Germany footballers

The second semi-final between the world champions Germany and the volatile Mexicans promises to be a mouth-watering clash

Smooth entry into the semis
Coming into the tournament fielding virtually none of their stalwart stars of the 2010-2016 period, Germany has probably exceeded all expectations. Many pondered if they would even get through the group stages but comfortable wins over Australia and Cameroon ensured their progress. Players like Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich and Kerem Demirbay are now right in World Cup selection frame.
Mexico, on the other hand have been exactly as you would expect: diligent enough to overcome the hurdle (Russia) and the banana skin (New Zealand), whilst showing great fighting spirit to snatch a late point in their opening game against Portugal.
It will be seriously interesting to see how these giants fare up on the big day.

Key players to watch out for on the penultimate game
Carlos Vela, the Real Sociedad striker has been doing the national duty since the last decade, he has been tremendous with the ball at the helm, he has an amazing telepathy with his fellow team mates but Jonas Hector is the man from Germany who can stop this steam roller to trounce them. His impeccable footwork and agility would be tested when he is up to Mexican maverick. Two other players who cannot be missed are Germany’s Julian Draxler and Mexico’s Chicharito, who have been there for the considerable time and have done well with their clubs and also when they don the national colours. Where on one side people keep asking whether Chicharito has still left in him but the bigger question is, when did he lose it. As far Draxler is concerned, being made the skipper proves that he projected as the future leader for the Germans for the years to come.

Team with X-factor will prevail
Joachim Leow will have to make a difficult choice for his right back. Will it be Stindl or Werner, both of them have been at the top of their game in this tournament but the final nod will be given to the player who have the big game temperament. A tough choice to make but we all know what Leow is capable of.
Mexico has their own set of headaches, left-winger Andrés Guardado’s two yellow cards rules him out of this game, stripping the starting side of 135 caps of experience. Does that mean another of Mexico’s ex-wonder kid’s, Giovani Dos Santos, gets to start? He’s found his niche with the LA Galaxy and would dearly love to take on the world’s best right from the start. Another who grows an extra leg for the national team, perhaps he’ll get his chance in what would be his 99th cap. But the attacking-minded Marco Fabián (Eintracht Frankfurt) or ever-reliable Javier Aquino (UANL) are probably slightly better suited to wide play.

Mexico the team who has tasted success at Confederations Cup
Mexico are the only team in the tournament who have won the Confederations Cup before – when they hosted the event in 1999 and beat Brazil 4-3 in the final – and their squad has a considerable amount of international experience to repeat the feat, though they have hurdles enroute to the trophy like the Germans and the one who they will face in the finals and in most probability Portugal. But who on this earth can rule out the Germans, many did before the tournament, now they had to eat their humble pie. The young team led by the 23 year old Draxler is looking into good shape and has surprised many as most ruled them out as they fielded an inexperienced side resting most of the big guns from the winning WC side of 2014.