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Preview: Germany out to impress without star duo
German national team manager, Joachim Low has chosen to omit Bayern Munich pair, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gotze from the friendly game against Paraguay. The star duo’s preseason has been hampered by injuries and the manager would rather not jeopardise anything for the national side as the final furlong of the World Cup qualifying campaign is about to begin.
Young Schalke attacker, Julian Draxler was set to start the game but after picking up an Achilles injury, he will not play any part in the game. Instead, Chelsea’s summer signing, Andre Schurrle is expected to start in the attack.
However, despite injuries, the German squad is dominated by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund players. Nine of those players who were not part of the national team’s two-game tour of the United States back in June, have returned to the fold.Among those players are Bayern Munich defensive duo Jerome Boateng and the ever-green Philipp Lahm while Sven Bender and Marco Reus have also been named in the squad.
During a pre-match press conference, Low was pleased to see familiar faces return to the set-up.
"I am very pleased that for the first time in five months we have many of the players back who form the backbone of the team," he said.
"It is important to start well to start in a season which will end for us with the World Cup in Brazil."
Both Mario Gomez and Schurlle, who secured moves to Italy and England respectively, are in the squad and Low feels that the duo would benefit a lot from making moves out of Germany.
"I'm sure both players will gain from their experiences abroad," he continued. "You can see that Schuerrle is in good hands with Jose Mourinho from the progress Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira made under him."
Back in June, Low made several changes to the side which eventually lost 4-3 to United States but the footballing giants are in great shape and before that defeat, were on a nine-game unbeaten run.
Paraguay on the other hand, will have a squad of young players, a feature of manager Victor Genes’ side. The 21-man squad includes 17-year-old striker Antonio Sanabrua who plays for Barcelona and is attracting interest from Arsenal.
Liga MX giants, Toluca will have three representatives in Richard Ortiz, Pablo Velazquez and Edgar Benitez.
With a young side, Paraguay have found it really hard to secure a place in the World Cup which is to be staged in Brazil next year. As things stand, the South Americans are in bottom of the South American qualifying table with just eight points from 12 games.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels
Though it is just a friendly, fans of respective teams would be eager to see what the future holds for their sides and would want to know where to watch the game live.
Watch Germany vs Paraguay live:
In USA at 14:45 ET on ESPN3, Galavision
In UK at 19:45 on ESPN UK / HD
Fans in other parts of the world can watch the match live on their local channels. Fans in the Middle East can watch the match live on Al Jazeera Sport +2, whereas those in Germany can watch the match on ZDF, ZDF Sport, MDR Info.
Probable starting XI
Germany: Neuer; Schmelzer, Hummels, Boateng, Lahm; Khedira, Gundogan, Ozil, Reus, Schurrle; Gomez
Paraguay: Villar; Da Silva, Aguilar, Samudio, Candia; Riveros, Martinez, Ortiz, Fabbro; Santa Cruz, Benitez
