STAR PREVIEW: Germany v USA
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ince winning the World Cup, Germany have uncharacteristically taken their foot off the pedal with losses against Argentina and Poland and they’ve also conceded goals against Australia, Ireland and Scotland recently.
That must give the USA hope, especially as they come into this on the back of a bizarre 3-2 win over the Netherlands (USA were 3-2 down with a couple of minutes left on the clock).
United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann said after that win: “We surprised quite a lot of people with that result in Holland, but now it’s actually on us to take the same energy, the same approach, the same discipline and tempo against the world champions. This is what we will talk to the players about. We still have to correct a couple of mistakes we did against Holland, but now keep the same approach. You’ve got to do it again. We’re hoping that over time it becomes a lifestyle that we always expect the best from ourselves in training and in the game, and there’s nothing bigger than a game against the world champions. It’s going to be the highest benchmark that we’ve experienced so far.”
The two sides have met 10 times previously and interestingly there have been no draws (Germany W7 USA W3).
The last time they met was in the World Cup in Brazil last year when Germany’s 1-0 win proved enough for both sides to advance out of the Group stage.
Germany will be without defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng and the USA are without midfielder Jermaine Jones following a groin injury.
Germany v USA
International Friendly
7.45pm BT SPORT
HEAD TO HEAD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Jun 2014 World Cup USA 0-1 Germany
Jun 2013 International USA 4-3 Germany
Mar 2006 International Germany 4-1 USA
Jun 2002 World Cup Germany 1-0 USA
Mar 2002 International Germany 4-2 USA
Jul 1999 Confederations Cup USA 2-0 Germany
Feb 1999 International USA 3-0 Germany
Jun 1998 World Cup Germany 2-0 USA
Dec 1993 International USA 0-3 Germany
Jun 1993 International USA 3-4 Germany
Given the (in)significance of the match, Germany look a tad short at around 2/5 which leads me to explore other markets on Star Sports.
Over 3.5 goals at around 5/4 looks tempting enough – given there’s nothing really at stake so we should see some free flowing football. If the USA repeat what they did against the Netherlands they’ll land the bet themselves without any contribution from the Germans !!
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