Spain will be looking for their first win on German shores since 1935 when they take on Die Mannschaft at the ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf on Tuesday night. The fixture, pitting the 2010 World Cup champions against the 2014 winners, is one of several high profile ones during the international break, with teams seeking to fine-tune their preparations ahead of this summer’s quadrennial extravaganza in Russia
Since that 2-1 win in May 1935 at the Lindethal Stadium, secured thanks to a brace from Isidro Langara, the Spanish have played seven times on German soil, losing five and drawing two.
Spain beat Germany in the Euro 2008 final and the 2010 World Cup semi-final, both by one goal margins, but Die Mannschaft won the most recent meeting between the two sides, a friendly in Vigo back in 2014, thanks to a late goal from Toni Kroos.
The Germans have qualified for the 2018 World Cup with a 100% record, just like the Spanish did en route to their 2010 triumph in South Africa. They shattered the record for most goals scored in a tournament qualifying campaign (previously held by who else but Spain!), netting 43 times in WC 2018 qualification.
Joachim Low’s side are unbeaten in their last 21 games and are currently 1st in the world. The manager chose to name no Dortmund player in his latest squad, with the likes of Marco Reus, Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle all not picked.
Bayern’s Sebastian Rudy has withdrawn from the squad with his wife expected to give birth any moment, while Emre Can is injured. With Manuel Neuer also on the sidelines, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is likely to play under the sticks, making this a mouthwatering match up between United’s David De Gea and the Barcelona stopper. Jonas Hector could be in line for his first international appearance since September 2017. Low has also confirmed that the likes of Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos will all start for the home side.
A look at the bookies from the free bets uk website indicates that the Germans are favourites at 7/5 to win this clash. At the time of writing, Spain are being quoted at 9/4 to break their 83 year hoodoo on German soil.
Germany recent form
Germany 2-2 France (Werner, Stindl)
England 0-0 Germany
Germany 5-1 Azerbaijan (Goretzka, Wagner, Rudiger, Goretzka, Can)
Northern Ireland 1-3 Germany (Rudy, Wagner, Kimmich)
Germany 6-0 Norway (Ozil, Draxler, Werner*2, Goretzka, Gomez)
Lopetegui has sprung some surprises in his latest squad, choosing to ignore the likes of Juan Mata, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata and recalling Diego Costa to the national team for the first time in nearly two years. Bayern’s Thiago Alcantara is a major doubt for La Furia Roja after picking up a foot injury in the Bavarian giants’ recent European clash against Besiktas.
Spain recent form
Russia 3-3 Spain (Jordi Alba, Ramos*2)
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica (Alba, Morata, Silva*2, Iniesta)
Israel 0-1 Spain (Illarramendi)
Spain 3-0 Albania (Rodrigo, Isco, Thiago Alcantara)
Liechtenstein 0-8 Spain (Ramos, Morata, Isco, David Silva, Aspas*2, Morata, OG)
Germany v Spain kicks off at 20.45 CET in Dusseldorf