{"id":155931,"date":"2018-06-16T04:55:28","date_gmt":"2018-06-16T08:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=155931"},"modified":"2018-06-16T04:55:28","modified_gmt":"2018-06-16T08:55:28","slug":"world-cup-preview-germany-v-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2018\/06\/16\/world-cup-preview-germany-v-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup Preview: Germany v Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mexico will be the first opponent in Germany\u2019s way to defend the World Cup<\/a> title. The two teams play the first game of Group F in the Luzhniki Stadium on June 17th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Germany vs Mexico<\/h1>\n

The current World Cup champions are, once again, title contender in this year\u2019s edition. After winning the Confederations Cup last year with an alternative squad, Germany showed that they\u2019re still hungry for more.<\/p>\n

Mexico struggled at first when Juan Carlos Os\u00f3rio took charge but started to improve as the years went by. They qualified in first place in the CONCACAF World Cup qualification with just one loss.<\/p>\n

L\u00f6w\u2019s Army<\/h3>\n

The work that has been done in German football is amazing. The German FA invested massively in the development of young players and this investment yield gorgeous fruits.<\/p>\n

Twelve out of the twenty-three players called up for the World Cup 2018 won the Confederations Cup last year. And that doesn\u2019t include the big names as Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer or Matts Hummels.<\/p>\n

Players like Leon Goretzka, Julian Draxler and Joshua Kimmich have made a name for themselves after the victorious campaign of 2017.<\/p>\n

L\u00f6w knows his players and they trust him in return. That\u2019s an essential combination in a national side.<\/p>\n

Despite not having the best results in recent games, Germany are set to take the World Cup by storm.<\/p>\n

Osorio\u2019s Revolution<\/h2>\n

For the first time in a long period, Mexico\u2019s best players are going to play together. Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela, Chicharito Hernandez and Hirving Lozano, as well as Rafa M\u00e1rquez, former Barcelona star, that\u2019s going to retire after the World Cup. The perfect mix of experience and youth.<\/p>\n

After being knocked out of the Copa America back in 2016 and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2017, Mexico started to improve massively, qualifying for the World Cup in first place, five points clear of Costa Rica, who came in second.<\/p>\n

The Match<\/h2>\n

While Low\u2019s players are going to try and control possession, forcing Mexico to break their lines and open spaces, Osorio\u2019s men need to stay focused. The key to breaking through Germany\u2019s defence is to explore the space behind the full-backs, as they advance on the pitch to help on the build-up.<\/p>\n

Testing Neuer might be a good strategy as the keeper has just recovered from a long-term injury.<\/p>\n

Game Details<\/h2>\n

The match kicks off at 16:00 pm GMT at the Luzhniki Stadium.<\/p>\n

Predicted Line-Ups<\/h2>\n

Germany<\/strong>: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector, Khedira, Kroos, M\u00fcller, \u00d6zil, Reus, and Werner.<\/p>\n

Mexico<\/strong>: Ochoa, Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Lay\u00fan, Herrera, J. Dos Santos, Guardado, Vela, Chicharito Hern\u00e1ndez, and Lozano.<\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong>\u00a0Germany 3-0 Mexico<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>