Whilst the other semi-final pits Cristiano Ronaldo against Gareth Bale, the battle of the world’s best goalkeepers is the sub plot to Thursday night’s clash between Germany and France.
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He is the big-name forward yet to score at Euro 2016, but Thomas Mueller says his main concern is helping Germany beat France in Thursday s Euro 2016 semi-final.
Schweinsteiger’s fitness has been closely monitored this week after he sustained minor knee ligament damage in the dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Italy in Bordeaux on Saturday.
Low said: “He trained this morning and there were no problems”. He believes Basti’s “experience is even more important” now.
He said: “They have filled up on confidence with the win over Iceland, they have grown together as a team”.
Low will still have to reshuffle his side to cope with the absences of Hummels and Gomez, but he insists he has complete faith in the players that will step in.
If France let Germany have too much of the ball and dictate play then we have seen what they can do, but if they have a go at them then there are definitely areas where they can hurt the world champions. “I trust 100 per cent in the players that will be in the starting line-up and those that will come on, and I hope it won’t disturb our style of play”. This was something that Deschamps couldn’t do in the friendlies, before the tournament, because he was dealing with a significantly different set of players. “We have all the weapons to put in a good performance and to reach the final”, he said. “The injury is as good as cured and he is very, very important for our team”. Germany have enough quality to trouble the hosts, although with the two sides so well-matched the Draw as the outsider of the three would be the smart selection in this market. We have to be compact in defence.
Germany’s quarter-final against Italy went to penalties and could have gone either way, which will give the French encouragement because they have got more flair and creativity than the Italians. “They really cared about us”. Prior to that, their only success on the worldwide stage was at Euro 1984, when Michel Platini inspired them to glory in another tournament staged in France. Their last game against Iceland was impressive but we have noticed a couple of weaknesses.
They have matured in recent years, knowing exactly where – and, more importantly, when – to attack their opposition.
Germany did not surrender a goal in the tournament until Italy scored at the 78-minute mark of regulation time to tie the game at 1-1 in the quarterfinals.
The loss of Khedira to a groin injury is an especially big blow to Germany.
The 26-year-old Mueller, who contributed nine goals in nine qualifying games for Euro 2016, has missed a host of chances in five games so far, extending his scoreless record from Euro 2012.
Germany’s top scorer with two goals and only out-and- out striker Mario Gomez is out of the semi-final with torn muscle fibres.
The French became unbeaten in eight games with their win over Iceland and if they make the final and win it will be the first time they have been crowned European Champions since 2000.
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After opening deadlocked with the Germans on the three-way odds at +188, France has inched ahead at the sportsbooks, improving to +180, while Germany’s odds are now at +200.
