Low Set To Experiment In Friendly Against Hungary.

In what will be Germany’s last warmup before the World Cup, it will be interesting to see how the Germans lineup, and who will ultimately deserve their place in Low’s final 23-man squad.

Hungary, who miss out on this year’s World Cup after being beaten to qualification by Denmark and Portugal, will still prove a stern test for Germany in this friendly. Although it is never wise to look into a friendly game too seriously, it still surely be a test for the Germans to gauge how prepared they really are for their group stage, which consists of Ghana, Serbia and Australia.

In Germany, the press and the public will demand early results and quality performances from the Nationalelf, and so this friendly, for Joachim Low especially, will allow him to determine who he can absolutely rely on in key areas where more senior players are missing.

This friendly will give Sami Khedira a chance to show his stuff after being named the successor to Michael Ballack’s position in the team. His ability to win the ball in midfield and drive his team on will be essential to Germany’s chances at the World Cup, especially against teams who are robust in the midfield areas. Serbia, for example, will start the likes of Champions League winner Dejan Stankovic. Ghana, another team competing with Germany in the group stages of the World Cup, will field the likes of Kevin Prince Boateng, whose terrible tackle in the FA Cup final just weeks ago robbed Germany of then-captain Michael Ballack, so Khedira will certainly have his work cut out for him.

Hungary will field a lineup similar to this:

Fulop – Szelesi, Vanczak, Juhasz, Bodmor – Bodor, Vadocz – Huszti, Toszer, Dzsudzsak – Torghelle

Hungary will be without the likes of Zoltan Gera, who has had such an impressive season with Fulham, and Tamas Hajnal, who plies his trade with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Germany’s lineup will be without Phillip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Hans-Jorg Butt, as Low has chosen to rest them ahead of the World Cup. Germany obviously will also be without Michael Ballack, Simon Rolfes and Christian Traesch, who have all pulled out of the team with injuries.

Germany’s probable XI: Neuer – Beck, Friedrich, Badstuber, Aogo – Khedira, Westermann – Marin, Ozil, Jansen – Klose

Heiko Westermann, whose versatility will be key for Germany as he can slot in anywhere along the backline or in midfield, will most likely pair Sami Khedira in the middle. Miroslav Klose has had quite a poor season with Bayern Munich this year, but will be looking to show his worth to Germany and Low as he takes the field against Hungary.

Klose will also wear the captain’s armband in this match, instead of Phillip Lahm who is being rested.

Germany should make easy work of a half-strength Hungary side and show the world why they can never be counted out when it comes to the World Cup. Ozil will be key in any attacking moves Germany make, and will look to fashion chances for himself and his teammates. Khedira will also be looking to prove himself, since the onus has been placed on him to replace the influential Michael Ballack.

Hungary 0 – 3 Germany