When England meet Germany, history is not just made but invoked. The English fear is that it will repeat itself, but in one respect it already has. By failing to win their group, they have emulated their predecessors of 1998 and 2002, teams who burdened themselves with needlessly difficult routes through a tournament and, ultimately, precipitated their own exit: first to Argentina, then to Brazil.
With Germany now, a probable quarter-final against Argentina and a possible semi-final versus Spain, the age-old enemies are in a similar predicament. Anything they achieve from now at this World Cup will have to be done the hard way. Both have experienced hardship so far, Germany in the form of an unfortunate and unexpected defeat to Serbia and England in a dire draw against Algeria. "It would be a terrible mistake to underestimate them just because they had a few problems in their group. They may well raise their game for the knockout matches," winger Lukas Podolski told Fifa.com. "But we have no need to be in awe, and we certainly have no reason to fear them. We respect them of course, but we're not afraid."
Respect without fear: it could be the motto of both sides. England's is the stronger side on paper but Germany have had the superior World Cup to date. They have the pedigree, England the players. "England is always England. It is a team with a lot of fighting spirit and very strong mentally, with incredible experience," Joachim Loew, the Germany manager, said. "The axis with John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney has the highest quality you can find in European football."
It is high praise, but the outstanding European player of the World Cup so far has been his own playmaker, Mesut Ozil. English teams have traditionally struggled to halt opponents who operate between the lines, between midfield and attack. It makes his duel with Gareth Barry one of the vital clashes today. So, too, is another midfield clash. Already deprived of captain Michael Ballack for the tournament, Bastian Schweinsteiger is a doubt with a back problem. Toni Kroos could deputise but it would leave Germany with an untried combination.
The exception to the rule is in attack where Miroslav Klose is eligible again after suspension and should replace the sidelined Cacau. Klose's formidable record - he has scored 11 World Cup goals - means he represents a stern test for Terry. After four central defensive partners in as many games, the former England captain could experience some rare continuity because, for the first time as England manager, Fabio Capello is expected to name an unchanged team with Matthew Upson likely to keep his place, though both Jamie Carragher and Ledley King are available again.
For England, galvanised by their victory over Slovenia, the hope is that Jermain Defoe can exploit Per Mertesacker's lack of pace, that Rooney will recapture the form he lost when he injured ankle ligaments in Germany in March and that Lampard will be able to overpower the inexperienced Kroos. While England revisit their past, in the form of a familiar foe, it is a day of no return for Capello, the best-paid manager in South Africa, and for a generation in its final opportunity to win a World Cup. There is no going back. @Email:sports@thenational.ae
Key battle James Milner has impressed for England on the right flank. For the Germans, left-back Philipp Lahm is a real attacking threat, and their duel will be vital. Tactics Both have struggled in front of goal. England have found it difficult to create chances, while Germany's goals have dried up after putting four past Australia. Previous meetings A 2-1 friendly win for England came in November 2008. Their goals came from today's probable centre-back pairing of Matthew Upson and John Terry.
