Loew’s Germany face acid test against old foes France f

(AFP) – Under-fire Germany face rejuvenated France in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium in a clash of two European powerhouses. Nigeria's Ahmed Musa and France's Mathieu Debuchy vie for the ball in Brasilia. Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa and France’s Mathieu Debuchy vie for the ball in Brasilia. This represents an acid test for Germany coach Joachim Loew after eight years in charge with his side heavily criticised at home for below-par performances at Brazil 2014. A place in Tuesday’s semi-final against either Brazil or Colombia in Belo Horizonte is at stake. “Didier Deschamps has turned France around since 2010 and we’re looking forward to another classic,” said Loew who took charge after the 2006 World Cup. The German camp has been blighted by illness in the build-up with Loew revealing seven of his squad have suffered with light ‘flu symptoms and sore throats. The full squad trained at the Maracana on Thursday and Loew is relishing the “magic” of the knock-out stages, but says a good result takes precedence over a good performance. Their 4-0 hammering of Portugal in their opening group match confirmed their status amongst the world’s elite. But having been held to a 2-2 draw by Ghana, then grinding out a 1-0 win over the USA in their final group match, poor finishing saw Germany labour to a 2-1 extra-time win over Algeria in Monday’s last 16 clash. Former captains Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthaeus have all questioned Loew’s selections with playmaker Mesut Ozil struggling and centre-backs Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes being played out of position as wing-backs. Loew has a contract with the German FA (DFB) until June 2016, but a quarter-final exit will put him under pressure to resign despite steering his side to the semi-finals of the last three major tournaments. The Germany boss says his side’s best football at Brazil 2014 is still to come. “We have not yet delivered our best possible performances, that is to come still,” Loew told a press conference here Thursday. “This isn’t some easy-to-figure out computer game and your own team isn’t always easy to programme, but you have to find the right combinations. “You either win and stay or lose and go home.” In contrast, France have risen steadily under their coach Deschamps and are unrecognisable from their chaotic 2010 campaign in South Africa. With Karim Benzema in top form, France are dreaming of their first World Cup title since their 1998 triumph on home soil, but their focus is solely on Germany. “There is no apprehension or fear. There is no reason for us to feel any,” said Deschamps. “Germany are a solid side with lots of experience of this level but this game will be a pleasure for us and we are preparing ourselves as well as possible for it.” Honours are even in terms of recent meetings with France claiming a 2-1 win in Bremen in February 2012, while Germany claimed revenge by the exact same scoreline in Paris 12 months later. The French lead the series with 11 wins to Germany’s eight in 25 previous meetings. Both sides played down the relevance of their legendary 1982 World Cup semi-final, which Germany won 5-4 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 extra-time draw. The Seville game attained notoriety when Germany keeper Harald Schumacher shoulder-charged Patrick Battiston, leaving the Frenchman unconscious on the ground. With the media quick to ask whether France can claim some World Cup revenge, both Loew and Deschamps pointed to the fact most of their respective players were not born at the time. Germany should have centre-back Mats Hummels back after missing the Algeria win with flu, while Lukas Podolski is fit again after a thigh strain. There is a question mark over France defender Raphael Varane, who spent the night in hospital with dehydration after Monday’s 2-0 win over Nigeria in the last 16. Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is fit again after knee problems, while it remains to be seen who Deschamps names as striker between Olivier Giroud or Antoine Griezmann. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/loews-germany-face-acid-test-old-foes-france/#sthash.RMMsP9Fd.dpuf