Fifa World Cup final
Germany centre-back Mats Hummels missed the second half against Brazil as a precaution because of tendonitis, but is expected to be available.
The Germans could name the same side which thrashed the hosts 7-1.
Argentina's Angel Di Maria has returned to light training after a thigh injury, but is unlikely to be fit to start.
Striker Sergio Aguero is fully recovered from a similar problem and could replace either Ezequiel Lavezzi or Gonzalo Higuain.
Argentina fielded Higuain, Aguero and Lionel Messi as part of a front three earlier on in the tournament.
However, they may be reluctant to pick such an attacking line-up against the in-form Germans.
Left-back Marcos Rojo failed to complete a training session on Friday because of a sore ankle but the problem is not thought to be serious.
The Germans could name the same side which thrashed the hosts 7-1.
Argentina's Angel Di Maria has returned to light training after a thigh injury, but is unlikely to be fit to start.
Striker Sergio Aguero is fully recovered from a similar problem and could replace either Ezequiel Lavezzi or Gonzalo Higuain.
Argentina fielded Higuain, Aguero and Lionel Messi as part of a front three earlier on in the tournament.
However, they may be reluctant to pick such an attacking line-up against the in-form Germans.
Left-back Marcos Rojo failed to complete a training session on Friday because of a sore ankle but the problem is not thought to be serious.
MATCH PREVIEW
After 32 days of vintage World Cup action, the stage is set on Sunday for a dramatic final act.
Will it be Germany's all-star cast taking the curtain call at the Maracana? Can leading man Thomas Muller become the first player to win back-to-back Golden Boots? Or will Lionel Messi steal the show and inspire Argentina to a third World Cup triumph?
Muller is Germany's leading scorer with five goals at this tournament, but Joachim Low's men are anything but a one-man band.
Play media
Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Gary Lineker looks for more from Argentina's Messi
A further seven Germans have also scored, and the likes of Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Andre Schurrle could just as easily prove Maracana match-winners.
Argentina arrived in Brazil with, by common consent, the most potent forward line in world football.
But so far - Messi aside - their attacking players have failed to justify their "Fantastic Four" tag.
Will it be Germany's all-star cast taking the curtain call at the Maracana? Can leading man Thomas Muller become the first player to win back-to-back Golden Boots? Or will Lionel Messi steal the show and inspire Argentina to a third World Cup triumph?
Muller is Germany's leading scorer with five goals at this tournament, but Joachim Low's men are anything but a one-man band.
Play media
Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Gary Lineker looks for more from Argentina's Messi
A further seven Germans have also scored, and the likes of Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Andre Schurrle could just as easily prove Maracana match-winners.
Argentina arrived in Brazil with, by common consent, the most potent forward line in world football.
But so far - Messi aside - their attacking players have failed to justify their "Fantastic Four" tag.
Fitness problems have made it tough for Sergio Aguero to shine, while Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria have managed just one goal apiece.
Di Maria has nonetheless been nominated by Fifa's Technical Study Group as a contender for the Golden Ball.
But it remains to be seen whether his recovery from a thigh injury has been swift enough for him to make an impact in the final.
But while Argentina's attack has disappointed, their defence - pinpointed as a potential Achilles' heel before the tournament - has stood firm.
Goalkeeper Sergio Romero spent almost all of the 2013-14 season on the bench with Monaco, but has kept a tournament-high four clean sheets in Brazil.
Di Maria has nonetheless been nominated by Fifa's Technical Study Group as a contender for the Golden Ball.
But it remains to be seen whether his recovery from a thigh injury has been swift enough for him to make an impact in the final.
But while Argentina's attack has disappointed, their defence - pinpointed as a potential Achilles' heel before the tournament - has stood firm.
Goalkeeper Sergio Romero spent almost all of the 2013-14 season on the bench with Monaco, but has kept a tournament-high four clean sheets in Brazil.
0 comments:
Post a Comment