Germany - Russia

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 Saenk
o 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
Labels: World Cup 2010 Qual.
posted by Midnight Sun @ 21:14,
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