Key Battles That Will Shape Germany's Clash with Argentina
Germany take on Argentina in a repeat of the 2014 World Cup Final.
Wednesday's clash is just 52 days after the "Magic of the Maracana." A lot has happened since the Germans lifted the World Cup. The euphoria still lingers, as 45,000 fans flocked to witness the returning heroes in a public training session.
Miroslav Klose, Per Mertesacker and Philipp Lahm have all retired from the international stage, while Bastian Schweinsteiger was named the new skipper in succession to his Bayern buddy Lahm.
Lionel Messi and Mesut Ozil are the biggest names ruled out of this prestigious friendly in Dusseldorf.
Let's look at the key factors that will ultimately decide the World Cup final rematch.
Reus vs. Zabaleta
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Marco Reus missed out on all the fun in South America after picking up an injury on the eve of the tournament.
The 25-year-old attacker only returned to action with his club Borussia Dortmund a couple of weeks ago.
Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has speculated a host of clubs are interested in signing Reus, per David Lynch of the Manchester Evening News, and this prestigious friendly gives him the perfect stage to showcase his talents and show the watching world what it missed in Brazil.
Reus will line up against Pablo Zabaleta, one of the most reliable defenders in the world game. If Reus can outfox the wily Manchester City pro, then Germany will be well on their way to victory.
Gotze vs. Demichelis
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Mario Gotze was the difference between the two sides in the World Cup Final with the precious winning goal in extra-time.
Gotze has enjoyed a relatively quiet start to the Bundesliga season. However, he will look to pick up where he left off against Martin Demichelis.
The ex-Bayern Munich defender is normally a rock at the back for the Argentinians and will be keen to impress on his return to Germany.
Muller vs. Rojo
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Marcos Rojo will lock horns again with Germany's leading scorer at the World Cup, Thomas Muller.
Manchester United's new signing Rojo faces Muller, a player heavily linked with the Old Trafford club prior to extending his contract on the eve of the World Cup at Bayern Munich, according to Ben Curtis of the Mirror.
United’s big-spending boss, Louis van Gaal, quipped, via the Rheinische Post (in German), that Muller consistently performs during his rumbustious spell in charge in Munich from 2009 to 2011.
Honours were even in the World Cup Final, as the heavily tattooed Roja enjoyed a fierce battle with the marauding Muller.
Kroos vs. Mascherano
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Toni Kroos swapped Bayern for Real Madrid after the World Cup. Not everyone in Munich is thought to be enamoured that he is gone. A fee of around €30m was enough to secure the services of the 24-year-old midfielder. Kroos is expected to flourish at the Champions League holders.
The combative Javier Mascherano is likely to captain the Argentinians in the absence of Lionel Messi. The 30-year-old ex-Liverpool star can be relied on to always give his all for his country and will attempt to keep Kroos quiet. Their battle will be an intriguing one in midfield.
Ginter/Rudiger vs. Aguero
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Sergio Aguero will likely play up front for the Argentinians and is sure to provide a stern test to an inexperienced German defence.
"#Löw: "@JB17Official and @matshummels are out for #GERARG. Sami #Khedira is a doubt."
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 2, 2014"
First-choice central defenders Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng will definitely miss the game through injury. Therefore, it would seem a perfect opportunity to give Matthias Ginter or Antonio Rudiger a chance at the heart of the German rearguard.
Ginter (20) has won two caps, while Rudiger (21) just has the solitary appearance for Die Nationalmannschaft.
Aguero should have some fun against the unproven Germany back line.
Durm vs. Di Maria
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Like Marco Reus of Germany, Angel Di Maria is another star to have been denied the biggest game of his life. Di Maria missed the latter stages of the World Cup with an injury incurred in the win over Switzerland.
Manchester United's new signing is expected to start on Wednesday, when he will try to assume Lionel Messi's mantle.
"Erik #Durm, who has extended his contract at Dortmund, is expected to start against #Argentina (pic via @BVB) #GERARG pic.twitter.com/xxHXgBACqp
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 2, 2014"
Eric Durm, another German defender with just a solitary cap, should line up against Di Maria in a very unfamiliar defensive unit. The ex-Real Madrid star will expose any frailty at the back from the world champions.
Coaches Low vs. Martino
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Joachim Low pitted his wits against Alex Sabella on the touchline in July's World Cup Final.
Fast forward 52 days to Dusseldorf and the German coach faces a new incumbent in the Argentina hot seat
The 51-year-old Gerardo Martino was only appointed three weeks ago by the Albiceleste to succeed Sabella, who has stepped down.
The new Argentina supremo is trying to rebuild his reputation after being unceremoniously dumped by Barcelona. He will pit his wits on debut as coach against Low.
"The priority is not the result," Martino told the press in Buenos Aires before flying to Europe.
"What's important is that there's a good atmosphere in the squad," he added.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Low is not resting on his laurels after success in Brazil.
"We won the World Cup, but that's in the past now," Low stressed to reporters.
Neuer vs. Argentina
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Rather like Oliver Kahn at his peak, Manuel Neuer often has an unnerving effect on opposition strikers as they bear down on goal.
See Gonzalo Higuain in the World Cup final. The burly Argentina striker panicked as he was presented with a gilt-edged chance to give his country the lead. All Higuain had to do...
"#Löw: "@Manuel_Neuer will lead #Germany out onto the pitch tomorrow against #Argentina." pic.twitter.com/berXzTTnef
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 2, 2014"
Neuer is currently the best goalkeeper in the world. He has an imposing aura about him, which Argentina will do well to breach.
Gonzalo Higuain vs. Inner Demons
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That missed chance in the World Cup Final will probably haunt Gonzalo Higuain for a long time.
To add insult to injury, the Argentina striker was later unceremoniously flattened by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Higuain has the opportunity to exorcise some inner demons against the Germans, but whatever happens on Wednesday, it will not make up for the absolute wretchedness of that miss.
Follow Mark Lovell @LovellLowdown.
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