp Heynckes, a man whom Löw could learn a lot from, especially regarding adaptability. Löw’s abilities have never been in question the manner they are in now. World Cup 2014 is surely his final chance to deliver the big prize.
He has the chance to try out some different players in this match due to the absence of a large contingent. Ecuador is an opponent which can definitely challenge a makeshift German side. Löw has the chance to show that he does not need his first choices to win games emphatically. Overall, this match should be an entertaining one to watch, especially considering the talent on show.
Previous Meetings
Ecuador 0-3 Germany (20th June 2006)
Previous Matches
Ecuador 4-1 Paraguay (26th March 2013)
Ecuador 5-0 El Salvador (21st March 2013)
Portugal 2-3 Ecuador (6th February 2013)
Venezuela 1-1 Ecuador (16th October 2012)
Ecuador 3-1 Chile (12th October 2012)
Germany 4-1 Kazakhstan (26th March 2013)
Kazakhstan 0-3 Germany (22nd March 2013)
France 1-2 Germany (6th February 2013)
Netherlands 0-0 Germany (14th November 2012)
Germany 4-4 Sweden (16th October 2012)
Prediction
Ecuador 1-2 Germany
