Aug 4, 2011 2:45:00 PM


Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil & Sami Khedira left out as Ilkay Gundogan included in Germany squad to face Brazil
The 20-year-old receives his first call-up to the national side while Ballack, Ozil and Khedira miss out on the friendly in Stuttgart against the South Americans

Germany coach Joachim Low has announced his squad for the upcoming friendly against Brazil on August 10 at the Mercedes Benz Arena.

Real Madrid duo Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira have been omitted as they continue pre-season preparations ahead of the two-legged Spanish Supercopa against Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has received his first call-up to the national team and Low has given his reasons behind the choice.

''He [Gundogan] has made good progress and has shown to date that he performs well in games," the tactician told the DFB's (German FA) official website.

"He is a technically gifted talent with great intelligence. Therefore it is a good opportunity for him personally at the beginning of the European Championship season to be welcomed into the team."

Gundogan also spoke of his delight at the call-up, saying: "I am really happy that the coach has confidence in me and I'd like to give my country and the team everything when I play.

"This is a dream for me. It has been clear for a long time that I wanted to play for the German national team."

However, another who will not be participating in the friendly against Brazil will be Michael Ballack. It comes as no surprise that he has been omitted from the squad after tensions with Low reached a boiling point but many hoped he would feature in the game for the fans.

When the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder was told that this could be his farewell game, he lashed out at the idea and labelled the proposal a farce.

Meanwhile, Julian Draxler and Moritz Leitner have been called up to the Germany Under-21 squad. The 17-year-old Draxler's rapid rise with Schalke has seen him earn promotion from the U-18 side while Leitner has been featuring prominently for Borussia Dortmund in pre-season.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Dortmund), Christian Trasch (Wolfsburg)

Midfielders: Sven Bender (Dortmund), Mario Gotze (Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Dortmund), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Monchengladbach), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Koln), Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen).


1

Start Marcelo, drop Julio Cesar & five things Brazil must do to recover from Copa humiliation
As Brazil prepare to take on Germany in their first match since a disastrous exit in Argentina, Goal.com analyses what needs to change to make them World Cup contenders in 2014

As Brazil prepare to take on Germany in their first match since a disastrous exit in Argentina, Goal.com analyses what needs to change to make them World Cup contenders in 2014

Aug 9, 2011 12:00:00 PM



Mano Menezes' team now find themselves in the peculiar position of having precious little to play for over the next three years. Excused from World Cup qualifying duty by the virtue of hosting in 2014, this means that there will be very few opportunities to tinker, hone and perfect a competent starting XI in competitive football - this makes friendlies such as this Wednesday's vs. Germany all the more important.

The Copa America demonstrated that Brazil are far from the level required to experience glory on home soil; Goal.com suggests how the Copa losers can be turned into World Cup winners, starting with tomorrow's clash against Joachim Low's charges,

1. Support Ganso

Watching the young Santos man toil in Argentina was not easy for Brazil fans, but his failure to shine was as much an indictment of the Selecao's tactics as any personal weakness. Ganso is an orthodox No. 10, languid, lazy but with the ability to change a game in an instant, and if Brazil want to use this brilliant talent they must learn to give him the support he requires.

Too often the ball bypassed the 21-year-old high and wide, whereas he would thrive if teamed with a similarly creative midfielder such as Elano or Kaka. And of course, the prospect of a playmaking duo with the in-form Ronaldinho should be enough to make any football fan salivate.

2. Welcome Marcelo back from the cold

This is a fairly moot point this time round, as the Real Madrid full back has once more been overlooked for international duty in favour of Andre Santos. Mano Menezes' apparent distaste for Marcelo is puzzling, given that there are currently very few wide men who can claim to be in better form at a higher level.

Santos was desperately average in the Copa America, rarely succeeding in making an impact down the left even when Maicon was giving a stellar example on the other flank. It appears the Fenerbahce man lacks the penetration and explosive talent to follow the great Brazilian lateral tradition; and with 2014 in mind Marcelo deserves his chance to shine.

3. Consider a successor to Julio Cesar

The 31-year-old has been a great servant for both Brazil and Inter for the past decade, but in recent years there have been signs that the No. 1 has seen his crown slip a touch. Some sloppy goalkeeping against Ecuador could have proved disastrous in the Copa America as he let in Felipe Caicedo efforts twice in quick succession, while the theoretically rock-solid back three he formed with Thiago Silva and Lucio failed to provide the stability expected. It is early to write Cesar off, but Santos keeper Rafael is just one of a young generation of shot-stoppers waiting eagerly for their chance to shine and stake their claim for a place in 2014.

