Fifa World Cup - Russia 2018

Germany vs Sweden match build up #WorldCup

TEAM NEWS

Sweden defender Victor Lindelof is expected to start against Germany on Saturday after missing Monday’s 1-0 win over South Korea because of illness.

Leeds United centre-back Pontus Jansson is likely to be replaced by the Manchester United defender, who returned to training on Thursday.

Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus is expected to start for Germany, having been on the bench against Mexico. Coach Joachim Low is set to change his side after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.

GERMANY LINE UP
1 Manuel Neuer
17 Jérôme Boateng
16 Antonio Rüdiger
3 Jonas Hector
18 Joshua Kimmich
13 Thomas Müller
8 Toni Kroos
19 Sebastian Rudy
9 Timo Werner
7 Julian Draxler
11 Marco Reus

SWEDEN LINE UP
1 Robin Olsen
4 Andreas Granqvist
3 Victor Lindelöf
6 Ludwig Augustinsson
2 Mikael Lustig
8 Albin Ekdal
7 Sebastian Larsson
10 Emil Forsberg
17 Viktor Claesson
9 Marcus Berg
20 Ola Toivonen

OVERVIEW

Defending champions Germany made a dreadful start to their bid to win back-to-back World Cups with a shock defeat by Mexico in their opening Group F game.

Hirving Lozano’s first-half goal in Moscow was decisive, with Low unimpressed by Germany’s frailty in defence. They were uncharacteristically disjointed and must avoid defeat to ensure they don’t go out in the group stages for the first time since 1938.

In contrast, Sweden marked their first appearance in the World Cup for 12 years by beating South Korea thanks to a penalty from Andreas Granqvist. At 33, the captain became the oldest player to score on his World Cup debut since Martin Palermo, who was 36 when he scored for Argentina in 2010.

They overcame a 60-year drought too because they hadn’t won their first match at a World Cup since 1958, when the tournament was held in their own backyard.

Since then, Sweden have qualified for seven World Cups – reaching Russia by defeating Italy 1-0 in a two-legged play-off, after beating the Netherlands to second place in their qualifying group.

Victory on Saturday will send them through to the knockout stages for the first time since 2006.

VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS

Germany forward Thomas Muller: “We have two hard tasks ahead of us in this group, we have to win both games.

“There is a lot of pressure. Sweden will defend deep. Sometimes you have to play fast to break down the opposing defence. But if you are not patient, this can backfire.”

Germany coach Joachim Low: “Everybody is really unhappy and crestfallen but we have to put this behind us. Our team has experience of losses.”

Sweden winger Emil Forsberg: “It will be an extremely difficult match, we are playing the world champions. But at the same time we have to enjoy it and have fun. All the pressure is on them.

“We will do what we are good at, try to keep it tight at the back and get a result. That’s the main priority.”

Sweden defender Pontus Jansson: “We know that Germany is a great football nation and we take them very seriously.

“In the match against Mexico, they didn’t really reach the standard we are used to seeing them at, but I think it was a wake up call for them and they will seek a comeback. So we have to be ready from the first minute.”

Source: BBC News