Austria vs Germany preview

Posted on | June 15, 2008 | No Comments

Hosts Austria will hope for a repeat of the Cordoba moment against European giants Germany at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna today, with a spot in the last eight of Euro 2008 at stake for both teams. In that 1978 WC game in Cordoba, Austria upset Germany 3-2, and stopped their neighbours from advancing to the next round. It still ranks as one of Austria’s greatest ever games, if not the greatest. Hans Krankl scored a brace then, and one of the Austrian strikers will have to do it in Vienna.

Austria have played well, but have been hurt dearly by the absence of a potent finisher upfront. They should have come out of their game against Croatia with atleast a point, and should have beaten Poland by three or four goals. That will be the main worry for coach Josef Hickersberger- not just creating opportunities but converting them. Hickersberger incidentally, was part of the Austrian team that beat West Germany in Cordoba. Centre back Sebastien Proedl is suspended for this game. Umit Korkmaz, Jurgen Saumel and Emanuel Pogatetz are all on one yellow each. Spartak defender Martin Stranzl will celebrate his 28th birthday today, and has played against several of the German first team when he was at Stuttgart.

Germany face a tricky fixture against Austria. The home side will be supported by well over 50,000 fans, and sometimes passion can make an average team look unbeatable. The Germans are no strangers to pressure, but they will be wary of repeating what the Czechs did against Turkey. A point will suffice for Joachim Loew’s side, who will face Portugal in the last eight. Bastian Schweinsteiger is suspended for this game after his foul on Jerko Leko. Mario Gomez, despite his role in Germany’s first goal against Poland, is not likely to start. He has been lacklustre upfront, and Loew might play Podolski and Klose upfront, leaving Hitzlsperger to come onto the left. Marcell Jansen, German villain against Croatia, is out with a shoulder injury. Philipp Lahm should shift flanks, allowing Fritz to come into right back. Alternatively Loew could chose Arne Freidrich. Inspirational skipper Michael Ballack and goal keeper Jens Lehmann are on one yellow.

Germany should do what is expected of them. They should win this clash by at least two goals, if the two sides play upto their potential. Germany to win 3-0, with Ballack, Podolski, Klose and Frings likely scorers.

Related posts:

1. Austria vs Germany preview- Euro 2012 qualifier
2. Austria vs Croatia preview
3. Austria vs Poland preview
4. Germany vs Croatia preview
5. Germany vs Portugal preview

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