ÂGermany takes on Russia in a match , which most German fans believe would give the mannschaft atleast a point and a direct route to South Africa. Lets face it Germany is not the most popular team in the world...Nobody really considers them as real favourites at any tournament ..But footballing world knows how dangerous the team can be once they wear the tournament cap...

Unlike the past German sides..except for Ballack , Lahm and Mertesacker , nobody is a guaranteed starter in this German team...Whether this competition is due to talent / lack of it needs to be pondered

Goal Keeping - would definitely be one of the lesser headaches for Loew...Even though Kahn's throne is still vacant ..Adler , Neuer/ Enke would definitely be class enough for a top international side..The only question  remains is who would wear the No.1 ..Will Hildebrand make the competition tougher ??

Defence - Mertesacker and Lahm would be favourites for CB and LB (Van Gaal please take note)  The competition  for the second CB would be between Tasci, Westermann and Metzelder..RB would be a slight concern for Germany...Andreas Beck /Clemens Fritz /Hinkel could start ..or If Jansen is fit we may see Lahm shifting to RB...2002 WC german defence led by Nowotny and Linke had experience but was ripped open due to lack of pace...2006 younger legs gave them the pace but experience was evidently lacking...Would this team have a mixture of both ?

Midfield - Most probably Germany would play with 4 midfielders , what would be the formation , would remain a question...Ballack would definitely be the first name on the team sheet and would most probably play in a withdrawn role , Rolfes/Hitzlsperger might provide him company..Will Loew call back Frings need to be seen...Now the 2 remaining spots would be contested between Oezil , Schweini, Trochowski and Marin..Oezil  as it stands would be the favourite...or would we see an unknown hero emerge this season ??

Attack..Headache Zone ..most probably  - Options are Miroslav  Klose ( Struggling to find a regular berth at Bayern) Mario Gomez (Haven't performed for Germany as for VFB) Lukas Podolski (Probably the most consistent option)  Stefan Kiessling ( He is in good form, but would he have the consistency and class at the world stage ? ) , Patrick Helmes ( Same as Kiessling) , Cacau (Very much an outside chance)
..Would Kuranyi be tempted by a WC / Does Mannscahft need his services ??

Well WC is still a fair distance away..there can be injuries ,  gain/loss of form ..But as it stands Germany wouldn't be hot favourites ...Then  again Germany and tournaments.. hmmm...may be - just may be......who knows




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