4. Decide if Neymar and Pato can play together

One of the biggest dilemmas keeping Menezes awake at night. He is blessed with two of the most talented young forwards in the world; but all indications suggest that the Milan striker and the Santos starlet do not make an effective pairing in the final third.

Aside from excellent performances against Ecuador, where both men bagged a brace, the Copa America was highly disappointing for the two forwards who are supposedly entrusted with scoring the goals to bring the World Cup home. The coach will stay faithful for now, and rightly so, but something will have to change if a partnership still refuses to develop.

5. More danger in the middle

Ever since Kleberson and Gilberto Silva ruled the roost in 2002, the defensive midfield duo has been sacrosanct in Brazilian football and especially the national team. Lucas Leiva and Ramires were given the task of continuing the trend in Argentina, but a desperate lack of attacking thrust made it clear that more creativity was desperately needed in the middle of the pitch.

Playing the duo meant an alarmingly pedestrian approach to goal from the Brazilians, who relied on either bursts out wide or moments of magic from players such as Neymar and Ganso to break through; and with these men off-song it is no wonder that only six goals in four games were scored, an average of just 1.25 per match. The creativity is there, but the first step must be to take out the uninspiring Ramires and give the dangermen the chance to make a difference around the centre circle.

AC Milan's Thiago Silva, Robinho & Alexandre Pato included in Brazil squad for Germany friendly
The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) has confirmed the squad that will travel to Germany next month for their international clash

The CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) has confirmed the squad that will travel to Germany next month for their international clash


Menezes' men take on the Germans in Stuttgart on August 10 and the squad includes Real Madrid target Neymar.

Here is the complete list of players picked for the trip to Europe as confirmed by the CBF official website.

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Lucio (Inter), Thiago Silva (Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dede (Vasco)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Ralf (Corinthians), Luis Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (Milan), Robinho (Milan), Fred (Fluminense), Jonas (Valencia)


Jul 25, 2011 3:13:00 PM

[center][size=25pt]International friendly preview: Germany - Brazil[/size][/center]

The 2002 World Cup finalists meet again in a prestige clash in Stuttgart as the visitors look to bounce back from a disastrous Copa America display


PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Germany (4-2-3-1)

Neuer; Trasch, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Muller, Gotze, Podolski; Klose


Following his fine performance for Dortmund on Friday, Mario Gotze is expected to start in the playmaker role, deputising for the omitted Mesut Ozil. Sami Khedira also has been excluded from Joachim Low's squad, meaning that Toni Kroos will most likely start in central midfield. The back four is still yet to be decided, but Philipp Lahm is expected to be picked on the left, meaning that Christian Trasch will play in the right-back position.

Brazil (4-2-3-1)

Cesar; Maicon, T. Silva, Lucio, A. Santos; Ramires, Elias; Robinho, Ganso, Neymar; Pato

Mano Menezes is yet to hold a training session ahead of the game, and whether he will make changes to his Copa America team is in question. David Luiz and Lucas Leiva have been omitted from the coach's squad; Elias is expected to deputise for the central midfielder, while regular starters Lucio and Thiago Silva will feature in central defence.

DID YOU KNOW?

Germany have won all seven of their Euro 2012 qualifiers, and eight of their 12 matches since the 2010 World Cup.

Stuttgart striker Cacau has the opportunity to face the national team of his homeland for the first time on Wednesday.

The DFB youngsters beat Brazil 4-3 in the U17 World Cup third place match earlier this summer.

Brazil have won their last two matches against Germany: 3-2 in the 2005 Confederations Cup, and 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup final.

After contemplating a career with Germany, Bayern Munich's Luiz Gustavo has a chance to earn his first cap for Brazil on Wednesday.

Selecao have won six out of their 12 matches since Mano Menezes took over as coach in the summer of 2010.

Last Five Matches


Jun 7, 2011 Azerbaijan 1 - Germany 3 EQ
Jun 3, 2011 Austria 1 - Germany 2 EQ
May 29, 2011 Germany 2 - Uruguay 1 Inte
Mar 29, 2011 Germany 1 - Australia 2 Inte
Mar 26, 2011 Germany 4 - Kazakhstan 0 EQ




Jul 17, 2011 Brazil 0 - Paraguay 0 Copa
Jul 14, 2011 Brazil 4 - Ecuador 2 Copa
Jul 9, 2011 Brazil 2 - Paraguay 2 Copa
Jul 3, 2011 Brazil 0 - Venezuela 0 Copa
Jun 8, 2011 Brazil 1 - Romania 0 Inte

[center]Players to Watch[/center]




Neymar
Neymar
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 11
Games Goals YC RC
3 2 1 0
Brazil's 19-year old jewel has already established himself in Menezes' squad, and shown flourishes of brilliance for country. After a disappointing Copa, and opposite another highly-rated attacker, he will have heavy expectations on his shoulders.

