Germany and Costa Rica play it without a net
Both are only worth winning to be able to be in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, although the Germans also need the help of Spain
MADRID, 30 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The teams of Germany and Costa Rica will speed up this Thursday (8:00 p.m.) their options to be in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar, which happens for both of them having to win this duel, which would give the safe ticket to the ‘ticos’, but not the ‘Mannschaft’, which depends on Spain.
The four-time world champion is once again on the brink of the abyss in the World Cup four years after having lost in the group stage of Russia 2018 and when she was defending the title. A goal in the final minutes by Niclas Füllkrug allowed him to save a draw against the Spanish team last Sunday, but it does not prevent him from facing the last day of Group E as last classified with one point.
The unexpected defeat of the premiere against Japan continues to be a slab for Hansi Flick’s men, who know that they have no more room for error and that the mathematics are clear for them because only their first victory is worth it and also that the ‘Red’ defeat the Asian combo. If the Spanish and Japanese tie, the general ‘goal-average’ will decide.
On the other hand, Costa Rica arrives in a better position, but with the difficult task of stopping one of the powers of world football against which a tie could be worth it if Luis Enrique’s men prevail over the ‘Blue Samurais’. If there are tables in the two clashes, it would not be worth it because the 7-0 debut hinders them in any equality on points with the Japanese.
For this reason, it is expected that Luis Fernando Suárez’s team, with less ‘pressure’ than his rival, decides to go out with his weapons to a Germany that has left good moments of football in both games and a lot of power, especially in the offensive front where he has a lot of talent and will force the Costa Rican team to a perfect night.
Costa Rica showed integrity when it came to recovering from the setback against Spain and showing a better image against Japan, which they knew how to counteract solidly, but before which they showed that they do not have too many arguments up front, that they can be strengthened in a match that will presupposes more open by the need of both.
Flick had the good news against Spain of the return of Leroy Sané, which should be the great novelty in an eleven, from which, in theory, one of the three midfielders he put against Luis Enrique’s men would disappear, probably Leon Goretzka. In addition, between Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller, Kai Havertz and Niclas Füllkrug, two places up should be played to accompany the aforementioned Sané and the talented Jamal Musiala, while Lukas Klostermann and Thilo Kehrer fight to be the right back.
For his part, the Colombian Tico will not be able to repeat the eleven of the victory against Japan since one of his three central defenders, Francisco Calvo, saw his second yellow card of the tournament and will have to serve a one-match ban. Juan Pablo Vargas is emerging as his replacement.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
COSTA RICA: Keylor Navas; Fuller, Duarte, Waston, Vargas, Oviedo; Borges, Tejeda; Torres, Contreras and Campbell.
ALEMANIA: New; Klostermann, Süle, Rüdiger, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Sané, Musiala, Gnabry; y full pitcher.
–REFEREE: Stephanie Frappart (FRA).
–ESTADIO: Al Bayt.
–TIME: 8:00 p.m./World Goal-Movistar+.