As soon as it became clear that Philippe Lahm would be reprising his Bayern Munich role as a midfielder at the World Cup, it was going to be pistols at dawn between fellow Germany midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira.
Both have been used to playing alongside each other at international level, yet both entered this summer off the backl of injury-ravaged seasons.
Now, they are in direct competition for the same starting position in Germany's three-man midfield, alongside Lahm and Toni Kroos.
Both have vitally important roles as Sky Sports Germany's Chief Football Correspondent Gernot Bauer told us on Team 33 recently.
Khedira is hugely valued by manager Joachim Low as a leader figure and Gernot explained why he is the only German player Jogi would make an exception for.
However, before the Ghana game, Gernot made a case for Schweinsteiger's inclusion, citing his role as the true heartbeat and leader of the side.
Both players have seen action in Brazil with Khedira starting against Portugal and Ghana, while Schweinsteiger began the USA game and is tipped to start against Algeria tonight.
But based on their performances so far, what do the Sqwuawka stats say about the duo?
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