The World Cup Quarterfinals kick off with France vs. Germany this Friday at the Maracana in Rio. The match is scheduled for noon, Eastern Time.
Your Mandatory "No love lost between these two teams" Video
That one time that German keeper sent that French striker to the hospital during a World Cup semifinal....
Uniforms
I give the advantage to France, only because a German uniform without the black shorts is a disgrace. Seriously, Adidas. You and I have issues that need to be worked out.
Three Burning Questions
1. Who will play Right Back for Die Mannschaft?
The injury to Mustafi will force German manager Joachim Low to make a lineup change: 1) he can move Höwedes to the right, Boateng to the left, and reinsert Mats Hummels into the lineup, or 2) he can move Phillip Lahm to his familiar right back position, and play Schweinsteiger/Khedira/Kroos in the middle, with Özil and Götze in more advanced positions behind Müller.
2. Will Griezmann be in the Starting XI for Les Bleus?
The Real Sociedad winger was key in opening up the Nigerian defense, winning the corner that led to Paul Pogba's goal and then provoking the own goal that sealed the match. Olivier Giroud got the start in the Round of 16 match but did not play well, and that's an understatement. Benzema is a better player when playing as a true #9, which he can do with Griezmann playing out wide.
3. Which goalkeeper will make the game-changing save?
Manuel Neuer is widely acclaimed as one of the world's best GKs, but this discussion is not as clear-cut as you might think. Hugo Lloris is really good, even if he has not been tested much in this tournament. Once you go deep into the knockout rounds, having a World Class goalkeeper can make all the difference. See: Howard, Tim. I think Lloris will come up big during the 2nd half.
Germany will win if...
...if Özil plays at a superstar level. The Arsenal midfielder was atrocious during most of the match against Algeria, even if he did score what turned out to be the game-winning goal at the end of extra time. If he can connect with the other midfielders and feed decent balls to Müller, Germany will advance.
France will win if...
... Benzema and/or Valbuena can get in one-on-one situations against another key Arsenal man, Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker has been under scrutiny due to his lack of speed, which GK/Libero Manuel Neuer has had to make up for with his daring play.
The Final Score
France 2 - Germany 1. Germany may have more individual talent but France has looked like the better team so far. A late Benzema strike off a quick counter sends the Mannschaft home.
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
World Cup 2014 - Round of 16, Day 3
Here are your predictions for today, June 30th, 2014.
France vs. Nigeria
I don't think there's a more physically imposing squad than the Nigerians in this tournament. This is most exemplified by their striker, Emmanuel Emenike. The matchup between him and Mamadou Sakho will be one to watch. However, the draw did not do them any favors as they have to face a French team that put on the most impressive display of football in this World Cup, while racing to a 5-0 lead against the Swiss.
I think this will be a tight game where France prevails, but not without a few scares along the way. This is a Nigerian team that gave Argentina fits, overpowered the Bosnians, yet couldn't solve Iran. A late goal makes the scoreline look better for France, but Nigeria will definitely hang around.
Prediction:
France 3 - Nigeria 1
(UPDATE: Sakho is out with an injury. Real Madrid's Varane gets the start.)
Germany vs. Algeria
I just mentioned before that I didn't think there was a more physically imposing squad in the tournament than Nigeria. Well, if that's true, then Algeria is not a distant 2nd. We tend to stereotype African teams as fast and powerful. They will try to beat you with their God-given attributes, not with skill. This team plays right into that stereotype. They overpowered South Korea in their group match, gave Belgium all it could handle, and exerted its will against the Russians during the 2nd half of their match.
All of that said, you can't bet against DAS UBER FUßBALL MACHINEN. Too much skill, too much quality, and Germany NEVER loses before the Quarterfinals. They win comfortably, and look for Müller to score again, maybe even a brace. This would be the upset of the tournament if Algeria were to find a way to keep this close.
Prediction:
Germany 4 - Algeria 0
France vs. Nigeria
I don't think there's a more physically imposing squad than the Nigerians in this tournament. This is most exemplified by their striker, Emmanuel Emenike. The matchup between him and Mamadou Sakho will be one to watch. However, the draw did not do them any favors as they have to face a French team that put on the most impressive display of football in this World Cup, while racing to a 5-0 lead against the Swiss.
I think this will be a tight game where France prevails, but not without a few scares along the way. This is a Nigerian team that gave Argentina fits, overpowered the Bosnians, yet couldn't solve Iran. A late goal makes the scoreline look better for France, but Nigeria will definitely hang around.
Prediction:
France 3 - Nigeria 1
(UPDATE: Sakho is out with an injury. Real Madrid's Varane gets the start.)
Germany vs. Algeria
I just mentioned before that I didn't think there was a more physically imposing squad in the tournament than Nigeria. Well, if that's true, then Algeria is not a distant 2nd. We tend to stereotype African teams as fast and powerful. They will try to beat you with their God-given attributes, not with skill. This team plays right into that stereotype. They overpowered South Korea in their group match, gave Belgium all it could handle, and exerted its will against the Russians during the 2nd half of their match.
All of that said, you can't bet against DAS UBER FUßBALL MACHINEN. Too much skill, too much quality, and Germany NEVER loses before the Quarterfinals. They win comfortably, and look for Müller to score again, maybe even a brace. This would be the upset of the tournament if Algeria were to find a way to keep this close.
Prediction:
Germany 4 - Algeria 0
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