Germany - Russia

A month after a weakened German side drew 3-3 against Finland, German coach Joachim Loew has the opportunity to make up for his side’s poor performance with a victory over Euro 2008 semifinalists Russia. In Helsinki, Loew’s side was unconvincing at best, falling behind three times only to be saved by a Miroslav Klose hat-trick. Loew’s squad against Finland included several changes to his usual set lineup: centre-backs Serdar Tasci and Heiko Westermann were granted starts over Christoph Metzelder and the injured Per Mertesacker, and central midfield pairing Thomas Hitzlsperger and Simon Rolfes started in place of the injured Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings.

Following a stellar Euro 2008 campaign that resulted in a place in the semifinals, Russia are back on the radar among the European elite. Along with the Netherlands, Russia helped to change the style of international European football by performing exceedingly well despite relying heavily on their offense to carry them through. When the two sides met in the quarterfinals, it was the Russians that defeated a Dutch side that featured such offensive talents as Rafael Van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooij. Indeed, by a margin of 3-1, Russia won the “battle of the offensive powers.” Russia received a boost on Wednesday as they passed Portugal, France and Turkey on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings, securing a spot in 9th place. This was Russia’s best placement since October of 1997. To be honest, I think the Russians are even better than their ranking, and could shock any of the top ten. That’s what they’ll try to do on Saturday as they visit Euro finalists Germany.

Germany

Having missed last month’s qualifiers against Finland and Liechtenstein, right back Arne Friedrich, centre-back Per Mertesacker and central midfield pairing Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings return to Joachim Loew’s squad. Germany will be without left-back Marcell Jansen (thigh), goalkeeper Robert Enke (wrist), and right-back Andreas Hinkel (thigh). Additionally, centre-back Christoph Metzelder, left-back Christian Pander, and right-winger Marko Marin have been dropped Defensive midfielder Jermaine Jones and goalkeeper Rene Adler also will return for Loew’s side, the latter being set to make his first start for “Die Mannschaft.”

Probable Starting XI: Adler – Lahm, Westermann, Mertesacker, Fritz – Trochowski, Ballack, Frings, Schweinsteiger – Podolski, Klose

Russia

Centre back Denis Kolodin (ankle), Dmitri Torbinski (groin), and Roman Pavlyuchenko (ankle) will be missing for Guus Hiddink’s side. In defense, one of the Berezutsky twins (Alexei or Vasili) will deputize. In place of Torbinski, Spartak Moscow midfielder Ivan Saenko will get his 13th cap. The injury to Pavlyuchenko does have one good point for Hiddink: he will not have to choose between the Tottenham Hotspur forward and now definite starter Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Probable Starting XI: Akinfeev – Zhirkov, Ignashevich, Berezutsky, Anyukov – Saenko, Semak, Semshov, Zyryanov – Arshavin, Pogrebnyak

For me this game is 50-50..both teams have goos squads and play ofensive football. Over 2.5 seems the obvious choise

posted by Midnight Sun @ 21:14,

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