[center]Prediction[/center]
Brazil struggled at the Copa America and quite clearly are in the midst of an identity crisis, but Germany are without a number of stars, and recently have had trouble in their more high-profile friendlies. The DFB squad usually score first and concede late; a draw in Stuttgart appears the most likely end result.


[center]Editor's Prediction[/center]
[size=30pt][center] Germany 1 Brazil 1[/center][/size]

[size=25pt]Germany coach Joachim Low: Mario Gotze has a good chance of starting against Brazil


Young midfielder looks set for a starting role against the South American giants as tactician makes choices over his team's formation[/size]

The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder is likely to take the place of Sami Khedira, who is not part of the squad for Wednesday's game as he is training with Real Madrid for the Supercopa tie against Barcelona.

Low has a rough idea of how his team will line up against the 2002 world champions, but said some decisions still needed to be taken.

"I have seven positions decided, but I am still thinking of the other four," he told the press. "I will be making changes, and Gotze has a good chance of starting.

"He [Gotze] is a player who brings a lot to the game, who finds solutions on the pitch.

"He has an ingenuity with the ball and also without it and he can play passes without looking down and he has good vision for the players around him, so he's quite developed already."

Kick off is at 20:45 CET at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Stuttgart.

Nine years ago, Ronaldo, Rivaldo & Ronaldinho’s Brazil were tearing Germany apart in the World Cup final - here’s how things have changed


Goal.com reflects upon the recent history of the South American and European giants following the showcase at the Yokohama Stadium

In the summer of 2002, Germany exceeded all expectations as they advanced to the World Cup final. But there was only one team worthy of winning that tournament, and surely enough Brazil took the spoils following a 2-0 win in Yokohama.

Led by Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho, the 2002 squad was the last Brazilian team to play "Joga Bonito" effectively. Four years later, Carlos Alberto Parreira’s side attempted to emulate the irresistible style of the previous team, but faltered in the quarter-finals. Rivaldo was gone, Cafu and Roberto Carlos were ageing, Ronaldinho failed to find his form, and Ronaldo was over-weight. The Selecao had little trouble in the group stage, but when faced with their first serious opposition, France, their weaknesses were exposed.


Following the disappointment of 2006, Dunga was appointed to instill a sense of discipline into the South American giants. Brazil were initially successful, winning the Copa America in 2007 and looking very strong in friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. Their system was one that emphasised substance over style. But on the big stage in summer 2010, they again faltered, this time at the hands of the Netherlands.


THE THREE R's | Brazil's famous trio

Rivaldo


Ronaldinho


Ronaldo

In their first big test of the tournament, the South Americans lacked all the attributes that had seen them reclaim their place among the world elite. Miscommunication at the back led to a rather fortuitous equaliser for the Dutch, and Felipe Melo’s senseless sending off proved that all Dunga had done for Brazil was in vain. The take-home message was clear: if Brazil are to succeed, it is to be done not by rebelling against their footballing culture, but by emphasising the traits that had made them great in years past. Dunga was sacked, and Mano Menezes called in as his replacement.

Many changes have been made under Menezes. Mainstays of Dunga’s side - Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Gilberto Silva, Juan, and Michel Bastos - have been replaced. The new-look team is entirely different from that of a year ago, and emphasises the classic Brazilian flair. But, as was clearly evident at the Copa America, the Samba Stars still lack a working identity. They won just one of their four matches at the Copa, and went out on penalties after failing to convert any of their four spotkicks.

With his current team, Menezes has swung the pendulum from one vice to another, missing the balance that characterised the 2002 World Cup winners. Brazil played joga bonito nine years ago, but were properly selected based on tactics: Ronaldo and Rivaldo complemented one another in the centre of attack, and in Gilberto Silva, there was a solid core in defensive midfield. Defender Lucio played out of the back at times, and full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos balanced their play at both ends.

NEW GUARD | Menezes' additions were inconsistent at the Copa

Pato


Ganso


Neymar

By contrast, the recent Copa team was too much a hodge-podge of talented but inexperienced individuals who had limited leadership and even less chemistry. Menezes used incompatible forwards in the form of Pato, Robinho and Neymar, and the holding midfield duo of Lucas Leiva and Ramires had too many similarities and offered too little creativity from deep areas. Now, Brazil are back to where they were in 2006, deep in an identity crisis.

