Germany vs Argentina preview, predictions & possible XIs
Two historic names meet in Dortmund on Wednesday evening as Germany and Argentina lock horns for the 23rd time.
On the count of previously contesting no fewer than three World Cup final matches, theirs is a rivalry that transcends continents.
https://audioboom.com/posts/7383312-alisson-is-the-golden-middle-of-the-goalkeeper-venn-diagram
Both teams, though, are currently undergoing transitional stages. Germany under their long-serving manager Joachim Löw have been out with the old and in with the new whilst Argentina, who are being presided over by their fourth manager since the 2014 World Cup final, are preparing for a post-Lionel Messi future.
Read on for our predictions, key players, TV info and team news ahead of Germany v Argentina.
When is Germany vs Argentina and where can I watch live?
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Westfalenstadion
Date: Wednesday, 9 October 2019
Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Football
Last five meetings: Germany vs Argentina
03 September 2014: Germany 2-4 Argentina (International Friendly)
13 July 2014: Germany 1-0 Argentina (World Cup)
15 August 2012: Germany 1-3 Argentina (International Friendly)
03 July 2010: Argentina 0-4 Germany (World Cup)
03 March 2010: Germany 0-1 Argentina (International Friendly)
Aggregate Score: Germany (LWLWL) 8-8 Argentina (WLWLW)
Ones to watch
Germany: Serge Gnabry
Serge Gnabry is on fire for both club and country. The 24-year-old forward has bagged five goals across nine appearances in all competitions for Bayern Munich this season (four of those strikes famously coming against Spurs) whilst he’s netted the same amount for Germany in his first senior 10 international matches.
Gnabry has scored in each of his last three starts for the four-time world champions, so expect him to be a thorn in Argentina’s side.
Key stat: Serge Gnabry recently became the 12th player to score four goals in a single Champions League game.
Argentina: Lautaro Martínez
Another forward in a rich vein of form is Lautaro Martínez, who is expected to lead Argentina’s line having done ever so well in recent outings. The 22-year-old striker has started in six of the Albiceleste’s last seven international matches, the only game he missed was due to suspension, and he registered five goals in that period including a first-half hat-trick against Mexico last time out.
Key stat: Lautaro Martínez’s goal for Inter Milan against Barcelona was the fastest they’ve conceded in the Champions League since September 2011.
Team news
Germany
Toni Kroos misses out after suffering an injury in Real Madrid’s win against Granada at the weekend. Ilkay Gundogan is expected to deputise in central midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich. Marc-André ter Stegen, despite recent comments, is expected to start in goal.
Predicted XI: Ter Stegen; Klostermann, Süle, Tah, Halstenberg; Gündoğan, Kimmich; Gnabry, Reus, Brandt; Werner.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
Argentina
Messi was not named in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the game against Germany due to a suspension for comments made in the wake of this summer’s Copa America exit. Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria have not been included but there are familiar names called up including Erik Lamela, Roberto Pereyra and Paulo Dybala.
However of the trio, only Pereyra is likely to start. Manchester-based Nicolás Otamendi and Marcos Rojo should form Argentina’s central defence.
Predicted XI: Marchesín; Foyth, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Paredes; Pereyra, Domínguez, De Paul, Acuña; Martínez.
Squawka prediction
In recent friendly meetings it’s Argentina who have prevailed. However, given the relative gap in quality between the sides, we are hard-pressed to back the South American giants. Germany will want to put on a show, especially as this is their first game on home soil since losing to arch-rivals Netherlands.
Scoreline prediction: Germany 3-1 Argentina
