WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY’S GAMES AT A GLANCE : GROUP C at Solider Field, Chicago

Germany vs. Bolivia

* TIME: 11:55 a.m. PDT.

* TV: ESPN, Univision.

* KEY MATCHUPS: On each third of the field, Germany is dominant. It has two superb strikers in Juergen Klinsmann and Rudi Voeller, a creative midfielder in Andreas Moeller and a sweeper, Lothar Matthaeus, who, in the mold of Franz Beckenbauer, is a coach on the field. The team captain was the playmaker when the Germans won in 1990.

Bolivia has only two players who are considered capable of competing at the Germans’ level, and one of them, attacking midfielder Marco Antonio Etcheverry, suffered a severe knee injury in November. He is expected to play on a limited basis. That leaves midfielder Erwin Sanchez, nicknamed “Platini” after the former French star, to lead the Bolivians against the world champions.

* OUTLOOK: The equalizer could be the heat and humidity, both forecast to be extremely high. That figures to favor Bolivia, which prefers a slow tempo that features long, methodical possessions. Under normal circumstances, the Germans would pounce with their high-pressure, physically superior defense and push forward with a quick, efficient transition game. But the conditions might force German Coach Berti Vogts to alter his strategy, particularly considering that his team, with an average age of 28 1/2, is one of the oldest in the tournament. Six players are over 30, including Matthaeus, 33, and Voeller, 34.

* OUTCOME: Germany might be old, but that also means it is experienced. Eleven of its 22 players, including seven of its projected starters, are veterans of the 1990 World Cup. They will have no difficulty altering their game plan, which will call on them to press early, take the lead and play defensively for the remainder of the afternoon to conserve energy. Like a vintage Mercedes, they do not have to impress anyone. Germany, 2-0.