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Joshua Kimmich is wary of the “spectacular attacking players” Ivory Coast have at their disposal as Germany aim to make it two World Cup wins from two in Group E.
Die Mannschaft saw off minnows Curacao 7-1 in their opening game, eventually running out emphatic winners after initially seeing their opening goal cancelled out by an historic goal for the smallest nation to ever qualify for the tournament.
Ivory Coast promise to offer a sterner test, with the Elephants having left it late to beat Ecuador 1-0 in their first game.
Emerse Fae’s side were fortunate not to fall behind as Ecuador hit the woodwork several times, before Amad Diallo scored a 90th-minute winner that put Ivory Coast in an excellent position to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
Liverpool target Yan Diomande impressed for Ivory Coast, and Kimmich identified him as a danger man as Germany aim to keep a clean sheet for the first time in eight World Cup games.
On Diomande, Kimmich said: “A year ago, hardly anyone knew him. He’s had an outstanding season, even though RB Leipzig had a few problems. His dribbling is exceptional, a bit like Kingsley Coman at Bayern back in the day.
“He’s got incredible pace. But there are other good players we have to prepare for. They have spectacular attacking players.
“We all have a common goal, and that gives us positive energy. At the moment, it’s working very well; we’ve won 10 games in a row now and are on the right track.”
Diomande, meanwhile, knows that Germany have a host of talents who can damage Ivory Coast’s hopes of an upset.
“When you play in Germany, you quickly see that everything there is very structured. Discipline is very important, punctuality, intensity in training,” said Diomande.
“I learned a lot as a result, both on and off the pitch. Germany is a very strong team; they never give up and fight until the end. Add to that their individual quality. That makes them very strong.
“Florian Wirtz, for example, is a very creative player who finds solutions in the final third, even in tight spaces. Players like that can change a game with a single action.”
Team news for Germany v Ivory Coast
Germany have no new injury worries, but may make a change up front following Deniz Undav’s impressive performance against Curacao.
Ivory Coast will have Elye Wahi available after the decision to deny him entry to Canada was overturned.
Predicted line-ups for Germany v Ivory Coast
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Havertz, Musiala, Wirtz; Undav.
Ivory Coast: Y. Fofana; Doue, Singo, Agbadou, Konan; Diallo, Kessie, S. Fofana, Diomande; Bonny, Toure
Where to watch Germany v Ivory Coast: TV and online streams
Germany v Ivory Coast kicks off at 9:00pm on Saturday UK time. It will be broadcast on ITV1 and STV. It will be available to stream via ITVX and the STV Player. Sky subscribers can also stream the game via Sky Go.
Stats for Germany v Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast are aiming to win multiple games at a World Cup for the first time.
Germany have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven World Cup games.
Die Mannschaft have won their last 10 games, which marks Germany’s longest winning streak since a 12-game run between May 1979 and June 1980 under Josef Derwall.
Germany have not won their opening two games at a World Cup since 2006, when they beat Costa Rica and Poland en route to reaching the semi-finals.
This will be only the second meeting between Germany and Ivory Coast, with their only previous encounter coming in a 2-2 friendly draw in November 2009.
Germany have lost just one of their eight World Cup games against Africa opposition (W5, D2). That defeat came in a 2-1 loss to Algeria in 1982.
Ivory Coast have claimed one victory from four World Cup games against European opponents (D1, L2). The Elephants beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2 in 2006 after their elimination from the group stage.
Prediction for Germany v Ivory Coast
This will be a much sterner test for Germany after their rout of Curacao, but it’s a challenge Nagelsmann’s men should come through.
Prediction: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
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