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Germany vs Argentina Match Preview
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.
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.
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.
Among the several friendly fixtures that will take place on that day, the USA will be playing Holland at the Amsterdam ArenA at 14:30 Eastern Time.
The USA's 20-man roster – quick info
After a harsh qualification, Uruguay finally managed to obtain a place in South Africa, and they know they must make the most of this opportunity not to be left with a bitter taste in their mouth. They've entered a death group, facing World Cup's host South Africa along with an European giant (France) and a Latin American promise yet unable to take off (Mexico). They have booked their place for the World Cup upon a draw last November home, making their victory in the first leg of the South America/CONCACAF play-off be enough to take them to the Cup.
Switzerland surprised everyone during the qualifications stages, silently standing above France in their group. Now they have a dark future within group H, as it's unlikely to see them comfortable with Spain and Chile lurking around them. But team's expectations fly sky-high since Switzerland's U-17 National Football Team was crowned champion at Nigeria. This will be the ninth time the Helvetics take part in a World Cup, and Ottmar Hitzfeld is confident this will be the first time they get to quarter-finals or even further. It is yet to be seen how will team's coach be able to stand against Uruguay, as he'll be lacking four important players: Team's goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, Benjamin Huggel (from Basilea), Alexander Frei and Blaise Nkufo. But it does not cloud Hitzfeld's judgment: fast as lightning he called Xherdan Shaqir, Jonathan Rossini and Davide Chiumiento to represent their country for the first time in this match. Shaqiri, aged 18, was regarded by the coach as a diamond in the rough, being brought up as a star by Basilea's coach Thorsten Fink, and he has finally been given an oppotunity to lead a whole nation's glory towards the right end
