Porto Alegre will be the venue for tonight’s round of sixteen clash between Germany and Algeria, a match which has set chins wagging over rumours of Algeria seeing this as a chance to gain revenge over the “Disgrace in Gijon” thirty two years ago, when Germany’s 1-0 triumph over Austria allowed both teams to progress at Algeria’s expense, something which the African nation has never forgotten. Joachim Loew however, has dismissed such “frivolities” as so much hearsay and has even gone so far as to say that such talk is nothing more than irritating. Germany will be without Lukas Podolski this evening, as he suffered a thigh injury while on duty against the USA. Mario Gotze is likely to return in his stead, and with Bastian Schweinsteiger performing well in his first game he may nudge Sami Khedira out of contention. Algeria are without any injury problems and are able to start a full strength squad.
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Algeria will make history tonight after reaching this stage for the first time in their country’s history, however it is inevitable that the past will rear its head this evening, with much talk over “revenge” and “avenging the disgrace in Gijon”. Thirty two years ago, Algeria beat Germany 2-1 who then played Austria the following day. Austria and Germany both needed Germany to win by one goal to allow both nations to go through at the expense of Algeria. Germany scored the only goal of the game early in the first half, and the teams then just sat back and played pointless, aimless football until the final whistle, a tactic that brought boos and jeers from the fans of both sides. The Algerian coach Vahid Halilhodzic has said of the incident: “We have not forgotten about it. Everyone talks about Germany and Algeria from 1982.”
But, in what is probably an attempt to allay talks of revenge, Algeria haven’t spoken publicly of trying to get revenge in tonight’s match. Speaking about what will be his country’s first ever World Cup knockout match, midfielder Nabil Bentaleb said: “We have to make our own history and we have to write our own page. Now it’s a new story.” There is a slightly dimmer perspective offered up by German coach Joachim Loew who has simply said: “All this talk about this game being about revenge is annoying. When I read about it, I find it irritating. Why should players who weren’t even born want revenge? Maybe some of the other side want to make an issue of it to motivate Algeria.” Even should that prove to be simply conjecture, Loew is still rightfully wary of Algeria saying: “The Algerians have proven that they are an uncomfortable rival. Anyone who thinks we have an easy game waiting for us is making a huge mistake.” Some of Algeria’s side will be observing Ramadan as we speak, a month long tradition which includes fasting in daylight. This will have some adverse effects on the Africans, as any player can lose up to six litres of water during a game. Medical staff from both squads will be on alert for any signs of dehydration as the two sides battle it out at Porto Alegre this evening.
