Both teams have lost hope of qualifying from Group C after succumbing to favourites Argentina and the Netherlands, and are likely to be rudderless when their managers leave after their final games in Germany.

Despite the shared fate, their form on the field and spirit differ sharply.

On their first World Cup appearance, the "Elephants" conceded narrow 1-2 scorelines to two of the most experinced nations in the tournament and closely rivalled Group C's favourites in each match.

"The draw was in the end fatal to us. We played against two great teams without having lost merit," said Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who spearheaded Ivory Coast.

If they draw, they will come a creditable third after Serbia-Montenegro's goal difference suffered with the 0-6 humiliation by Argentina.

But the west Africans will have a heart to win in Munich, if only to sweeten coach Henri Michel's bitterness and seek Africa's second success after Ghana's 2-0 victory over the Czech republic.

"Everyone tells me this team plays great football. What's more important is the result. And the result was not good. We're out and that's the bottom line," said Michel, one of the most experienced managers in Germany.

"It means that Ivory Coast are still not at the level of the big teams at the World Cup," added Michel, signalling that it was likely to be his last game with Ivory Coast

His players share a sense of unfinished business in Germany

"In the next game against Serbia and Montenegro we want to try to get a win," said Arouna Kone after the second defeat at the hands of the Netherlands.

By contrast, the dissent and injury plagued Serb and Montenegrin players appeared demoralised after their drubbing by Argentina.

They failed to repeat the form that kept a virtually clean sheet in World Cup qualifying and had made them one of Europe's most incisive contenders.

The squad also suffered a severe blow with the traning injury to full back Nemanja Vidic.

Disputed coach Ilija Petkovic footed the blame for the Argentina's six goal frenzy and announced over the weekend he would not seek to renew his contract as coach once the team returns home.

Meanwhile, the press in Serbia ripped into the team after the match against two times World Cup winners Argentina, speaking of a "disgrace".

"It turned out that the difference between the wishes and the capabilities of our team at this World Cup was too big," said the Vecernje Novosti daily.

Midfielder Ivan Ergic said: "To lose 6-0 is horrible, but we were not completely fit and we have had a lot of pressure put on us by the press and the media back home.

On the field, the Serbs will be blunted without their highly fancied striker, Mateja Kezman, who was sent off against Argentina.

Teams

Ivory Coast (4-4-2)
1-Jean-Jacques Tizie; 21-Emmanuel Eboue, 4-Kolo Toure, 3-Arthur Boka, 12-Abdoulaye Meite; 5-Didier Zokora, 19-Gneri Yaya Toure, 2-Kanga Akale, 22-Romaric; 9-Arouna Kone, 14-Bakary Kone.

Serbia & Montenegro (4-4-2)
1-Dragoslav Jevric; 13-Dusan Basta, 6-Goran Gavrancic, 20-Mladen Krstajic, 3-Ivica Dragutinovic; 2-Ivan Ergic, 4-Igor Duljaj, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 18-Zvonimir Vukic; 19-Nikola Zigic, 21-Danijel Ljuboja.