FRANCE v GERMANY: Both sides looking to rediscover flair

By John Bagratuni, dpa

Rio de Janeiro (dpa) - Germany and France need to rediscover their flair from early in the tournament when they meet in an all-European World Cup quarter-final on Friday.

Germany have not been able to duplicate their opening 4-0 against Portugal while Les Bleus have been stuttering lately after starting brightly with a 3-0 win against Honduras and a 5-2 thrashing of Switzerland.

Now comes their date at the famous Maracana for a place in the semis where hosts Brazil or Colombia will await the winner.

The Germans are no surprise in the advanced stages. They reached the the last eight for the 17th time in 18 World Cup participations. They have reached the semis on 12 previous occasions - including six of the last eight, and have lifted the trophy in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

The French are among the best eight for the seventh time, and they have reached the semis five times, losing only in 1938.

They have been inconsistent lately, alternating between the final (title 1998, runner-up 2006) and first-round elimination (2002, 2010) in the past four editions. This trend suggests that they should make the final again on July 13 - if only they weren't playing Germany.

France won their first meeting 6-3 in the match for third place in 1958, but then lost back-to-back semi-finals in 1982 and 1986.

The circumstances of the first of those two remain part of World Cup history, Germany fighting back from 3-1 down in extra time to win the first penalty shoot-out at a World Cup, and German keeper Toni Schumacher brutally bringing down Patrick Battiston.

German football was far from pretty at the time while the Michel Platini-led French had all the flair: Their 1986 quarter-final against Brazil is arguably among the top three best World Cup matches.

Now the roles are somewhat reversed.

Germany have for the past years rediscovered their style from the early 1970s with a healthy mix of youth and experience featuring the likes of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Many believe this is their best chance for the title.

France had to overcome the shame of 2010, a winless first-round exit and a shambolic appearance off the pitch, culminating in the ejection of forward Nicolas Anelka and a training boycott.

Karim Benzema and former captain Patrice Evra are among the few players left from 2010, and youngsters such as Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Mamadou Sakho have played a major role at the tournament.

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff admitted that "at the moment one would rather see France as favourites" while Sakho has praised Germany as "a wonderful team."

Compliments aside, German coach Joachim Loew and his French counterpart Didier Deschamps face crucial tactical decisions.

Winger Andre Schuerrle was far more lively than playmaker Mario Goetze, and scored the opening goal, as Germany wore down Algeria 2-1 in extra time. Germany will need all the attacking power to break down the French defence which has three clean sheets from four games.

"I am ready if the coach wants to pick me," the 23-year-old Chelsea winger Schuerrle said.

Loew will not move Lahm out of midfield to his former right back position because he is needed more in the centre, and Jerome Boateng is available to go right again because Mats Hummels has overcome a flu that kept him out of the Algeria game.

Deschamps must decide whether Olivier Giroud is fielded as a striker again, and Benzema moves to the left, a scheme that didn't work against Nigeria, who were only beaten when Giroud gave way for Griezmann and Benzema could attack from midfield again.

Just like Mueller, Benzema has stalled in front of goal lately after both scored four times in the group stage.

Deschamps has been criticised for breaking the rhythm with too many changes in the last group game with Ecuador. He has dismissed claims that Benzema was unhappy, and that France was on a revenge mission for 1982 and 1986.

"Most of my players were not even born then. What am I supposed to tell them? I was 14 then," Deschamps said.