World champions Germany primed for Spanish showdown
Vigo - Germany will look to end 2014 on a high against a Spain team they dethroned as FIFA World Cup winners in Tuesday night's prestigious international friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos (kick off 19:45 GMT/20:45 CET).
bundesliga.com previews die Mannschaft's final outing of what's been a for German football...
Germany remain top of the FIFA world rankings, despite recording just two victories from five following their in Brazil last summer. Tenth-placed Spain were dumped out of the tournament in the group stages as defending champions, but a second-string side impressed in Euro 2016 qualifying last week with a 3-0 win over Belarus.
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First-team regulars David de Gea, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Diego Costa are all missing for Vicente del Bosque's side. La Liga-based trio Isco, Sergio Busquets and Pedro were on target last time out and are likely to start, as should FC Bayern München's Juan Bernat (r.).
An injury to Bayern centre-back Jerome Boateng has opened the door to a for VfL Wolfsburg . Borussia Dortmund No. 1 (l.) will fill in for Manuel Neuer, while TSG 1899 Hoffenheim forward will come in for Borussia Mönchengladbach's Max Kruse.
FC Bayern summer recruit Bernat will be hoping his fine translates onto the international circuit. The left-sided specialist has played a part in every Bundesliga game so far for the champions, committing just four fouls in over 800 minutes of onfield action this term.
Bayern attacker Thomas Müller has no trouble whatsoever replicating his club heroics in the famous white shirt of Germany. The 25-year-old followed up his second career hat-trick with a cool brace last week to take his international goals haul to an impressive 43 in 61 appearances.
Bernat, Spain: "Germany are an amazing team. Their style is a bit Spanish with some players particularly good with the ball at their feet."
, Germany head coach (r.): "We want to show what we're capable of again and, if possible, win."
Germany lost to Argentina in a post-World Cup friendly, before scraping a win over Scotland, going down in Poland, drawing with Ireland and beating Gibraltar. Like Spain, Löw's men sit second in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, albeit with two points less (seven) after four games.
The two sides have met 21 times before, with Germany winning eight and Spain seven. La Furia Roja have, however, won the last three, including the Euro 2008 final and 2010 World Cup semi-final.
Possible line-ups:
Spain: Casilla - Azpilicueta, Bartra, Sergio Ramos, Juan Bernat - Raul Garcia, Koke, Ignacio Camacho, Isco - Morata, Paco Alcacer
Germany: Weidenfeller - Rüdiger, Mustafi, Höwedes, Durm - Khedira, T. Kroos - T. Müller, M. Götze, Bellarabi - Volland