Germany vs Portugal
Monday, June 16, 2014
Germany v Portugal
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Kick-off: 12.00
Germany (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Hoewedes; Khedira, Lahm; Kroos, Özil, Podolski; Müller.
Test: Neuer (shoulder).
Portugal (Possible, 4-3-3): Patricio; Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Coentrao; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles; Ronaldo, Almeida, Varela.
Test: Ronaldo (knee).
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia).
Team News
Manuel Neuer has been passed fit to face Portugal.
The German goalkeeper returned to training last Wednesday after a month out recovering from a shoulder injury.
Roman Weidenfeller kept goal for Germany’s final two warm-up matches against Cameroon and Armenia, but Neuer will play.
Bastian Schweinsteiger will be available after taking a 60km helicopter flight to hospital to treat a foot injury
Portugal, meanwhile, will include Cristiano Ronaldo despite a lingering knee problem.
Match Notes
Two European powers clash in Salvador where Cristiano Ronaldo will be determined to give Portugal a good start.
Germany have a reputation for starting well in World Cups, having won their opening match in every World Cup since 1990.
And they will rely heavily on Arsenal trio Per Mertesacker, Mesut Özil and Lukas Podolski.
There will be some familiarity; the teams were drawn together in the qualifying group at Euro 2012, with Germany winning 1-0 with a goal from Mario Gomez.
Both qualified and Germany reached the final. Same again?
Stat of the game: This is Germany’s 100th game in the World Cup finals, while Germany striker Miroslav Klose is one strike away from equalling a tournament record of 15 goals held by Brazilian striker Ronaldo.
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