Source: Team_Talk
Germany to keep Klose eye on Gerrard
Miroslav Klose thinks England captain Steven Gerrard will be a greater threat to Germany than Wayne Rooney in Sunday's World Cup battle.[LNB] Germany and England are preparing to meet in the last 16 of the World Cup on Sunday afternoon in South Africa as they renew their long-standing rivalry.[LNB]Ahead of kick-off there has been plenty of speculation over the form and fitness of Rooney, who is viewed as essential to the Three Lions' hopes of success.[LNB]But Klose, who will return from suspension for the meeting with England, thinks Liverpool skipper Gerrard is just as influential as Rooney. [LNB]"I personally like Steven Gerrard as a player," Klose told the Daily Star Sunday. "In many ways I see him as more important than Wayne Rooney as he can create everything for England in the middle of the park."[LNB]Klose also claims that Germany have not prepared specific tactics for Rooney. [LNB]"I know a lot of hope is on Wayne Rooney for the England team but we won't give him any special attention," he added. [LNB]"Yes he is a good player and we will mark him like we would any good player, but we won't be doubling-up on him or anything like that."[LNB]Klose is not getting carried away by the rivalry between the two nations, adding: "There is history with England and we are all aware of that.[LNB]"But I look at it as a last-16 match that gets us one game closer to the World Cup final.[LNB]"I see them (England) as an obstacle that I need to get over in order to get my hands on the World Cup."[LNB]Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger is concerned that Germany will struggle against England due to the injury-enforced absence of Michael Ballack.[LNB]He said: "What a major blow it has been losing someone of Michael's stature and prominence on our side.[LNB]"It's a blow to Michael and a blow to all of Germany. The man has got it all. The quality, the drive and respect of all the dressing room.[LNB]"We will miss him so much, particularly against England. He was all fried up for this tournament."