Germany coach Joachim Loew has been forced to make changes to his
team for Thursday’s semi-final against hosts France at Euro 2016 because
of injuries and a suspension, including replacing key goal scorer Mario
Gomez.
Gomez, whose two goals helped the
world champions to the last four, has been forced out of the rest of the
tournament with a pulled hamstring. Holding midfielder Sami Khedira
will also miss the clash because of a groin injury.
Central
defender Mats Hummels completes the trio of absentees, sitting out the
game due to suspension following a second booking in the Germans’
quarter-final victory over Italy on penalties.
Chasing
a fourth European title, Germany could also be without Bastian
Schweinsteiger. Loew has ruled out using his captain unless he has
recovered fully from a knee ligament injury.
The
German boss has to decide what to do with his forward line and whether
to use Mario Goetze, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Mueller or Leroy Sane.
Goetze and Mueller have both been struggling with their form.
In defence Loew is unlikely to deploy a three-man central defense as he did against Italy.
“Against
France I still have to think about it. Italy are a team with automated
plays. They are world class in playing them but they are predictable,”
Loew told reporters.
“France are different. They constantly change positions, they are much more unexpected and difficult to predict.”
Loew is likely to use Emre Can as Khedira’s replacement with Benedikt Hoewedes slipping into the central defense for Hummels.
The
French are feeling confident following their 5-2 demolition of Iceland
and the euphoria in the country is growing. But, in order to reach a
home final in Paris on July 10, Didier Deschamp’s team must plug their
porous defense.
Leading 4-0 at halftime
against Iceland, France dropped their guard, conceding two goals. Centre
back Samuel Umtiti, playing his first international, was not totally
commanding and Adil Rami, who was suspended, could return for the German
game.
Rami, however, has shown signs of
nerves on several occasions, as has left back Patrice Evra, leaving
France’s defense looking vulnerable, notably from set pieces.
“We’re
looking better but Germany remains Germany,” said Deschamps, whose side
lost to the eventual winners in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals as
well as suffering painful semi-final defeats to the Germans at the 1982
and 1986 World Cups.
“They are the best
team in Europe and in the world and the only ones totally controlling
the situation, with technical quality everywhere, from the goalkeeper to
the forwards,” said the coach.
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