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Germany vs Argentina Match Preview
Only 101 days away from the World Cup, this friendly match will be of utmost importance for both teams, as it could be a preview of what might happen in South Africa.
Germany will be lacking many important players, but nonetheless they find themselves as the favorite on this giant's clash.
After a disastrous qualification, Maradona and his players are eager to show they are ready to reach glory once again. During the last few months Argentina has played a series of friendly matches in which Maradona tested many local players. But the team's performance has left a bitter aftertaste on Diego's lips. As a result, only three local players were called for this match against Germany; Juan Sebastian Veron and Clemente Rodriguez (Both from Estudiantes La Plata) and Nicolas Otamendi (Velez).
It is strange not to see Martin Palermo within the called players, as he has provided team's coach with at least a goal at every match. But with 36 years, it's understandable Maradona is looking for a fresher alternative to enhance Argentina's offensive.
A look at the squad for this match does not unveil many surprises. Javier Pastore has been called to fill in the space Roman Riquelme left since his controversial fight with Maradona. The former Huracan Midfielder has performed outstandingly when he had the chance to play for the Albiceleste, and considering his current performance as one of Palermo's key players, this will be his opportunity to take a place in the National Team.
Jesus Datolo has been recalled by Maradona, giving him another opportunity to show he's worth a place at the World Cup, but a muscular problem is likely to keep him off the pitch.
Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria will have a place within the starting eleven; Pipita has become Real Madrid's main offensive weapon, even sidelining Karim Benzema to the bench.
Di Maria is leading Benfica to glory, becoming everyone's favorite to be chosen as league's most valuable player. Having just turned 22 years old two weeks ago, he scored first hat-trick last week against Leixoes, and now the subtle interest many major European teams has shown towards the Pibito is likely to reach its peak. During the last few weeks he has been regarded as "Faster than his own shadow" and "Technically impressive".
The third engine of Maradona's offensive will be Lio Messi, who has not yet found his place within Diego's strategy, Higuain, Messi, Di Maria and Jonas Gutierrez will provide the team with the speed and aggressiveness to reach their opponent's goal, while Veron and Mascherano's expertise will be in charge of reducing the spaces and securely conducting the ball. Team's captain Javier Mascherano also managed to score last week for Liverpool, so it seems for this match Argentina's weapons will be coated in venom.
Germany has smoothly established itself as a candidate for this edition of the World Cup, leading their group undefeated after 10 matches, in which they suffered only one goal. Rene Adler will be the man between the posts against Argentina, and he has a great burden to bear, as former Germany's goalkeeper Jens Lehman tasted glory after blocking both Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso's penalty shots in the last encounter between the two teams, which took place at the quarter finals of 2006's world cup.
The two biggest surprises in the squad will be Toni Kroos (playing for the Bayer Leverkusen, being chosen for the second time as footballer of the month in the German League) and Thomas Muller (who has scored 13 goals and assisted on 10 times during the last 33 games for the Bayern Munich), while Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marcell Jansen will join the injured Heiko Westermann and Simon Rolfes in the bench.
This match will not be regarded as a friendly match for the Teutons, as Germany's newspaper Bild clearly states "It will be a test of fire towards World's Cup 2010". Many of the players that faced Argentina last time will be on the fields this Wednesday, and this continuity will be one of Germany's main advantages against Argentina, who has tested over one hundred players during the last 23 games.
This match will be the chance for Joachim Löw to even the score against Argentina, as his National Footbal Team has obtained six victories against the Albiceleste, who managed to obtain seven triumphs and three draws.
