England Robbed Of 4-2 Loss To Germany, Settles For 4-1 Loss To Germany

Joachim Löw is starting his preparation for the quarterfinals, pulling Miroslav Klöse and Thomas Müller off in the 72nd minute and replacing them with Mario Gomez and Piotr Trochowski.

Klöse and Müller have combined for three goals today.

Germany is back ahead by two goals after right wing Thomas Müller scored in the 67th minute, giving Germany a 3-1 lead.

The Germans broke-out on a counter attack after a Frank Lampard free kick, with Bastian Schweinsteiger feeding Müller in the right of the penalty area. The German’s strike from 15 yards out went off David James’ elbow and in at the near post to restore the 2-0 lead Germany had before Matthew Upson’s goal.

England coach Fabio Capello stays with the same lineup that beat Algeria, including Jermain Defoe partnering Wayne Rooney, Matthew Upson along side John Terry, and James Milner starting over Aaron Lennon.

Here is England’s starting XI:

There are no surprises for Joachim Löw’s Nationalmannschaft, who have Jerome Boateng and Bastian Schweinsteiger healthy for their quarterfinal match against Englang.

Here is Germany’s starting XI:

If they don’t, the favorites will continue their tendency to attack in waves, creating problems from their older, slower opposition.

When Germany enters the attacking third at full speed, this kind of attack becomes frighteningly difficult to stop. It’s easy to say “don’t let Müller get behind you,” much harder to pull off when you’re asking a left back to go from a stopped position, turn and run when his opposition’s already baring down on him.