Loew set to experiment against Argentina

Germany’s players are looking to put European Championship disappointment behind them as quickly as possible. Germany were knocked out after a 2-1 defeat to Italy in the semifinal. Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler should start in place of Neuer,who pulled out of the game Sunday citing a hip injury,Toni Kroos will line up beside Khedira in midfield,and Reus will hope to show why Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund paid Borussia Moenchengladbach (euro) 17.5 million ($21.59 million) for him.

Schalke’s 18-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler will also be given a chance to shine after being omitted from the Euro squad. Lazio striker Miroslav Klose will likely start in place of the injured Gomez,giving the 34-year-old another chance to close the gap on all-time topscorer Gerd Mueller with 68. Coach Alejandro Sabella has the enviable problem of deciding who would best partner his captain up front — Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero or Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Deschamps’ new rules

La Havre: New France coach Didier Deschamps expects “exemplary’’ behavior from his players ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Uruguay,which will be his first match in charge. Deschamps has made his point by leaving out defensive midfielder Yann M’Vila and winger Hatem Ben Arfa on disciplinary grounds after their behavior during Euro 2012. Midfielder Samir Nasri and winger Jeremy Menez won’t play against Uruguay. Nasri is serving a three-match suspension for his expletive-laced tirade at a journalist during Euro 2012,while Menez is out for one game for behaving inappropriately toward goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

In another unexpected move,the France coach brought back Lille midfielder Rio Mavuba,who last played for France five years ago. Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny pulled out of the France squad with a calf injury on Monday,leaving Deschamps with just three defenders: the uncapped Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa,Raphael Varane and Mamadou Sakho. Uruguay will be without Napoli striker Edinson Cavani and Liverpool playmaker Luis Suarez,who have only just linked up with their clubs following the Olympics.

Ibrahimovic doubtful

STOCKHOLM: Brazil begins its journey to the 2014 World Cup with a friendly against Sweden. The match — the last to be played at Stockholm’s Rasunda stadium — offers a chance for coach Mano Menezes to return home from Europe on the back of a win. Brazil is bringing most of the players in the squad that lost the final 2-1 to Mexico,but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a doubt for the Swedes. The Paris Saint-Germain striker’s right foot is swollen after a knock during the team’s French league opener Saturday against Lorient.

Most of Brazil’s Olympic squad is in Stockholm,though Paulo Henrique Ganso,Bruno Uvini and left back Marcelo are missing.