I am seriously excited for this match.

Germany has underwhelmed after a promising start and their 4-0 drubbing of Portugal. Facing France is a serious test of this team's credentials. If they can come through this test, they will be legitimate contenders and a serious threat to the winner of Brazil/Columbia.

I believe one of the most interesting wrinkles in this match-up is how the defensive triangle of France:

...matches up with Muller as a false9.Will Cabaye be disciplined enough to mark Muller? Will Sakho and Varane be drawn out of position by Muller's deeper position? Will Germany be capable of making the most of that space and France's marauding fullbacks? (I have to say, it's unlikely if they start two CAMs that like to drift inside...) Will Germany's 4-CB back-line be capable of dealing with such a dynamic front-3 as Griezmann-Benzema-Valbuena?

As you can see, while neither team is as exciting as watching Columbia, Brazil, or even the departed Chile, the match-up is fascinating. This is a fixture where the players, coaches and nations know each other well, and will be intimately familiar with the other's strengths and weaknesses. This is going to be a heated competition to be the last, great European hope in this world cup.

donttreadonred wrote:... This is going to be a heated competition to be the last, great European hope in this world cup.

You don't rate the Dutch?

sportsczy wrote:Benz was born in France though... but nice try.

You're seriously going to pretend he has no links to Algeria?

I was making a joke anyway.

#FRA team vs #GER: Lloris, Debuchy, Evra, Varane, Sakho, Cabaye, Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann, Matuidi, Pogba #FRAvsGER


#GER team vs #FRA: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Klose, Muller, Lahm, Kroos, Boateng #FRAvsGER

Seems like Low has learnt

Germany: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Klose, Müller, Lahm, Kroos, Boateng

France : Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra, Cabaye, Matuidi, Pogba, Griezmann, Valbuena, Benzema

Germany looks way better than expected, this match will be very very tight.

So the moaners haven't posted the lineups yet?

Neuer;Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes;Khedira, Kroos, Schweinsteiger;Oezil, Mueller, Klose

Lloris;Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra;Cabaye, Pogba, Matuidi;Griezmann, Valbuena, Benzema

EDIT: FFS French *bleep*

The fact that Schurrle isn't starting is great news. Mueller, Ozil and Klose is very narrow. Lahm at RB is a bummer though.

inb4 Lahm has a shocker at RB

And Löw has that "I told you so" look in his post-match reaction

*bleep* sake, Low has bowed down to the critics

allez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleusallez le bleus

SO Low has indeed put Lahm at RB. Lets see how the players respond now, pretty good line up from both teams and may les blues win.

that anti-German sentiment all around. What did we ever do to the world?

Anyway, we got this.

Hapless_Hans wrote:that anti-German sentiment all around. What did we ever do to the world?

Anyway, we got this.

Just to be clear, i have been supporting France after the group stages. Nothing against Germany.

Mertsacker benched?Wow.

Wilshere was true england no 10 but he was not played in that role. England were good but they got nothing out of their performances.

So far the players like wilshere in no 10 role have had very good world cups

1. Messi
2. Neymar
3. James Rodriguez

If england had played wilshere in no 10 role they would have been much better

Lahm is playing at right back but france made a mistake starting benzema instead of giroud.

Germany might go on and win this match.

Ozillllllllllllllllllllllllll is back to his best guys ! He proved in his last two games.

GODDAMIT Loew, listening to the critics But Ozil is still on the wing though

Now chances are like 60(65)/40(35) for Germany.

France looked a little open at the back there.

Ozil wins free kick leading to germanny goal

I decided to merge the analysis thing to this thread here as it was mainly about FRA - GER anyway.

Told ya benzzz isnt gona work giroud would have scored those chance plus he brings more to mid field

elitedam wrote:Did anybody else think that was a clear foul on Varane during Germany's goal?

Germany is a different team with Lahm at right back.

still not playing at their usual level though