Four ways France can beat Germany
1 Defend with conviction
Unless Joachim Loew opts for a more radical reshuffle, perhaps pushing Thomas Mueller up front, he'll return Mario Goetze to Germany's attacking apex in the absence of the injured Mario Gomez.
Whether Loew decides on a conventional No. 9 or a false striker is rather beside the point. Goetze is neither. He remains a pretty maverick in search of a fixed position.
With Adil Rami expected to return to the French back four, the hosts have the upper hand defensively.
2 Learn Kroos control, Pogba
Toni Kroos remains Germany's barometer for ruthless efficiency, mixed with that ability to kill off opponents with a telling pass. Paul Pogba must do likewise in a congested midfield already without Sami Khedira and possibly Bastian Schweinsteiger.
3 Expose shaky back four
Without the suspended Mats Hummels, Germany have lost their imperious organiser who held the back line together, whatever the tactics.
Now the Germans must call upon a different formation with different personnel. It'll probably work.
Die Mannschaft have conceded only one goal in the tournament and that was Italy's spot-kick. But they haven't been exposed to anything like the firepower heading their way.
4 Arise, the three amigos
Before the tournament, Antoine Griezmann was exhausted, Dimitri Payet promised to be a bit-part impact player and Olivier Giroud had his countrymen lamenting the absence of Karim Benzema.
What a difference a day makes against Iceland (and an extra 45 minutes against the Republic of Ireland in the case of Griezmann).
France's forward three ripped Iceland to shreds.
If nothing else, Germany's proud record of not conceding a goal from open play must surely fall in Marseille.
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