On June 1st, Germany take on Cameroon in a friendly. Germany are one of the favorites to go on and hoist the World Cup trophy, even though European countries have struggled in World Cups in South America.
Germany have a squad full of talent and will need to use this friendly as well as the one on June 6th against Armenia to try out different formations and players.
News broke recently that Manuel Neuer’s shoulder was in a sling, although he returned to training alongside skipper Phillip Lahm. Midfielder Lars Bender has been ruled out of the World Cup in Brazil. Marcel Schmelzer, the Dortmund left back is also nursing a bruised right knee. Schweinsteiger has joined the full squad in training and looks like he will be ready to go in Brazil in two weeks time.
Sami Khedira, who played in the Champions League final, is also not fully fit and recovered and looks set to miss the friendly against Cameroon as well. Germany is trying to get all their players healthy and fit, so this game will give the likes of some other players to play and impress ahead of the trip to Brazil.
Germany will not have a full squad for this friendly but it will allow manager Joachim Loew to see other players start. I think Low has an idea on who he will start for their first World Cup match against Portugal.
For this match against Cameroon, it will be hard to predict who Loew will start. With Neuer missing, Weidenfeller will start in goal. The back line should consist of Hummels at center back alongside Per Mertesacker. Jerome Boateng can play anywhere alongside the back four and I expect him to play at left back so Kevin Grosskreutz can play at his familiar right back role.
In midfield, I expect Loew to play six instead of playing a striker for this game. Look for Kroos and Gotze to start maybe in a deeper role, although Loew could play the young Leon Goretzka there to see what he is made of. Look for Reus, Muller, Ozil to operate in the attacking third. That leaves a spot open for possibly Julian Draxler to fill and play as a false 9. Lukas Podolski and Andre Schurrle could also play in that role at some point in the match as well. Or Loew could change formations and start Miroslav Klose who is their only true striker.
Although Germany are dealing with injuries for this friendly, Germany are a deep side and have talent across the pitch. This match will not be about the result, but about trying out various formations and players.
