TEAM NEWS
Germany’s Mesut Ozil has recovered from the minor knee problem that caused him to miss their last warm-up match with Saudi Arabia.
Coach Joachim Low has a decision to make over whether Julian Draxler or Marco Reus starts on the left flank.
Mexico’s preparations for the tournament have been hampered by injuries to two key defenders.Nestor Araujo was omitted from the squad after failing to recover from a knee problem.
Diego Reyes, meanwhile, was ruled out on Wednesday with a long-standing hamstring injury. He was replaced by midfielder Erick Gutierrez.
GERMANY LINE UP
1 Manuel Neuer (Goalkeeper)
2 Marvin Plattenhardt (Defender)
18 Joshua Kimmich (Defender)
5 Mats Hummels (Defender)
17 Jérôme Boateng (Defender)
7 Julian Draxler (Midfielder)
6 Sami Khedira (Midfielder)
13 Thomas Müller (Midfielder)
8 Toni Kroos (Midfielder)
10 Mesut Özil (Forward)
9 Timo Werner (Forward)
MEXICO LINE UP
13 Guillermo Ochoa (Goalkeeper)
3 Carlos Salcedo (Defender)
7 Miguel Layún (Defender)
2 Hugo Ayala (Defender)
15 Héctor Moreno (Defender)
16 Héctor Herrera (Midfielder)
18 Andrés Guardado (Midfielder)
23 Jesús Gallardo (Midfielder)
14 Javier Hernández (Forward)
11 Carlos Vela (Forward)
22 Hirving Lozano (Forward)
OVERVIEW
It is odd to talk about a slump in form when it comes to Germany. But since sealing qualification for Russia with a perfect record of 10 wins from 10 and a new joint European record of 43 goals (scored by 21 different players), they have won just one of six friendly games. That solitary success was a sketchy 2-1 victory over a Saudi Arabia side who have since been thrashed 5-0 by Russia.
Aiming to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, it has not been ideal preparation, but as midfielder Toni Kroos said this week: “We have often proved that we are there when it starts.”
A daunting task awaits, then, for Mexico, especially as they were hammered 4-1 by Germany’s B team in the Confederations Cup semi-finals last year. Led by quirky Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who is a divisive figure in Mexico, their experienced squad contains 13 players with over 50 caps.
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos: “Commitment, sacrifice, self-motivation and willpower — those are the key requirements of this Germany team.
“Everyone here is an elite player and the self-confidence we all have comes from having won something major before we go into a tournament.”
Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio: “We are going to give everything we have and we have versatile players.
“Today there are players who play in other positions and they are doing well, which gives us the great possibility of having a plan B and even a plan C.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Germany have stuttered since qualifying but I think normal service will resume once the tournament starts.
Mexico have got some talented footballers and they play in a style that is easy on the eye but you would back Germany to get the job done.
Prediction: 1-0
