On Monday, the Germany vs Portugal match will take place at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Bahia, at 9:00 AM (Pacific) in the opening match of World Cup’s Group G.
After hammering Ireland 5-1 at New Jersey last week, the Portuguese team will now face a much complicated test against the all-powerful Germany.
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo, who lost several matches due to a tricky knee injury, seems to have inspired his teammates against the Irish, as Portugal looked a far more dangerous team, especially on the attacking movements, when compared to their previous clash against Mexico.
Real Madrid’s versatile winger is the core of the Portuguese team and even when he is not 100 per cent fit, his presence seems to offer the team an energy boost.
For the match against the Germans, the Iberian side head coach, Paulo Bento, will certainly keep pushing his usual 4-3-3 scheme, although he experimented with an approach very similar to the 4-4-2 during some of the team’s recent preparation matches.
Ronaldo and Nani would certainly occupy their place at the attacking wings and the powerful Portuguese centre forward Hugo Almeida should complete the frontline trio. The return of the hard working Raul Meireles to the midfield line should also be another positive aspect in Paulo Bento’s team, since he lost the team’s last matches due to injury.
On the other hand, the Portuguese manager is not yet certain if he will be able to count on the contribution of Fábio Coentrão, who suffered an injury during one of the team’s recent training sessions.
As for Germany, the match against Portugal might somehow be the most complicated match they will have during the group stage.
The Germans will take on Portugal after having completely smashed Armenia last week by 6-1 and although the match could have had a fairly different outcome (since Miktarian offered the equalizer to the Caucasian side on the 69’ minute of the match), it is also fair to say that Germany scored five goals in just twenty minutes, which is also remarkable.
Die Mannschaft’s performances during this preparation period before the World Cup were fairly inconsistent. After two consecutive draws against Poland and Cameroon, where they failed to impose their game, the Germans have also struggled to overcome Armenia for at least seventy minutes, something that is not very usual on Joachim Löw’s team.
For the match against Portugal, Joachim Löw will certainly remain faithful to his hybrid 4-2-3-1 style, with Schweinsteiger and maybe Khedira holding the midfield line and with Özil, Kroos, and Götze lurking behind the team’s lone ranger Miroslav Klose.
Possible Line-ups
Germany (4-2-3-1) – Neuer – Lahm – Mertesacker – Boateng – Schmelzer – Khedira – Schweinsteiger – Kroos – Özil – Götze – Klose
Portugal (4-3-3) – Rui Patrício – João Pereira – Neto – Bruno Alves – F. Coentrão – Moutinho – R. Meireles – Miguel Veloso – Nani – Ronaldo – Hugo Almeida.
Germany vs Portugal Prediction
Germany are favourites to win the match, but and judging by their recent performances, they will have to redouble their efforts if they happen, by any chance, to came across with an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo, who had already proven that he is capable of carrying his entire team on his back.
Germany 2 – 1 Portugal
Germany vs Portugal Television
The Germany vs Portugal match will be televised in the USA on ESPN3 (stream) and Univision Deportes at 9:00 AM Pacific on Monday.
