Adept at fighting their way back into a game they may be, but can the Mexicans beat a decent side? If they can, there's been little evidence of it so far. It's a problem Manuel Lapuente must remedy ahead of this afternoon's clash in Montpellier and it's difficult to see how he's going to do it.

Especially without Jesus Ramirez, the left-sided midfielder who inspired all three of the group stage comebacks.

Ramirez is suspended after being sent off against the Dutch. There were just two minutes left on the clock when he gave the referee a little too much lip and Lapuente now must cope with the consequences.

The Mexican coach has so far attempted to keep to a fairly steady team, with six players featuring throughout all three games, but he must now tinker with his midfield, where the expected introduction of veteran Jaime Ordiales looks a very unfavourable swap indeed.

The Germans, on the other hand, look to have everybody to choose from, with Thomas Hassler almost certain to have recovered from the achilles tendon problem he picked up in the Iran game.

Having done well in that match, Hassler is expected to start again ahead of Andy Moller.

But the bigger question mark hangs over the sweeper's position, with Berti Vogts, critical of Lothar Matthaus's first-half performance on Thursday, under pressure to play Olaf Thon in his place.

Vogts said he wouldn't play the two of them again.

Matthaus may just get the nod and Jens Jeremies should return to midfield, but Vogts is unlikely to make changes out in the wider positions despite the dismal tally of crosses his team has managed to produce for Oliver Bierhoff in the centre.

Germany (possible): Koepke, Kohler, Matthaus, Worns; Heinrich, Jeremies, Hassler, Helmer, Tarnat, Klinsmann, Bierhoff.

Mexico (possible): Campos, Pardo, Suarez, Davino, Luna, Ordiales, Villa, Aspe, Palaez, Hernandez, Blanco.

Referee: Manuel Melo Pereira (Portugal).