Klose Edges Towards World Cup Record

Germany manager Joachim Low has made the surprise decision of naming only one recognised striker in his 23-man squad for Brazil.

Experienced forward Miroslav Klose looks set to lead the line for the Germans at his fourth World Cup after Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland was dropped from the provisional list.

Klose will be looking to make history at this year’s event; he is currently tied with Gerd Muller at 14 goals as Germany’s leading scorer at the finals and only one behind the Brazilian Ronaldo for the all-time record.

As for team selection, Germany have deployed a 4-3-3 formation for much of Low’s eight year reign and this summer should be no different.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the undisputed German number one and he will be looking to add to his 45 caps in Brazil.

The biggest plus point to the German squad is its strength in depth, particularly in defence and midfield. Captain Phillip Lahm is capable of playing on either flank in the back four as is Borussia Dortmund utility man Kevin Grosskreutz while Max Hummels is expected to play backup to Jerome Boateng and Per Mertesacker in the centre.

Toni Kroos will be joined by his club teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger in the engine room of the German midfield with Arsenal’s Mezult Ozil should be handed the coveted number ten position.

On the wings, Marco Reus looks set to be rewarded for a fine individual season with Borussia Dortmund by starting on the left. The Dortmund born player scored 16 goals in 30 games as they finished runners up in the Bundesliga.

The industrious Thomas Müller is most likely to occupy the right wing, as he will be aiming to make it past 50 caps for Germany.

Should Low decide to play with a natural centre forward, Klose seems the obvious choice but the manager has toyed with the idea of playing a false nine during the friendlies with both Reus and Mario Gotze being deployed in the role.

They were held to a 2-2 draw against Cameroon last weekend in which a second string side struggled to impose themselves on their less industrious opponents.

Given the quality of the opposition that Germany will face in Group G, they will need to drastically improve their performances in order to justify their tag as one of the favourites in Brazil.

Germany’s opening group game will be a mouth-watering clash against Portugal on June 16 in Salvador before moving onto Ghana and then finishing up against the USA.

For a full view of the Germany squad, visit our German team page.

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover).

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (FC Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich),

Forward: Miroslav Klose (Lazio).

Extratime.ie will be covering the FIFA World Cup 2014 from the first kick of a ball to the last with reports and news. We will also have regular features from our reporter in Brazil, Macdara Ferris, who is attending the Russia v South Korea game amongst others.