Marseille (AFP) – Didier Deschamps’ talented France side block the path of Germany’s spluttering juggernaut in Thursday’s second Euro 2016 semi-final with the world champions missing some of their stars.

With an element of revenge in the air, hosts France can expect fanatical backing from their home fans in Marseille.

Les Bleus are buoyed by a 5-2 quarter-final thumping of minnows Iceland when Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet all netted at the Stade de France.

Germany are missing key players through injury and suspension after their penalty shoot-out win over Italy in the last eight.

But ‘die Mannschaft’ will include captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is fit after recovering from a knee strain.

“In a game like this, his experience is very valuable and, in any case, he will start,” head coach Joachim Loew confirmed on Wednesday.

France are unbeaten in their last nine games, while Germany have not lost in their last six.

“For us, there is no fear. We know that France are loaded with good individual players, but they are under pressure as hosts,” said Germany forward Thomas Mueller.

“Iceland didn’t look so happy with the goals they conceded.

“France have our respect, but I am optimistic that we will find solutions (to the injury problems).

“For us there is no loss of quality.”

– German injuries –

Germany’s tense penalty shoot-out win in Bordeaux came at a high price.

Centre-back Mats Hummels picked up a yellow card which sees him suspended in Marseille.

Striker Mario Gomez and midfielder Sami Khedira picked up thigh and groin injuries respectively which rule them out of the semi-final.

Loew is set to return to a 4-2-3-1 formation having used a 3-5-2 against Italy.

With Gomez out, World Cup-winner Mario Goetze could start up front.

With Hummels suspended, Shkodran Mustafi or Benedikt Hoewedes will partner Jerome Boateng at centre-back with Joshua Kimmich at right-back and Jonas Hector on the left.

France striker Giroud has scored against Bayern Munich ‘keeper Manuel Neuer in each of the last three games for France and Arsenal, a threat the Germans must counter. 

“He is a very dangerous poacher inside the box,” said Neuer.

“He is strong in the air, he is dangerous for central defenders.

“But we know him and can prepare for him and they have a lot of other quality players.”

For France, defender Adil Rami and midfielder N’Golo Kante are back in contention after missing the win over Iceland through suspension.

The French camp is full of praise for the world champions, but the message is clear.

“We’d like to write another chapter in French football history,” said Giroud while French sports daily L’Equipe ran the front-page headline ‘Thirsty for Revenge’ on Tuesday.

– Memories of Seville –

Just as it was for the Germans against Italy, the semi-final is a fixture steeped in history.

Les Bleus lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana thanks to Hummels’ first-half header.

And France have never fully forgiven Germany for their penalty shoot-out defeat in a bitterly contested World Cup semi-final in Spain in 1982.

An epic 3-3 draw, with four goals scored in extra-time, came down to a penalty shoot-out which Germany won 5-4, but the match in Seville is remembered for a brutal incident.

France’s Patrick Battiston was knocked unconscious, losing two teeth and suffering three cracked ribs, after a collision with Germany goalkeeper Harald Schumacher.

France last beat Germany at a major finals with a 6-3 win over the West Germans at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, although that was in a play-off for third place.

French coach Deschamps has called on Les Bleus to go on the attack.

“We can’t change past history, but we’ve got our own page to write,” said Deschamps in Marseille.

“We’re facing the best team in the world, but the lads have to believe.”

The German camp has played down the historical significance to focus on the here and now.

“The chance to win two titles back-to-back is not something you get everyday. We’re looking forward to it,” added Mueller.