Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Germany could line up for Friday’s friendly clash with Greece.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann will consider naming Antonio Rudiger, Toni Kroos, Niclas Fullkrug and Nico Schlotterbeck in his starting lineup for Friday’s friendly against Greece at Borussia-Park.
All four players missed Die Mannschaft’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine on Monday as they were granted extra time off following Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph over Borussia Dortmund two days earlier.
The German quartet are back in the mix for Friday, though, and both Rudiger and Schlotterbeck are set to compete with Waldemar Anton and Jonathan Tah for starts in central defence.
Thirty-eight-year-old Manuel Neuer is set to continue in goal, while Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich could once again be tasked with operating at right-back as Maximilian Mittelstadt battles with David Raum for the left-back spot.
Kroos, who is retiring from football after Euro 2024, could replace either Robert Andrich or Pascal Gross in centre-midfield, while captain Ilkay Gundogan and Aleksandar Pavlovic will also compete for a start in the middle of the pitch.
After watching his Germany side register just five of their 27 shots on target against Ukraine, Nagelsmann may consider rotating his attacking options on Friday. Fullkrug, who is Germany’s top scorer in the Nagelsmann era with four goals from six matches, is in contention to replace Kai Havertz as the central striker.
Havertz was joined in a front three on Monday by Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, and the latter two could retain their places in the first XI, although Leroy Sane, Chris Fuhrich and Maximilian Beier are among those hoping to force their way into Nagelsmann’s side.
Thomas Muller is another who will be pushing for a recall and he will draw level with Lukas Podolski (130) in third on Germany’s all-time appearance list if he features in some capacity against Greece.
Germany possible starting lineup: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Fullkrug
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