Algeria Eye German Revenge

Key Players - Germany: Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos; Algeria: Islam Slimani and Sofiane Feghouli

Hyderabad: Revenge as a dish is best served cold and the knockout fixture between Germany and Algeria at Porto Alegre on Tuesday offers the Algerians a chance to avenge the painful 32-year-old ‘Disgrace of Gijon’ scar, once and for all. The combination is a sure shot recipe for one hell of a tantalising game.

On paper, though, the fixture looks as a ‘no-contest’ with the Germans having top quality players in every position. But there is a mesmerising rider that could make the engagement a truly memorable one. Algeria, who like Egypt, enjoy the distinction of having tamed the mighty Germans in all their head-to-head fixtures, will be surcharged as they will be thirsting for vengeance, all over again.

Germans’ strength is up front. Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose have the unnerving ability to find the net under pressure and they are kept constantly busy by the hyper-active midfielder Toni Kroos, with active support from livewires Phillip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

In hindsight, Joachim Loew, who dotes on a fluid 4-3-3 formation, will find that his boys lack tactical flexibility. Loew’s concern though is Benedikt Howedes, who is not a natural left back and exposed his limitations in the position, a weakness that Algeria’s wily Sofiane Feghouli will look to exploit.

Per Mertasacker is superb in dealing with aerial challenges but struggles against quick forwards, Loew might be looking at the possibility of playing Lahm as left back and pairing Schweinsteiger with Sami Khedira, to counter the rampaging star right winger Feghouli.

The Algerians need to activate central defensive pair of Madjid Bouguerra and Rafik Halliche. Though the team has defended well as a unit, they looked vulnerable every time they were singled out. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic might opt for a defensive midfielder at an expense of a forward to bolster the defence.

Although, both coaches have played down the ‘grudge match’ equation, while Germans eye the July 13 finale, Algerians will invoke Ramadan blessings for launching their festivities.

Probable Lineups: Germany: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Benedikt Howedes, Phillip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller Algeria: Rias M’Bolhi, Aiss Mandi, Rafik Halliche, Madjid Bouguerra, Djamel Mesbah, Carl Medjani, Nabil Bentaleb, Sofiane Feghouli, Yacine Brahimi, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Islam Slimani.