Preview: Switzerland v Germany
When the German national team take on neighbours Switzerland in Bern tonight, goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will be under close scrutiny.
His former rival Oliver Kahn backs him, and German national team coach Joachim Löw is a firm believer in his capabilities. Still Jens Lehmann is under pressure when Germany take on Switzerland in Bern tonight (20:45).
Difficult situation
"It's a difficult sitaution, there's no denying that. Jens didn't play that well in Vienna, but he still has the coach's confidence. But he has to justify that in Bern, and he knows that", national team manager Oliver Bierhoff explained.
Lehmann, who made several blunders in Germany's 3-0 win in Austria in February, stays tight-lipped these days. "First of all I'll play the European Championships. Then it depends on whether I get a good offer. In that case I might play on for two years. If not, I might hang up my boots", Lehmann told "FIFA.com".
Triple jubilee
Löw, who is looking forward to his 20th match in charge as well as Germany's 800th international - with 50 of those against Switzerland - demands that Lehmann has to "rediscover that dominance and direct the team with loudness, as we're used to when he keeps goal."
If Lehmann fails to do so there might be an opportunity for fellow goalkeepers Timo Hildebrand or Robert Enke, but even a Euro call-up for youngsters Rene Adler (Leverkusen) or Manuel Neuer (Schalke) could still be a possibility.
Huth out injured
Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich will play at the heart of the defence with returnee Robert Huth denied by injury, and Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen play at full back.
Bernd Schneider and Bastian Schweinsteiger will get a chance in the midfield led by captain Michael Ballack, with Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez expected to play up front.
German line-up as expected:
1 Lehmann - 16 Lahm, 3 Arne Friedrich, 17 Mertesacker, 2 Jansen - 19 Schneider, 13 Ballack, 15 Hitzlsperger, 7 Schweinsteiger - 32 Gomez, 11 Klose.
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