OMAN – GERMANY | Wednesday 6pm
Hansi Flick’s Germany are preparing for their World Cup debut against Japan on Wednesday 23rd at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, the capital of the host country. The Mannschaft have been training in the Middle East for a few days now, and in order to prepare for their debut they have chosen to play a friendly against an uncompetitive selection, Oman, in Muscat at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. In Qatar, Muller and his team-mates will be called upon to redeem the recent disappointments they have suffered in international tournaments: both in Russia 2018 and Euro 2020, their path has been anything but exhilarating and the former Bayern Munich coach – who won everything with the Bavarians – has the arduous task of bringing this selection back to the top, starting a new winning cycle after the Low era.
Germany, although not among the main favourites on the eve of the tournament, is still a national team not to be underestimated: exploits are always just around the corner. In the last Nations League, however, it showed some limitations, perhaps due to the inexperience of some young players. It finished third in the group with Italy, England and Hungary, barely winning a game. In short, there are some problems and Flick will try to solve them before the start of the eagerly awaited World Cup. Reaching the round of 16 should not be a problem, considering that in his group, in addition to Spain, there are also Japan and Costa Rica. Against Branko Ivankovic’s Oman, Kai Havertz will lead the attack: behind him will be Bayern Munich’s trio of Gnabry, Musiala and Sané.
Branko Ivankovic
The Prediction
Oman will not be able to limit the damage against a national team of Germany’s calibre: needless to say, there is a huge gap between the two teams. Expect at least three goals in total in what will be no more than an outing for the Mannschaft.
The probable Oman-Germany line-up
- OMAN (4-4-2): Al-Rushaidi; Durbin, Al-Habsi, Al-Busaidi, Al-Harthi; Al-Khaldi, Al-Saadi, Al-Alawi, Al-Yahyaei; Al-Hajri, Al-Muqbali.
- GERMANY (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kehrer, Rudiger, Sule, Raum; Kimmich, Gundogan; Gnabry, Musiala, Sane; Havertz.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3
