GERMANY TAKE ON FRANCE
IT’LL BE A FINAL BEFORE FINAL AT EURO ’16
MARSEILLE: Didier Deschamps’ talented France block the path of Germany’s spluttering juggernaut in Thursday’s Euro 2016 semi-final and the world champions have mounting personnel problems.
With an element of revenge in the air, France can expect nearfanatical support from home fans in Marseille as they seek a place in Sunday’s Paris final.
The hosts are buoyed by a 5-2 quarter-final thumping of plucky minnows Iceland when Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet all netted at the Stade de France.
Germany are also confident mood, despite missing key players with injury and suspension after their penalty shoot-out win over Italy in the last eight.
France are unbeaten in their last nine games, while Germany have not lost in their last six.
“For us, there is no fear. We know that France are loaded with good individual players, but they are under pressure as hosts,” said Germany forward Thomas Mueller.
Germany’s tense penalty shootout win in Bordeaux came at a high price.
Centre-back Mats Hummels picked up a yellow card which sees him suspended in Marseille.
Striker Mario Gomez and midfielder Sami Khedira picked up thigh and groin injuries respectively which rule them out of the semi-final.
To compound their problems, Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is highly doubtful with a knee strain.
Germany coach Joachim Loew is set to resort to a 4-2-3-1 formation having used a 3-5-2 against Italy.
With Gomez out, World Cupwinner Mario Goetze is set to start up front, but Loew said he may play his Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Mueller alongside him in attack.
With Hummels suspended, Shkodran Mustafi or Benedikt Hoewedes will partner Jerome Boateng at centre-back with Joshua Kimmich at right-back and Jonas Hector on the left.
Loew has said he expects to introduce a new face into the midfield with Liverpool’s Emre Can or Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund set to partner Toni Kroos in the defensive midfield.
France striker Giroud has scored against Manuel Neuer in each of the last three games for France and Arsenal, a threat the Germans must counter.
“He is a very dangerous poacher inside the box,” said Neuer.
“He is strong in the air, he is dangerous for central defenders.
“But we know him and can prepare for him and they have a lot of other quality players.”
For France, defender Adil Rami and midfielder N’Golo Kante are back in contention after missing the win over Iceland through suspension. The French camp is full of praise for the world champions, but the message is clear.
“We’d like to write another chapter in French football history,” said Giroud.