Football
Nick Ames, ESPN.com writer 6y

Brazil look for modicum of revenge vs. Germany; France, Russia with something to prove

Brazil face emotional, painful reunion with Germany

Almost four years ago Germany gave Brazil a 7-1 evisceration that will scar their opponents' football psyche forever. On Tuesday, in Berlin, the Brazilians have a chance to exact a modicum of early revenge and it could be a pertinent indicator of just how complete the recovery of Tite's much-improved side has been. He has admitted the match is "emotionally important" for Brazil -- quite a statement ahead of a friendly -- and that has certainly raised the stakes. Brazil will have to be ready for a high tempo. Germany's draw with Spain was, for an hour, contested with the intensity and drama of a World Cup knock-out round game. It was the kind of match that proves the worth of these friendlies as opportunities to go toe to toe against this summer's rivals at full tilt and assess what needs to be tweaked. Leroy Sane will probably start for a rejigged home team and there will be plenty of focus on his readiness to carry the World Cup fight. Brazil, though, have the most to gain from this most difficult of reunions

Nigeria look to set down another marker

Nigeria turned a head or two when they won in Poland on Friday. Gernot Rohr's side rode their luck on occasion and were fortunate, too, to earn the penalty from which Victor Moses converted the game's only goal. But there are increasing signs that, after years of underachievement, the Super Eagles are flying once more and equipped at last to become a major power. That victory over the Poles came on the back of a 4-2 win against Argentina in November and, of course a resounding qualification for the World Cup. It will be instructive, then, to see how they fare against Serbia in London on Tuesday night. Serbia did not click in their 2-1 defeat to Morocco and are running out of time to prove they can cope with a group that includes Brazil this summer. It looks a good opportunity for Nigeria, one of the youngest sides that will play at Russia 2018, to set down another marker and raise hopes that Africa has produced another force to be reckoned with.

Russia and France both have plenty to prove

Russia and France might both feel on a hiding to nothing when they meet in St Petersburg. It was a miserable Friday for both, with the World Cup hosts blown away 3-0 by Brazil and France losing a 2-0 lead in their home defeat to Colombia. In truth, little is expected of Stanislav Cherchesov's Russia team, particularly in the light of a crippling injury list that has forced him to field an unfamiliar back line, but if they cannot pull off some sort of statement result before this summer then the mood will be among the most negative to have ever engulfed a host team. This looks a good opportunity against Didier Deschamps' side, who have conceded at least twice in five of their last 11 games and continue to look unbalanced despite their wealth of attacking talent. Deschamps was furious after what he branded an "unacceptable" second half against the Colombians; he will, likewise, sense a chance to respond against a deeply vulnerable Russia side. Defeat for either may send plans for the World Cup right up in the air.

England seek a finishing touch

Nobody connected with England was getting too carried away with their win against a poor Holland side but there were still plenty of positives. Gareth Southgate's possession-based style is imprinting itself on his players; there was more speed in some of the passing and good movement up front from Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford. But it is at the sharp end where Southgate's biggest issues lie, particularly when Harry Kane is unavailable. Sterling has not scored an international goal since October 2015, against Estonia, and more broadly there is a concern -- shared by the manager -- that England do not create enough clear chances for their forwards. They might feel confident of using their pace to greater effect against Italy, who Southgate believes will press England far more fiercely than Ronald Koeman's Dutch team did. It will be interesting to see whether England lengthen their passing game to turn the Italians around; nobody expects them to win by three or four but a performance with slightly more verve would add to the good work performed further back.

Panama aim to show strength in Switzerland

There were plenty of interested eyes on Panama when they faced Denmark on Thursday, eventually losing 1-0. Hernan Dario Gomez's side came with a reputation for physicality and they did not disappoint -- with veteran striker, Blas Perez, sent off for a late challenge on Kasper Schmeichel. On the night, that was just one of several occasions on which Panama crossed the line of legality. But they also looked a robust, well-drilled outfit that can break quickly down the flanks and will not give anybody an easy game in Russia. England and Belgium will both have been watching with interest for signs of a potential banana skin and both will particularly note the need to protect their flair players against full-blooded challenges from a side that looks keen to show it can compete against non-CONCACAF opponents. Switzerland constitute their next test, on Tuesday, and if Panama produce a similarly uncompromising performance then it will heighten the impression that they will be no pushovers in Russia.

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