Die Mannschaft have slotted four goals past England and Argentina during the 2010 World Cup, although the bookmakers continue to make them the outsiders for Wednesday’s semi-final against Spain. Germany look like a team on a mission to
win this World Cup and should avoid defeat in what will be a repeat of the Euro 2008 final.
Although Thomas Muller will be suspended for the Germans, the midfield duo of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil should still see plenty of the ball and Miroslav Klose is once again proving that he’s a player for the international stage.
Spain look a little jaded after a tough World Cup campaign which has seen them scrapping ever since they lost that opening match against Switzerland. Their 1-0 victory over Paraguay wasn’t pretty and a big disadvantage is that they offer no threat from their own corners and look shaky when defending set pieces from the opposition.
PREDICTION:
GERMANY on DRAW NO BET @ 2.00 with bet365
Power Rating
Squad (3.5/5)
With the exception of Philipp Lahm and Michael Ballack nothing about the German squad screams ‘world class’ but they are always so much more than the sum of their parts.
Squad (4.5/5)
A wonderfully balanced team, perhaps lacking something in the full-back positions but otherwise as good as any in South Africa.
Coach (4/5)
Low may lack Klinsmann’s flair and flamboyance but he is far more tactically astute. The two wins over Russia proved once more Germany can deal with serious opposition, which is what they will face from the start.
Coach (4/5)
There was some doubt that Del Bosque could recapture the magic he wove at Real Madrid. Ten straight victories gave you the answer.
Attack (3/5)
Before the March friendly against Argentina, this would have been a four out of five but in Munich Germany struggled so badly against a side likely to be their quarter-final opponents that there are some serious doubts.
Attack (5/5)
There is probably no better attack in world football than Torres and Villa supported by Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas and Xabi Alonso.
Defence (3.5/5)
The spotlight, naturally, will be on Rene Adler and in qualification there were one or two cracks evident, exploited, oddly enough, by Finland who put three past them in Helsinki and drew 1-1 in Hamburg.
Defence (4/5)
It is not as feted as the forwards – defences never are - but not to concede a home goal in qualification is an awesome achievement.