Germany’s Miroslav Klose performs a flip as he celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Ghana at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Saturday, June 21, 2014. AP
RIO DE JANEIRO — Germany recalled veteran striker Miroslav Klose and dropped center back Per Mertesacker among a slew of changes for its World Cup quarterfinal match against France on Friday.
Thomas Mueller drops back to the wing to accommodate Klose, who gets another chance to break the World Cup scoring record of 15 goals that he currently shares with Brazil great Ronaldo.
Mats Hummels returns at center back in place of Mertesacker and Philipp Lahm moves to right back instead of center midfield, where Sami Khedira will partner Bastian Schweinsteiger.
France coach Didier Deschamps made two changes from the team which beat Nigeria 2-0 in the second round, bringing back fit-again Mamadou Sakho for Laurent Koscielny in central defense and Antoine Griezmann for Olivier Giroud in attack.
Karim Benzema is back in his preferred position as center forward.
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France: Hugo Lloris; Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Mamadou Sakho, Patrice Evra; Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi; Mathieu Valbuena, Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema.
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Hoewedes; Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller; Miroslav Klose.
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