International Friendly: Big Guns Lock Horns in Cologne

Germany vs Belgium

If there are to be international friendly highlights this week, chances are this match-up will be one that provides them.

It is certainly a contest which warrants a bigger stage and an international friendly which could provide us with an indication of the direction of both teams as they bid to reach next year’s European Championships.

It is also a contest both nations will be keen to stamp their mark upon as they look to recover from disastrous World Cup showings.

Talking Points

This the start of a new era for Belgium.

When their so-called ‘Golden Generation’ finished third at the 2018 World Cup, knocking out Brazil en route, the question was a simple one: was it the end of an era or the start of something?

As it turned out, it was the former.

They fell short in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 – played in the summer of 2021 – as they lost to eventual winners Italy.

Despite being ranked second in the world by FIFA at the time, they then failed to even qualify from their group at the recent World Cup which prompted the end of Roberto Martinez’s reign.

Domenico Tedesco was last month appointed his successor, the 37 year-old, who was born in Italy but also holds German citizenship, has signed a contract until after Euro 2024.

It appears it is time for a fresh start with many players ageing, though there have been few changes in his maiden squad.

While there is no place for Axel Witsel, many of the names are familiar ones.

Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia has earned his first senior Belgium call-up and goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski has been recalled in place of the retired Simon Mignolet.

Other names earning a return to the fold include Nottingham Forest midfielder Orel Mangala and Wolfsburg defender Sebastiaan Bornauw, both of whom were last capped against Burkina Faso a year ago.

They made a fine start to his tenure by beating Sweden 3-0 in their opening qualifier on Friday night, a match in which Romelu Lukaku netted a fine hat-trick,

Likewise, Germany also won at the weekend with a 2-0 friendly success over Peru in which Niclas Fullkrug scored twice.

Likewise, there is also no less pressure on them after they also failed to progress to the knockout stages in Qatar.

I remember the night when they beat the minnows of Costa Rica, after a scare, but the 4-2 victory was not enough for Die Mannschaft after Japan scored a controversial goal to beat Spain and consign the Germans to successive group-stage exits for the first time in their illustrious history.

They now are keen to bounce back and reinforce their status as one of the world’s leading international sides.

There have been casualties since the tournament after manager Hansi Flick named five uncapped players in his squad.

Although Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Bayern Munich duo Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller have not been included, Flick confirmed he would use this opportunity to give younger players some game time anyway.

Brentford winger Kevin Schade, Augsburg forward Mergim Berisha, Wolfsburg midfielder Felix Nmecha, Stuttgart defender Josha Vagnoman and Borussia Dortmund defender Marius Wolf have all received their maiden senior call-ups.

Timo Werner also returns to the squad after missing the World Cup with an ankle injury, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer misses out after fracturing his leg in December.

History

When you consider that Belgium won their first three meetings with Germany – the first a 3-0 friendly success in Duisburg in 1910 when Louis Saeys (two) and Edmond van Staceghem were the scorers – yet have only won once since in the 110 years that have followed, will not make good reading for the Belgians.

All four of their victories have come in friendlies, the most recent in 1954.

By contrast, Germany have won their last nine, the most recent in a qualifier for Euro 2012 when Mesut Özil, André Schürrle and Mario Gómez scored in a 3-1 win. Marouane Fellaini, then of Everton, notched a late consolation.

That capped a 100 per cent qualifying record for the Germans who would go onto reach the semi-finals of the tournament a year later.

They had also won 1-0 in Belgium in a September 2010 qualifier when Miroslav Klose scored the only goal.

Overall, Germany have 20 successes with four Belgium victories and a solitary draw.

That came in a September 1982 friendly in Munich which ended goalless.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP international friendly betting odds rarely go against the Germans at home, if at all, and this is no exception with the hosts available to back 1X2 @ 1.62 and the Belgians @ 4.50.

Asian Handicap odds are on offer Germany -0.75 @ 1.84, -1.00 @ 2.17 with Belgium priced +0.75 @ 2.04.

With such talent on display, you can be forgiven for fancying a fair few goals and options include over 2.50 @ 2.03, total goal 4-6 3.75 and 2-3 @ 1.82, compared to a more conservative 0-1 2.85.

More than a decade on, if you fancy another 3-1 home win, Correct Score is offering odds of @ 12.50.

For two nations ranked fairly closely – 11^th and second in the world respectively – this could be close and a 1X2 Draw @ 3.60 may tempt you.

 

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