Germany considers starting with Cacau
Source: Agencies |
June 23, 2010, Wednesday
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GERMANY could start with two strikers, one of whom will almost certainly be Cacau, when the three-time World Cup winner takes on Ghana today for a spot in the next round, coach Joachim Loew said yesterday.
Forward Miroslav Klose is suspended for its final Group D game after being sent off in its defeat to Serbia and in-form Cacau looks set to win his 11th cap.
"At the moment I tend to think that Cacau can play from the start," Loew told reporters in Pretoria after opting not to take the team to Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium for training to avoid a rush-hour bus ride.
Germany needs to beat Ghana to make sure it is not eliminated at the group stage for the first time in its World Cup history.
The African team is top with four points ahead of Germany and Serbia on three.
Loew said substitute strikers Stefan Kiessling and Mario Gomez were also ready to step in but the Brazil-born Cacau seemed to have the edge.
"Maybe I will change one or two positions, that is possible. There are several variations but the final decision will be taken this evening with the coaching staff," Loew said.
"But in attack I am leaning towards Cacau."
Loew did not rule out starting with two forwards after playing its first two games with a lone striker in Klose, to add more offensive punch to his team. "I do not want to answer that (question) but we could indeed play a 4-4-2," he said, when asked whether he was considering fielding a second striker from the start.
Ghana could become the first African nation to advance to the next stage, something Loew said gave its rivals extra motivation. "We know that Ghana are Africa's last real hope in this tournament and the other teams do not have such a good position as Ghana."
"They are a highly motivated team and can handle pressure like the one tomorrow well. They have shown that. Many of their players are playing in Europe so they are used to this pressure."
He did however have no doubt his team would avoid going out at the first hurdle.
"We all know we have the quality and potential to win this match. I know it will be enormously difficult.
"This game will drain us not only mentally but also physically," he said.
Forward Miroslav Klose is suspended for its final Group D game after being sent off in its defeat to Serbia and in-form Cacau looks set to win his 11th cap.
"At the moment I tend to think that Cacau can play from the start," Loew told reporters in Pretoria after opting not to take the team to Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium for training to avoid a rush-hour bus ride.
Germany needs to beat Ghana to make sure it is not eliminated at the group stage for the first time in its World Cup history.
The African team is top with four points ahead of Germany and Serbia on three.
Loew said substitute strikers Stefan Kiessling and Mario Gomez were also ready to step in but the Brazil-born Cacau seemed to have the edge.
"Maybe I will change one or two positions, that is possible. There are several variations but the final decision will be taken this evening with the coaching staff," Loew said.
"But in attack I am leaning towards Cacau."
Loew did not rule out starting with two forwards after playing its first two games with a lone striker in Klose, to add more offensive punch to his team. "I do not want to answer that (question) but we could indeed play a 4-4-2," he said, when asked whether he was considering fielding a second striker from the start.
Ghana could become the first African nation to advance to the next stage, something Loew said gave its rivals extra motivation. "We know that Ghana are Africa's last real hope in this tournament and the other teams do not have such a good position as Ghana."
"They are a highly motivated team and can handle pressure like the one tomorrow well. They have shown that. Many of their players are playing in Europe so they are used to this pressure."
He did however have no doubt his team would avoid going out at the first hurdle.
"We all know we have the quality and potential to win this match. I know it will be enormously difficult.
"This game will drain us not only mentally but also physically," he said.
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