Germany coach Joachim Low has been forced to make changes to his team for Thursday’s semifinal against host France in Marseille because of injuries and a suspension, including replacing key goal-scorer Mario Gomez.
Gomez, whose two goals helped the world champion to the last four, has been forced out of the rest of the tournament with a pulled hamstring. Holding midfielder Sami Khedira will also miss the clash because of a groin injury.
Central defender Mats Hummels completes the trio of absentees, sitting out the game due to suspension following a second booking in the Germans’ quarterfinal victory over Italy on penalties.
Chasing a fourth European title, Germany could also be without Bastian Schweinsteiger. Low has ruled out using his captain unless he has recovered fully from a knee ligament injury.
The German boss has to decide what to do with his forward line and whether to use Mario Gotze, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller or Leroy Sane. Gotze and Muller have both been struggling with their form.
In defence Low is unlikely to deploy a three-man central defence as he did against Italy. “Against France I still have to think about it. Italy are a team with automated plays. They are world class in playing them but they are predictable,” Low told reporters.
“France are different. They constantly change positions, they are much more unexpected and difficult to predict.”
Can likely replacement
Low is likely to use Emre Can as Khedira’s replacement with Benedikt Hoewedes slipping into the central defence for Hummels.
The French are feeling confident following their 5-2 demolition of Iceland and the euphoria in the country is growing. But, in order to reach a home final in Paris on July 10, Didier Deschamp’s team must plug their porous defence.
Leading 4-0 at halftime against Iceland, France dropped its guard, conceding two goals. Centre back Samuel Umtiti, playing his first international, was not totally commanding and Adil Rami, who was suspended, could return for the German game. Rami, however, has shown signs of nerves on several occasions, as has left back Patrice Evra, leaving France’s defence looking vulnerable, notably from set pieces.
“We’re looking better but Germany remains Germany,” said Deschamps, whose side lost to the eventual winner in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals as well as suffering painful semifinal defeats to the Germans at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
“They are the best team in Europe and in the world and the only ones totally controlling the situation, with technical quality everywhere, from the goalkeeper to the forwards,” said the coach.
“We’ll fight for our chances, knowing what we are up against.” — Reuters
Talking tactics
Both coaches have important decisions to make. Didier Deschamps must now choose between retaining the 4-2-3-1 that worked so well against Ireland (second half) and Iceland, and returning to the 4-3-3 he began the tournament with. N'Golo Kante, who is available after suspension, could be hugely effective in the middle of midfield, particularly as France need someone to press and close Mesut Ozil down. But accommodating him alongside Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi, neither of whom can do that job as well as Kante, could mean switching back to 4-3-3. That in turn will displace Antoine Griezmann from his No.10 role, where he was brilliant against Ireland and Iceland. |
It is a tough decision, unless Deschamps can find a way to achieve both objectives. It will be key for France, though, to press Toni Kroos and limit his influence, the way Italy did. Deschamps's counterpart, Jogi Loew, too has some selection headaches. |
The suspension of Mats Hummels and injuries to Mario Gomez, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger robs Germany of vital experience. |
Benedikt Howedes could replace Hummels, as Germany returns to 4-2-3-1 following Low's successful tactical reshuffle against Italy. Liverpool's Emre Can and Borussia Dortmund's Julian Weigl are candidates to fill in for Khedira. The Gomez-shaped gap, though, is less easily plugged. His presence gave Germany's attack a focal point it had previously lacked. Mario Gotze is likely to start instead, with him or Thomas Muller playing up front, a role neither player is comfortable with. The quality of Germany's players, though, is not in doubt. They will not be as generous as their Icelandic counterparts against a French defence that looked jittery. |
GERMANY: Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (1); Jonas Hector (3), Benedikt Höwedes (4), Jerome Boateng (18), Joshua Kimmich (23); Toni Kroos (21), Emre Can (14); Mesut Ozil (8), Mario Gotze (19), Julian Draxler (11); Thomas Muller (13)
France: Hugo Lloris (1); Patrice Evra (3), Laurent Koscielny (21), Adil Rami (4), Bacary Sagna (19); Blaise Matuidi (14), Paul Pogba (15), N'Golo Kante (5); Dimitri Payet (8), Antoine Griezmann (7), Olivier Giroud (9)