The face of Germany past,

Nine years ago, Germany were in the midst of a similar problem: straddled by utter failure at the 2000 and 2004 European Championships, their 2002 World Cup performance was something of an anomaly. In the early 2000’s, the DFB team had too many ageing stars and too few young talents to be serious international contenders: they could get the job done against lesser teams, but their game plan placed too much emphasis on self-belief and too little on quality of play. Titles were long shots. This would change in the years to come.

As part of an initiative to stimulate its youth base, the German Football League (DFL) mandated that all 1. and 2. Bundesliga teams have youth programs, with specific guidelines. Between clubs and country, more than half a billion Euros have been invested in developing young German players over the last decade. What’s more, all of the DFB’s youth teams play in the same 4-2-3-1 formation with similar tactics, emphasising a balance between quick, one-touch passing and athleticism.

, and present






Their youth initiative has given Germany a crop of prospects that has not only skill, but understanding of a system that allows for quick and universal adaptation of every player to the national team.

The one component Germany have lacked in recent years is success. Their Euro 2008 team was not on par with their current squad, but the DFB were tagged as the bookies’ favourites ahead of the tournament. However, after struggling en route to the final, Joachim Low’s men lost to Spain. And in both 2006 and 2010, Germany finished the World Cup in third place. Their recent results have been impressive, but history remembers winners, and Low’s team still have a long way to go in order to achieve a level of consistent dominance.

Old rivals meet again on Wednesday, each with a new face to show. Brazil have reverted back to their roots, but Menezes has more than a few creases to iron out and will surely experiment. Germany have a more firm plan, but Low has taken the opportunity to bring in outsiders. Friendlies are often not very competitive, but in this case, both sides have plenty to prove. And with Brazil and Germany mutually intent on playing an attractive game, Wednesday's match is guaranteed to be quite a spectacle.

[center]Germany
Germany
3 vs 2
Brazil
Brazil
Played
August 10, 2011 7:45 PM BST
Mercedes-Benz-Arena — Stuttgart
Referee:‬ V. Kassai‎
[/center]


Germany 3-2 Brazil: Mario Gotze shines as hosts take the spoils
Dortmund playmaker deputised superbly for Mesut Ozil while Neymar scored a late goal for the visitors, but his strike was not enough to spare the Samba Stars a defeat

Germany ended an 18-year winless streak against Brazil as they earned a 3-2 victory over the South American giants in Stuttgart.

The hosts controlled the majority of possession over the course of the match, but it took an hour for them to open the scoring. Toni Kroos won a penalty from Lucio and Bastian Schweinsteiger made no mistake as he converted from the spot. Mario Gotze, who made his first start for country, added a second on 67 minutes as he latched onto Kroos' through ball before rounding Julio Cesar and slotting home.

Despite their disadvantage, the South Americans would not go down without a fight. Just four minutes after the second goal, Philipp Lahm conceded a penalty to Dani Alves, and Robinho tucked his spot kick inside the left post.

The hosts would not be denied their win, however, and restored their lead in the 80th minute through Andre Schurrle. Schweinsteiger muscled Andre Santos off the ball near the edge of the penalty area, and cut back for the unmarked Leverkusen man, who fired an unstoppable finish into the net.

The visitors attempted to mount a comeback in the closing minutes, but were only able to break through deep into injury time. Neymar cut inside from the left and unleashed an impressive low drive into the corner, but it was too late for Brazil to complete their fightback.

Germany dominated the possession from the start and it only took six minutes for the hosts to carve out their first chance. Gotze skilfully took a cross off his chest, made space from Andre Santos and fired on goal, but Julio Cesar made a superb save.

For all their possession, the DFB team had trouble creating opportunities against a Brazil side that was well organised in defence. Kroos was the most dangerous man for the hosts, having one long-ranged attempt saved, and a pair of blasts narrowly miss the target.

Brazil relied primarily on counterattacking football and had several occasions in which they were able to burst through the midfield. However, they were largely unable to beat the German backline. Only on the stroke of half-time did Neymar create space to shoot as he ran into the right side of the box. The Santos man fired wide of the far post, however.

Brazil were a better team in the second half and nearly opened the scoring through Pato early on, but the Milan forward chipped wide of the post when through on goal. The visitors often found themselves in the attacking third and won a number of corners, but were caught out after leaving open space at the back. When given the chance, the Germans attacked this space ruthlessly and their fire-power proved superior on the night.

The result will be an encouraging one for a Germany side that have struggled in recent friendly matches. Following their dismal run at the Copa America, Brazil will have to continue to refine their game under Mano Menezes.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbEvvyuVOVk?fs=1&hl=en[/flash]