Germany, Argentina ‘replay’ World Cup final

September 03

20:23 2014

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Germany and Argentina will rekindle Brazil 2014 World Cup final rivalry Wednesday night at Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf in an international friendly.

Germany were crowned champions in Brazil thanks to a Mario Gotze decisive goal in extra time and a similar ‘dish’ is expected when the two nations meet again, this time in Germany.

For the Germans, this game offers an opportunity to prepare for the first qualifier for Euro 2016 against Scotland next week.

Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker have all called time on their international careers but Joachim Low remains the coach and he will be able to call upon Marco Reus who missed the World Cup finals due to injury.

Low will also use this game to assess which players can fill the voids left by the retired players although he insists there is “not going to be a major revolution”.

“As a coach, you’ve just got to accept and respect their retirements,” Low said.

“Obviously I would have liked to have carried on with them, but this is now a chance for younger players to come through and there are talented players out there who now have more chance to develop in preparation for the next step.”

Lionel Messi will be missing for Argentina due to a groin injury while new Argentina coach, former Barcelona’s manager, Gerardo Martino only got to see his first squad on Tuesday after coaching a charity game in Rome on Monday night.

Rodrigo Palacio, Ezequiel Garay and Maximiliano Rodriguez are also absent for a weakened Argentina side.

Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named as Germany’s new captain, assuming the role vacated by Lahm.

Low announced the Bayern Munich midfielder as his captain “for the next two years” at a press conference in Dusseldorf on Tuesday, although the 30-year-old will not feature in Wednesday’s game due to injury.

“I know I can always rely on him,” Low said.

“Just look at the World Cup final and how important he was. He has an immense level of experience and a high degree of acceptance within the team and from the coaches.

“He’s a great communicator and that’s important for the players. I know he’s injured now, but it’s not so bad that he’ll be out for months. I trust him unreservedly. He has the big aim of winning Euro 2016 and I felt that he is still very ambitious.”

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