FIFA World Cup 2018: Germany vs Mexico – Preview, Stats, Quotes

by Chittu Shetty June 17, 2018

Defending champions Germany are set to start their campaign with a stern test against Mexico who are looking forward to avenging their last Confederations cup semi-final defeat.

Germany vs Mexico

Germany vs Mexico – Last 5 Game
Germany: D-D-L-L-W
Mexico: W-L-D-W-L

Germany vs Mexico – Head to Head
Germany wins: 5
Mexico wins: 1
Draws: 5

Preview:

Much has changed since Germany’s last FIFA World Cup appearance. A raft of experienced players retired from the international fold for the four-time champions and the youngster who scored that priceless Maracana winner – Mario Gotze – did not make the final 23 for Russia.

While change has been forthcoming for Germany, two things have remained stable: success and Joachim Low. Die Mannschaft breezed through World Cup qualifying, winning ten out of ten, scoring 43 and conceding just four, and lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup last year with a youthful squad, while Low recently penned a contract until 2020.

On the way to that latter title, Germany saw off Mexico, who have themselves grown under the tutelage of Juan Carlos Osorio, in charge since 2015. The Colombian coach will look to avenge the 4-1 defeat in Sochi last year after steering Mexico comprehensively through World Cup qualifying – they lost just once in 16 games, the sole defeat coming after their passage to Russia had already been confirmed.

The Stats:

36 – Number of years since Germany has lost their World Cup opening game (1982 West Germany 1 -2 Algeria)

3.5 – Germany have averaged 3.5 goals per match in their opening games of the World Cup in last 36 years.

24 – Years since Mexico lost their opening game of the FIFA World Cup (1994 – Norway 1 – 0 Mexico)

4 – Only 4 players who started in last year’s Confederation Cup semi-final win against Mexico are expected to retain their places in the XI: right-back Joshua Kimmich, left-back Jonas Hector, Midfielder Julian Draxler and forward Timo Werner.

25 – The number of shots that Mexico had in last year’s encounter, although only Marco Fabian’s 35-yard screamer found the back of the net. Mexico cannot afford to be so profligate again if they want to get something out of this game.

The Quotes:

Jerome Boateng: “Mexico are known for their attacking, high-pressing game and we’ll have to cope with that. But I don’t think they’ll play exactly the same way that they did at the Confed Cup because we won that match pretty heavily, which is unusual against them.”

Carlos Salcedo: “We’ve worked hard on a game plan to beat Germany. They’re a team who command respect, but they’re not unbeatable. We intend to go toe to toe with them, but intelligently.”

For updated article with Report and highlights of the game.*** Click here or the below link

Also Read:  FIFA World Cup 2018: Germany vs Mexico – Review, Stats, Highlights & Quotes

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