Germany will have no doubts about their capabilities of advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but the European powerhouse will be wary of an Algeria side, waiting in the wings to spring a surprise, and looking for some much-awaited revenge.
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It was 32 years ago when Germany were accused of colluding with Austria to ensure the two sides from Europe would advance in the 1982 World Cup at the expense of Algeria, with the North African side's victory over West Germany earlier in that tournament ending up as just a consolation as the Germans managed a 1-0 win over the Austrians.
That match was dubbed as the "Disgrace of Gijon" and Germany, the overwhelming favourites going into the last 16 match against Algeria, will be wary of another headline along the lines of "The Upset of Porto Alegre" when the two teams meet at the Estadio Beira-Rio.
Germany began this World Cup on a rocking note, running rings around Portugal in a thumping win, before a fabulous game against Ghana saw them only just manage to pick up a point. A 1-0 victory over the USA in the final group game ensured top spot, and Joachim Low will be keen to see his side make some improvements against an Algeria side, filled with talented players, easily capable of upsetting a few apple carts.
"We may not be too familiar with the names but certainly we have been looking into the performance of the Algerian team for years," Germany coach Low said. "We know how they train, we know they have a strong French influence. We know that many of these players went to France and played and trained in the youth teams. The names may not be that familiar but the qualities certainly are."
Algeria showed plenty of quality to finish second behind Belgium in Group H, overcoming a late loss to the group toppers to pick up four points from their next two games to seal second spot. The 4-2 win over South Korea in Porto Alegre was particularly impressive, and Algeria needed to show plenty of fight to come back from a goal down and hold Russia to the draw that was needed to advance.
Coach Vahid Halilhodzic has a quite talented team at his disposal, with Algeria seemingly at their best when they play with attacking intent rather than when they sit back and invite pressure, like they did for so long against Belgium in their opening game, after scoring an early opener.
However, against Germany, Algeria will have little of the ball, and how they use it will be the most important aspect. "Tomorrow is a very serious opponent," Halilhodzic said on Sunday. "They are a very good candidate to be champions again. We have to control the ball. You know their mentality, their fitness. For us it's going to be very challenging.
"Germany is the favourite obviously but the Algerian team is able to surprise you. We are confident, we have to been improving in every match. Tomorrow we will have to be exceptional. Tomorrow we have nothing to lose. We are ambitious."
Algeria, though, couple be tripped up by the fact that Ramadan began a couple of days ago, and how the players, if they choose to observe the fast from sunrise to sunset, cope with the intensity of the matches. Halilhodzic, however, did not take too kindly to questions raised by reporters about players observing Ramadan.
"It's not the first time I have had Muslim players in my team. I myself am a Muslim," he said. "I've always let them be free, this is a private question and when you asked this you lack respect. The players will do as they wish. This is private. You should talk about football and nothing else. Stop asking me about Ramadan otherwise I'll get up and leave."
Team news: Germany: Forward Lukas Podolski has been ruled out of the contest with a thigh injury, while defender Jerome Boateng, who missed training due to a knee problem, is a slight doubt. Low also insisted he hasn't decided on which midfielder -- Sami Khedira or Bastian Schweinsteiger -- to play alongside Philipp Lahm and Toni Kroos.
"I have not yet completed my consideration to the lineup," Low said on Sunday. "Both are able to play from the start. Sami Khedira played twice from the start Bastian Schweinsteiger once and he is making a much better impression in training than a few weeks ago.
"Both are important for the team and I think I will decide by my gut feeling. Both are perfectly able to fulfil their duties...I think it is matter of having a feeling."
Algeria: Halilhodzic has no injury worries and the coach might stick with the same XI that battled to a 1-1 draw with Russia in their last match.
Key men: Germany: Thomas Muller has been on fire in the World Cup again, scoring four goals, including a peach of a winner against the USA.
Algeria: Islam Slimani has scored been quite impressive for his team, and after scoring a couple of important goals, the forward will be banked upon to find the back of the net again.
Expected lineups: Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Kroos; Ozil, Muller, Gotze.
Algeria: M'Bolhi; Mandi, Belkalem, Halliche, Mesbah; Medjani, Bentaleb; Feghouli, Brahimi, Djabou; Slimani.
Prediction: 3-0 to Germany
