KAZAN ARENA (Russia): Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil returned to the starting line-up but  was left out as Germany look to avoid an embarrassing World Cup exit at the hands of South Korea in their Group F decider on Wednesday.

Midfielders Khedira and Ozil both started for Joachim Loew’s defending champions in their opening 1-0 defeat by Mexico, before being dropped to the bench for a crucial 2-1 win over Sweden. Mueller, who performed well below expectations in Germany’s opening two games, was left on the bench as Loew handed Schalke 04’s Leon Goretzka his first World Cup start.

Sitting second in their group, three points behind Mexico and ahead of Sweden on head-to-head, Germany needs to beat the Koreans by two clear goals at the Kazan Arena to be sure of reaching the last 16.

With Jerome Boateng suspended following his sending-off against Sweden, Mats Hummels returns to the center of defense alongside Niklas Suele — the Bayern defender also earning his maiden World Cup start. Jonas Hector keeps the left-back position he was given for Sweden, with Joshua Kimmich starting his third straight game at right-back.

Khedira replaces Sebastian Rudy in midfield after Rudy was sidelined with a broken nose suffered against the Swedes and will partner Toni Kroos, who hit Germany’s last-gasp winner against Sweden. The German attack is led by RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who will be looking to score his first goals of the tournament.