RIO DE JANEIRO (SportingAlert) — Veteran forward Miroslav Klose has been drafted into the starting lineup for Germany in today’s World Cup quarter-final clash with France at the Estadio Maracana here in Rio de Janeiro.
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Klose, a goal away from becoming the all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup, makes his first start at the tournament as head coach Joachim Low decided to start with a recognized striker for this clash.
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira both start this game in holding roles in the middle with Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil expected to play a little more freely in support of Klose in the attack.
Captain Philipp Lahm has been moved back into the back line, with Mats Hummels recovering to start in defense as well.
André Schürrle, who scored in the last game, the round of 16 victory, over Algeria, and Mario Götze are both amongst the substitutes.
As expected, France have dropped Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud in favor ofAntoine Griezmann with Karim Benzema to play a more central role in the three man attack.
Mamadou Sakho is back in the defense with Laurent Koscielny making way.
Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi make up a very strong central midfield trio for France.
France v Germany
France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra, Valbuena, Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi, Griezmann, Benzema. Subs: Ruffier, Landreau, Cabella, Giroud, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Remy, Koscielny, Schneiderlin
Germany: Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Howedes, Ozil, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Muller, Klose. Subs: Zieler, Weidenfeller, Grosskreutz, Ginter, Schurrle, Podolski, Draxler, Durm, Mertesacker, Gotze, Kramer
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
