South American and European juggernauts will do battle today in an international friendly between Germany and Chile. The World Cup tune-up scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET will be held at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Stuttgart and can be live streamed here free.
Both sides comfortably qualified for the 2014 World Cup last year. Germany's superiority finished eight points clear of Sweden in UEFA Group C. Chile finished third behind Colombia and Argentina with 28 points in South America's CONMEBOL qualifiers. A multitude of world-class talent will occupy the pitch, providing both teams a true test for their World Cup mettle.
For German coach Joachim Low, today's friendly is an opportunity to capture an elite rhythm and move past any niggling injuries or a dip in form. "On paper we have a top team with top quality and individuals, but the realty looks a little different," Low told reporters on Goal. "The truth is not so nice because many of our players have been injured for a long time and don't have much rhythm, be it due to a dip in form or niggling injuries, which is why we need to use these next two-and-a-half months to improve and do everything to reach top form," he added.
"The clock is ticking and I'm making an appeal to everybody to prepare as best they can and to invest all they can, not only to be physically but also psychologically ready for this."
Low has found the perfect opponent to do just that. In the last six months, Chile has gone toe-to-toe with European powers England and Spain. The English faltered at Wembley Stadium. The Spaniards only managed a draw.
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Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Striker Miroslave Klose is on the cusp of becoming the most prolific goalscorer in the history of German football. The X-year-old is enters today's friendly with 68 international goals for the Eagles, leaving him level with Gerd Muller.
Germany Projected Lineup: Neuer; Schmelzer, Mertesacker, Boateng, Lahm; Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Götze, Özil, Podolski; Klose
Chile Projected Lineup: Herrera; Medel, Gonzalez, Mena; Isla, Aranguiz, Vidal, Fernandez; Beausejour; Vargas, Sanchez
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