Germany Show Their Steel Ahead of World Cup.
Germany tested their World Cup credentials this evening against a strong and determined Bosnia side, which eventually ended in a 3-1 win for Die Mannschaft.
Joachim Loew fielded a strong first XI, which also included some of the out-of-form members of Germany’s 23-man squad who will be heading to South Africa this summer.
The German XI: Neuer – Lahm, Mertesacker, Friedrich, Badstuber – Khedira, Schweinsteiger – Trochowski, Ozil, Podolski – Klose
Germany won a hard-fought match against the Bosnians, who were determined to create an upset for the Germans. Edin Dzeko scored early on for Bosnia to put Germany’s advances at bay, but it wouldn’t be enough for Bosnia, who eventually couldn’t weather the storm against a technically superior and massively determined German side.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina XI: Hasagic – Mravac, Nadarevic, Spahic, Jahic – Rahimic, Pjanic, Misimovic, Salihovic – Dzeko, Ibisevic
After half-time, Klose was replaced for being a disappointment in Germany’s attack, and was replaced by Cacau. Trochowski also made way at the half, and was replaced by the young Thomas Mueller. Then, Germany came out and showed their superiority.
Die Mannschaft captain Phillip Lahm restored parity for the Germans, through one of his surging runs from just inside the Bosnia half, and then a bolt of a shot from the edge of the area which ended up in the top-left corner just 5 minutes after the break.
Mesut Ozil, who time and again made himself a thorn in Bosnian sides, had a shot cannon off the crossbar which he was unfortunate not to score with just a minute after Lahm’s equalizer.
Marko Marin replaced Podolski, and just minutes after his introduction he had made an impact. After running at the heart of the Bosnian defense, he was fouled inside the penalty box by Jahic. Schweinsteiger stepped up, and in typical German fashion, tucked it away.
Just minutes later, Mueller was fouled inside the area by Spahic. Schweinsteiger again stepped up confidently and put the Germans at ease, securing a 3-1 win.
Germany now flies into South Africa where expectations will be high, but this Nationalelf side will be thirsty for victory.
