Germany vs Colombia

Germany and Colombia are set to trade tackles at the Veltins-Arena in a tasty-looking international friendly.

Germany’s preparations for next year’s UEFA European Championships are not going according to plan after a disheartening 1-0 loss to Poland last week condemned Hansi Flick’s side to an underwhelming three-game winless run (D1, L2). Although Germany’s response to a shock group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup last December continues to trouble home fans, the impending return to the Veltins-Arena should offer a perfect chance for a fresh start. Indeed, ‘Die Mannschaft’ have only suffered one defeat in their last 12 friendlies on home soil (W7, D4), though they had to fight back from a 3-1 deficit to hold Ukraine to an action-packed 3-3 draw in their most recent such fixture. But since they’re unbeaten in all four previous meetings with Colombia (W2, D2), the Germans should, nonetheless, take the field in a buoyant mood.

On the other hand, visiting Colombia squeezed past Iraq 1-0 last time out to stretch their outrageous unbeaten streak to ten matches (W8, D2), continuing to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Copa America. But not even a decent-looking run of six wins from their last eight friendlies (D2) has been enough to mend for Colombia’s failed attempt to earn a place at the 2022 World Cup. Manager Nestor Lorenzo has yet to lose a game in charge of ‘Los Cafeteros’ since assuming the managerial reins in June 2022, giving the country a reason to look forward to this upcoming trip to the Veltins-Arena. With Colombia’s last two games on foreign soil seeing over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet (W1, D1), the crowd in attendance ought to witness an exciting affair.