Klinsmann risks Ballack in quest for top spot

Another marquee occasion for Fifa tonight as the mighty host nation take to the field in the Olympiastadion intent on leaving Group A as winners.

Jürgen Klinsmann has been clear about the importance he has placed on this game. He has stated he will risk Michael Ballack, who is on a yellow card and must proceed with caution lest he miss the first second-round match.

"After missing the opener, it is important for Michael to find his rhythm," added assistant Joachim Low.

"But we will speak to him to make sure he doesn't commit any unnecessary fouls."

It could also be that, after watching Ecuador's assured deconstruction of Poland's workmanlike defence and their rampant win against Costa Rica, Klinsmann realises he cannot afford the luxury of letting the team captain sit this one out.

It is a big 90 minutes because Ballack will tackle and few Germans will need reminding he sat out the 2002 World Cup final on a yellow card after scoring the goal that got them there.

Ecuador's achievement in making it to the last 16 has been a good advertisement for the state of South American football. Belying the old cliché that they can play ball only in the high-altitude grounds of their own country, Ecuador have been superb value here.

Luiz Suarez, their Colombian coach, has brought to the set-up a combination of hard work, organisation and a preacher's sensibility, creating a bond among his players by reading to them from his favourite book of fables.

Southampton fans must be looking on in amazement at the confident, decisive presence of Agustin Delgado, a striker who was an unmitigated disaster under Gordon Strachan, so much so that the fiery Scot famously quipped he had more important matters on his mind than Delgado - like finishing the yoghurt he had brought for his lunch.

Delgado could not fit in at Southampton (he managed one goal in two and a half years) but four years on he has been named man of the match in Ecuador's wins over Costa Rica and Poland.

Ivan Kaviedes will probably partner Delgado up front, with Carlos Tenario expected to be rested because of an ankle injury. Other than that, Suarez's team should run along expected lines, with veteran defender Ian Hurtado leading from the last line.

Germany had posted worries about Christophe Metzelder, with Robert Huth mentioned as a likely replacement, but it is believed the big Dortmund centre half should be fit enough to start.

If he does, he is likely to have a busy night, given Ecuador's carefree, attacking form.

Scoring at the other end is the more pressing concern for Klinsmann. He will almost certainly turn to the dynamic young winger David Odonkor once more, but although Oliver Neuville was the unlikely hero against Poland, the manager will be hoping his first-choice strikers get off the mark tonight.

Probable line-ups

Germany (4-4-2)

Lehmann; Friedrich, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm; Schneider, Frings, Ballack, Schweinsteiger; Podolski, Klose. Coach: Jürgen Klinsmann.

Ecuador (4-5-1)

Mora; de la Cruz, Hurtado, Espinoza, Reasco; Mendez, Tenorio, Castillo, Valencia; Delgado, Kaviedes. Coach: Luis Suarez.

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

Kick-off: 3.0pm

Venue: Berlin

On TV: RTÉ 2, BBC 1 and UTV