An Impenetrable Berlin Wall
England face Germany, the World Cup champions, at the weekend when they play an international friendly in Berlin. On their last visit to Berlin, back in 2008, the England national team emerged victorious, courtesy of goals from Matthew Upson and John Terry.
Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 preparations have been hampered somewhat by an injury to Joe Hart – the Manchester City stopper will miss the game due to a calf injury. Hart’s absence does, however, mean that the England boss can gain some vital clues, as to, who should be his back-up goalkeeper in France.
Jack Butland started the season in impressive fashion and has proven to be a vital cog for a Stoke City team that sits in 8th place in the English Premier League table. The Potters’ keeper is averaging 3.3 saves per game and has every chance of securing his 4th cap in Berlin.
However, Fraser Forster’s return from injury in January has coincided with a run of form that has seen the Saints climbing to 7th place in the table. The Southampton shop-stopper has kept 6 clean sheets in those 11 appearances, highlighting exactly why he earned his nickname.
Back in 2012 Fraser Forster put in an incredible display for Celtic against Barcelona that saw him dubbed as ‘La Gran Muralla’ – the Great Wall by the Spanish press. It was a historic night for the Glasgow side as they defeated Barcelona 2-1, with Forster being almost impenetrable, until finally being beaten when Lionel Messi tapped home in injury time.
Forster pulled of some unforgettable saves that night, so if he gets the nod in Berlin, and can put in a performance of equal measure, he will more than likely cement his place as back-up keeper to Joe Hart for this Summer’s showpiece event.
Will Hodgson opt for Butland or Forster against the Germans?
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