Rather than worry about revenge, Germany is concerned with survival.
The Germans likely need a victory Wednesday in Johannesburg over Group D leader Ghana to advance while the Africans only need a draw to move into the knockout phase.
Ghana has four points, Germany and Serbia have three and Australia one heading into the final day of play in Group D. The Serbs and Australians also play at the same time in Nelspruit.
Germany's 1-0 loss to Serbia on Friday left those teams even, and Ghana took the group lead the next day with a 1-1 draw against the Socceroos.
This matchup features Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng and his half brother, Germany's Jerome Boateng. Ghana's Boateng figured to be targeted since it was his tackle in the FA Cup final with Portsmouth that knocked Germany captain Michael Ballack out of the World Cup with an injured ankle.
"We are playing Ghana and not Kevin-Prince Boateng," Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff said. "Feelings about one person have to be set aside."
The three-time champions have never gone home after the group stage.
They will have to replace striker Miroslav Klose, who was sent off in the loss to Serbia. Brazilian-born Cacau will likely get the nod, although he says he has not received any indication that he will be in the lineup.
"But if I get to play from the start, I will try to help the team with my strengths - speed, ball control and finishing," Cacau said.
Germany coach Joachim Loew was on hand for Ghana's draw with Australia, and is confident Die Mannschaft will advance. A draw will also be enough if Serbia loses or ties Wednesday.
"It is obvious that we are going to be under more pressure now, but we will make the round of 16," Loew said.
Ghana was missing injured captain John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah for Saturday's match, and both central defenders may return. That area was a problem against the Socceroos, with fill-ins Lee Addy and Jonathan Mensah turning in sub-par performances.
"Instead of two defenders we had to use two young players and we got off to a bad start, conceding a goal," coach Milan Rajevac said.
While a draw will definitely send Ghana to the knockout phase for the second straight World Cup, it will also advance with a loss if the other Group D match ends in a draw.
The Ghanaians are looking to get their attack untracked. The Black Stars have yet to score from open play, getting two goals on penalty kicks from Asamoah Gyan.
"Both goals are from penalties, so we have a problem," Rajevac said. "But we made a lot of opportunities to score. We'll try to redeem ourselves against Germany."
The only previous meeting between these nations came in a 1993 friendly. Germany did all its scoring in the second half of a 6-1 victory.
