Thomas Muller ended his first match of the World Cup tournament with a hat trick, and the second with a bloodied face.
The German forward thinks the best scenario for the third game would be for his team to beat the United States and win Group G.
Muller needed five stiches next to his right eye after a collision late in a 2-2 draw with Ghana on Saturday and the bruise and cut are still very visible.
He said he’ll play against the United States, although he won’t be without pain.
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“Pain-free is a big word, but I’ll be able to play without pain killers,” Muller said.
Unless Germany coach Joachim Loew pulls a surprise and reshuffles his attack, Muller will be the point man in Thursday’s match against the Americans in Recife. A draw would allow both teams to advance ahead of Portugal and Ghana.
“We want to play well, try not to concede goals and win the group, but you have to be very cautious,” Muller said Tuesday, before the German team’s departure for Recife. “The tournament can be over very quickly.”
Germany are likely to progress even if they lose, because they have a plus-4 goal difference and are equal on four points with the United States. Ghana and Portugal have one point each and meet in a match at Brasilia.
Muller scored three goals in Germany’s 4-0 opener against Portugal and provided an assist in the match against Ghana. He was top scorer at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with five goals and three assists.
With Loew preferring to play without a true striker, the Bayern Munich forward remains Germany’s top attacking option. Even if Loew decided to use veteran striker Miroslav Klose, Muller would be likely to start, on the right wing.
“The way we play is to switch positions a lot and create space for others,” Muller said. “I never really had a fixed position anyway, I’ve played on the right wing for the national team before, I would have no problem doing it again.”
Brazil’s star Neymar is one goal ahead of Muller in this tournament, but the German player says he is not seeking the title of top scorer.
“I already have that from the last time. I want to win the big one, the World Cup title. If I score, so much the better,” Muller said.
Muller is hard to figure for opponents because of his unorthodox style, but he also contributes in other ways. “He is very positive, he is important for the mood in the team,” assistant coach Hansi Flick said.
Jurgen Klinsmann, the current coach of the US team, brought Muller into the senior squad when he coached Bayern. Under Klinsmann’s successor Louis van Gaal, Muller became a regular.
“Muller always plays,” said the coach who was famous for rotating players.
Despite his link to Klinsmann and many other bonds between the German and American teams, Muller dismissed any notion of a deal to settle for a convenient draw.
“We are not playing against Klinsmann,” he said, “we are playing against the United States.”
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Specs
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
