Germany welcomes Sweden to Berlin after demolishing the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Friday.
Six goals went into the Irish net as Germany produced their best display since the defeat of Greece in the Euros. There had been a rare mini-crisis prior to the match following Bastian Schweinsteiger’s comments about lack of support in the side for each other. Schweinsteiger never apologized for his comments.
Perhaps Bastian Schweinsteiger’s words inspired the team. Germany was at their imperious best. They treated their fans (and the Irish fans) to some wonderful goals. Marco Reus got the party started with an outstanding double. Mesut Özil scored one from the spot. Miroslav Klose added one from a tight angle in his 125th cap. Toni Kroos scored a memorable double from distance to cap off a miserable night for the Irish.
Sweden has started their campaign with a perfect two wins. However, the win over one of the weakest opponents in the group, the Faroe Islands did not come easily. They fell behind by a goal and needed two quick goals from Alexander Kacaniklic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to come back into the match and take the points.
The Swedes continue to rely on the old guard. They are led by PSG man Ibrahimovic. They boast a fantastic striker of the ball in Kim Kallstrom. On the bench, they have a player who was considered by many to be one of the best young players not too long ago, Marcus Berg. Berg however is yet to live up to that potential.
The last two meetings between these sides came in 2006; Germany won both without too many problems. The first one was in the World Cup. Germany won 2-0 as Miro Klose set up two goals for then young sensation and current Arsenal star Lukas Podolski. A second meeting took place in August. Germany won 3-0 this time with a strike from Bernd Schneider along with a double for Klose.
Germany comes into this one with a question mark hanging on Sami Khedira. Khedira was taken off at half-time against Ireland with what Joachim Löw later said was a minor injury. He might not be fit in time for the Sweden clash – expect Toni Kroos to start in a pairing with club mate Bastian Schweinsteiger in defensive midfield.
Mario Götze will probably be back for this one too after sitting out Friday’s clash next to Philipp Lahm. The captain will resume his duties in this one after serving out his suspension. He wasn’t required against Ireland but Sweden will perhaps pose more problems for the back-line than the Irish did. Lahm’s return means that Holger Badstuber will be allowed to return to the centre.
In the absence of Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker will perhaps continue to deputize. He has been in good form for his club. Holger Badstuber should be his partner. Marcel Schmelzer’s good showing might have helped his cause a bit more as Löw had singled him out for criticism last week. The safer option though would be to simply field Jerome Boateng there.
The main player for Germany will be Schweinsteiger regardless of who else plays. It was Schweinsteiger’s words that ensured that problems in the German camp were brought out. He played wonderfully and dominantly against Ireland and was the unsung hero as Reus and Kroos took the headlines.
Provided that Schweinsteiger continues to play in the manner in which he has recently, Germany will perhaps win this one. However, the victory will not come without a struggle.
Prediction: Germany 2-1 Sweden
Perhaps Bastian Schweinsteiger’s words inspired the team. Germany was at their imperious best. They treated their fans (and the Irish fans) to some wonderful goals. Marco Reus got the party started with an outstanding double. Mesut Özil scored one from the spot. Miroslav Klose added one from a tight angle in his 125th cap. Toni Kroos scored a memorable double from distance to cap off a miserable night for the Irish.
Sweden has started their campaign with a perfect two wins. However, the win over one of the weakest opponents in the group, the Faroe Islands did not come easily. They fell behind by a goal and needed two quick goals from Alexander Kacaniklic and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to come back into the match and take the points.
The Swedes continue to rely on the old guard. They are led by PSG man Ibrahimovic. They boast a fantastic striker of the ball in Kim Kallstrom. On the bench, they have a player who was considered by many to be one of the best young players not too long ago, Marcus Berg. Berg however is yet to live up to that potential.
The last two meetings between these sides came in 2006; Germany won both without too many problems. The first one was in the World Cup. Germany won 2-0 as Miro Klose set up two goals for then young sensation and current Arsenal star Lukas Podolski. A second meeting took place in August. Germany won 3-0 this time with a strike from Bernd Schneider along with a double for Klose.
Germany comes into this one with a question mark hanging on Sami Khedira. Khedira was taken off at half-time against Ireland with what Joachim Löw later said was a minor injury. He might not be fit in time for the Sweden clash – expect Toni Kroos to start in a pairing with club mate Bastian Schweinsteiger in defensive midfield.
Mario Götze will probably be back for this one too after sitting out Friday’s clash next to Philipp Lahm. The captain will resume his duties in this one after serving out his suspension. He wasn’t required against Ireland but Sweden will perhaps pose more problems for the back-line than the Irish did. Lahm’s return means that Holger Badstuber will be allowed to return to the centre.
In the absence of Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker will perhaps continue to deputize. He has been in good form for his club. Holger Badstuber should be his partner. Marcel Schmelzer’s good showing might have helped his cause a bit more as Löw had singled him out for criticism last week. The safer option though would be to simply field Jerome Boateng there.
The main player for Germany will be Schweinsteiger regardless of who else plays. It was Schweinsteiger’s words that ensured that problems in the German camp were brought out. He played wonderfully and dominantly against Ireland and was the unsung hero as Reus and Kroos took the headlines.
Provided that Schweinsteiger continues to play in the manner in which he has recently, Germany will perhaps win this one. However, the victory will not come without a struggle.
Prediction: Germany 2-1 Sweden
