Germany v Ghana preview: Mertesacker warns against second-match slump

Four of the last five followup matches in group play at World Cups have resulted in either a draw or loss for Germany, who aim to avoid a similar fate against Ghana on Saturday.

Per Mertesacker reacts during Germany's win over Portugal in their 2014 World Cup Group G opener on June 16, 2014. Odd Andersen / AFP

Germany will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself when they tackle Ghana in their second World Cup Group G match at Fortaleza on Saturday.

Historically, the Germans have a tradition of winning their opening group match at World Cup finals, only to struggle in their second game.

At the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, they drew their second matches, piling on the pressure for the final group game in order to qualify.

They endured a nervy 1-0 win over Poland in 2006 but four years ago they suffered a shock defeat to Serbia in their second match.

It left the Germans needing to beat Ghana in their final group match and memories of that anxious night in Johannesburg, when a Mesut Ozil goal put them through, still linger.

“That’s warning enough for us,” said Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker, who will win his 100th cap for Germany.

“We know what we have to do and will go into the second game with all seriousness.”

Following Monday’s 4-0 thumping of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal Germany know another victory would leave them on the verge of the last-16.

They will qualify for the knock-out phase if they beat Ghana and then USA avoid defeat against Portugal on Sunday in Manaus.

Germany may be forced to reshuffle their back-four as Mats Hummels struggles to recover from a thigh injury.

The centre-back has been unable to train with the squad since he had to be helped off with deep bruising to his right thigh against Portugal.

Should the Borussia Dortmund star miss out, right-back Jerome Boateng will move across to partner Mertesacker in the centre.

Sampdoria’s 22-year-old defender Shkodran Mustafi would then win his third cap at right-back, having come on for Hummels against Portugal.

After their 2-1 defeat to the USA in their group opener, Ghana need a win to keep their last-16 dreams alive.

Ghana’s footballer of the year Kwadwo Asamoah has begged coach Kwesi Appiah to put him back in a more attacking role for the Fortaleza clash.

Asamoah was devastated by the Black Stars’ US defeat and is eager to be given the chance to attack the Germans.

The 25-year-old was used as a left-sided defender in a loose 4-2-3-1 formation that failed to fire.

“I’m not a left back and I’m finding it difficult because I’d like to show what I’m capable of and show that I can do more,” the Juventus midfielder told AFP.

Ghana’s Berlin-born midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who faces his half-brother Jerome in the German defence, has turned up the heat by describing the Fortaleza clash as a gladiatorial-style ‘fight to the death’.

A former German youth international, Kevin-Prince Boateng has made a habit of criticising Loew’s side and his latest comments left the Germany camp cold.

“Kevin-Prince always has loose expressions on his lips,” said reserve goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.

“He’s trying to get a reaction, but we’re not tempted, we’re staying calm.”

After the early kick-off for the Portugal match, Germany can expect high humidity and temperatures over 30 degrees on the north Brazilian coast.

But the later kick-off time against Ghana is an advantage, says Mertesacker.

“I have a better feeling about the 4pm kick-off time than the 1pm against Portugal,” said the Arsenal star.

“In the afternoon, the sun doesn’t shine directly on the pitch and we’ll play more in the shadows, which is much more pleasant.

“As a north European, you feel a lot more sure of yourself in such conditions.”

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