Germany v France
World Champions Germany and tournament hosts France will battle it out for a spot in the final when they meet on Thursday night in the penultimate match of Euro 2016. The match will take place at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, where France defeated Albania 2-0 earlier in the competition.
Germany advanced to the semi-finals after winning an epic 18-kick penalty shootout against Italy. The two sides could not be separated after extra time, having drawn the match 1-1 in 90 minutes. Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil gave Germany the lead after the hour mark, but Leonardo Bonnuci’s penalty levelled things up with 15 minutes of the 90 remaining.
After 17 spot kicks, which included 7 misses, left-back Jonas Hector converted the first penalty of his professional career to win the tie for Germany. The victory came at a cost, however. Sami Khedira picked up an injury in the first half and was replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who himself picked up an injury during the match. Mario Gomez also had to be substituted due to a thigh injury and will miss the rest of the tournament. Centre back Mats Hummels picked up his second booking of the tournament and will serve a one-match suspension.
Joachim Low has confirmed that Khedira’s adductor injury will rule him out of the semi-final, while Schweinsteiger is a doubt for the match. “I won’t play anyone who is not 100% but I hope he [Schweinsteiger] is fit and can play.”
Germany are expected to revert to a back-four, having played five defenders against Italy in the last round. Benedikt Howedes will deputise for the suspended Hummels, while either one of Emre Can or Julian Weigl will come in for Schweinsteiger if he fails to recover in time. Gotze is expected to return to the line-up and could start up top in Gomez’s absence.
France qualified for the semi-final in style, ending Iceland’s fairytale with a 5-2 win in Paris. Goals from Dimitri Payet, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and a brace from Olivier Giroud completed the route.
Adil Rami and N’Golo Kante were suspended for the match and are expected to return to the starting line-up in place of Samuel Umtiti and Moussa Sissoko respectively.
Referee Nicola Rizzoli will take charge of the match. The Italian oversaw France’s 2-1 win over Ireland in the round of 16, sending off the Republic’s Shane Duffy. The winners will face one of Wales or Portugal in the final on June 10.
Germany predicted line-up
France predicted line-up
CREDIT TO:http://www.101greatgoals.com/news/germany-v-france-euro-2016-semifinal-preview-line-ups-predictions/
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