Germany v Spain preview - Germany aim to stop Andres Iniesta and Xavi
Joachim Loew(credit:
Florian K)
Germany coach Joachim Loew believes that neutralising Andres Iniesta and Xavi will be the key to his side’s hopes of upsetting Spain in their World Cup semi-final clash in Durban.
Get a free bet on Germany v Spain from Blue Square - use the code MAXIMUMBONUS when you register!
The Barcelona pair played major roles when Vicente del Bosque’s team were crowned European champions two years ago and have again figured heavily in South Africa.
Loew, whose own midfielders did an admirable job in their quarter-final win over Argentina, in which Lionel Messi was largely anonymous, said: “They’ve played together for a long time at Barcelona, that’s what makes the difference.
“But if we get on top of them and put them under pressure as we did with Messi, that will be the key to the match.”
However, Loew also looks set to maintain the attacking style of play which saw his team put four goals past both Argentina and England.
“I’ve seen a lot of football,” he continued. “In England the tempo is incredible and something to be emulated. In Spain, there is the free-flowing style, technique and skill and you can see that’s something that is second nature to them, even to their youth teams.
“Italy won the World Cup in 2006 with perfect defensive play but the game has moved on in the last four years.
“The teams in the final four have solid defences but you have to have more than that, a more versatile style of play.”
The Germans will definitely be without one of their stars of the tournament, Thomas Muller, after his two yellow cards earned him an automatic one-match suspension.
However, Loew’s side are 10/11 with Blue Square to qualify for the final and 7/4 to beat Spain in normal time, while those expecting an open game can get 11/10 there will be at least three goals scored in 90 minutes.