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Germany's first knockout test

Matt ZuvelaJune 29, 2014

Group G winners Germany face Algeria in their first match of the World Cup knockout stage. Head coach Joachim Löw is confident heading into the Round of 16, but warns that Algeria are a force to be reckoned with.

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WM 2014 Achtelfinale Abschlusstraining Deutschland
Image: Getty Images

According to Joachim Löw, there are no easy opponents in the Round of 16 at a World Cup. A reporter at Sunday's press conference in Porto Alegre a day ahead of Germany's encounter against Algeria suggested that Germany had a fairly straightforward matchup compared to other teams, but Löw was having none of it.

"Anyone who believes that he can underestimate an opponent in the Round of 16 is making a big mistake," Löw said. "Algeria deserves to be in the Round of 16 and is a difficult opponent."

He praised the compactness and ball-winning ability of the Algerian defense. But, Löw said, Germany can win the upper hand.

"I can feel that this team is hot," he said of the German side. "If we show our quality and strength, we'll win."

Despite Löw's modest praise for the team's North African opponent, Germany are clear favorites going into Monday's match. Critics, however, have pointed to the vulnerabilities the team displayed against Ghana in the group, or the missed goal opportunities against the US.

There is also the suggestion that Algeria may be looking for revenge after the "nonaggression pact of Gijon" in 1982, giving them a motivational advantage. While Algeria's counterattacking ability might be on Löw's mind, a vendetta from a game over 30 years ago is not.

"Players that weren't even born yet - why would they want revenge?" Löw asked.

Midfield musings

More important for Löw is the question of who will start in the German midfield.

Against Jürgen Klinsmann's US, Bastian Schweinsteiger started for the first time in the tournament. For the other two group games, Sami Khedira got the nod from Löw. With the threat of elimination looming over the lineup decision against Algeria, the question is: Schweinsteiger or Khedria?

"I haven't decided yet," Löw said. "I'll meet with the other coaches and make a gut decision."

Löw added that, because of the injury troubles both players had during the club season, it was good that they were sharing central midfield duties during the tournament.

The German coach said he would not make any fundamental changes to the system or the tactical idea of the team - meaning captain Philipp Lahm will likely stay put in midfield. "What we need are improvements in the finishing details," Löw said.

Germany will have to do without injured attacker Lukas Podolski. Defender Jerome Boateng picked up another knock against the US, but should still be available to play.

Lahm has taken to his new national team role as a midfielder, and Löw's tactic of starting four central defenders on the back line has paid dividends. But both Löw and Lahm cautioned against looking past Algeria to the next opponent. A potential quarterfinal berth would see Germany take on the winner of France and Nigeria in Monday's other game, but "one step at a time" is Löw's philosophy for now. Lahm put it in clearer terms at Sunday's press conference:

"Either you bring your game, or you're out," he said.