The assistant coach of the German national team, Hansi Flick, insists that the Germans will be playing for a win against the USA on Thursday.
The Germans currently sit top of Group G, a point clear of their opponents on Thursday, after a win and a draw from their first two games.
A draw in the game would see both teams progress from the group, guaranteeing top spot for the Germans.
A win for either Germany or the USA would give Ghana and Portugal, who face each other in the other game, a chance of progressing from the group.
Flick however was quick to deny any suggestion that an agreement to play out a mutually beneficial draw might be reached.
“We want to beat the USA to finish the group stages top and play in Porto Alegre,” he said.
“We looked at the 90 minutes against Ghana to see what we liked and the things we need to improve.
“We want the team to react in a more clever fashion and cut out the space behind when the opposition counter-attack us.
“We have a few things to iron out and we have enough quality to create chances, but we have to close down the space behind.”
Flick hinted that the Germans would line up as they did against Ghana with captain Philip Lahm to remain in midfield while Bastian Schweinsteiger and goalscorer Miroslav Klose are set to start from the bench.
“Miro and Basti gave us good options, after going 2-1 down, the team put their foot to the floor to equalise,” he said.
“We have a clear plan and we know exactly what each player can do.
“We wanted to beat Ghana, but we were pleased with the way the players reacted even though things didn’t go exactly how we had wanted them to.”
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana