France Vs Germany: 5 Things You Should Know Before The Game
France and Germany tonight. Here's what you need to know.
By Darian Goh — 04 Jul 2014, 07:02 PM — Updated about 10 years ago
1. Seven Germany players are currently down with some sort of illness
Germany’s coach Joachim Löw has confirmed seven of his players are showing symptoms of illness in the buildup to Friday’s quarter-final against France
theguardian.com
“Seven players are slightly ill with flu symptoms,” said Löw. “It is not that bad at the moment and it could be partly about air conditioning, the travel, temperature differences. I do not want to make a drama of it. We hope the situation will ease.”
theguardian.com
2. French defender Raphael Varane is a doubt for tonight's game, as he is recovering from dehydration from the previous match
France jave a doubt over defender Raphael Varane, who spent the night in hospital with dehydration following Monday's 2-0 win over Nigeria.
telegraph.co.uk3. Germany will be without the services of defender Shkodran Mustafi who tore his hamstring in the game against Algeria
Germany are without Shkodran Mustafi, who tore his hamstring against Algeria in the last-16 tie.
telegraph.co.ukThere were suggestions that Philipp Lahm could be swiitched to full-back to cover for Mustafi, as he did after the defender went off against Algeria, but that appears unlucky.
telegraph.co.uk4. France has won 11 games against Germany's 8 with the rest being frawn in 25 different encounters
In 25 previous clashes, France have won 11 to Germany's eight successes, with six drawn. In terms of goals scored, Germany have the edge, with 42 to France's 41.
telegraph.co.uk5. Nestor Pitana, the referee for the game is a former actor
Néstor Fabián Pitana is an Argentine football referee and former actor, who refereed at 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.