MY ACCOUNT
Amid little enthusiasm back home, Hansi Flick’s Germany head to the World Cup hopeful of improving on their recent tournament displays.
The four-time champions were dumped out at the group stage four years ago and followed that up with a last-16 exit to England at Euro 2020.
But embarking on their first tournament without Joachim Low at the helm since they hosted the global showpiece in 2006, they have enough quality to return to the business end of proceedings in Qatar.
Germany’s group stage fixtures and UK kick-off times
Germany vs Japan (Wednesday, November 23, 1pm)
Spain vs Germany (Sunday, November 27, 7pm)
Costa Rica vs Germany (Thursday, December 1, 7pm)
How Germany qualified for Qatar 2022
Qualification was a walk in the park for Germany, barring a shock 2-1 defeat at home to North Macedonia early on.
They won all of their other nine games in a kind group, also containing Romania, Armenia, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Flick took over from Low after Euro 2020 and under his guidance, Germany netted 31 goals in their final seven games.
How Germany could line up
Manuel Neuer continues in goal for Germany and either Lukas Klostermann or Thilo Kehrer will line up alongside Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger and David Raum at the back.
It would not be a surprise to see Leon Goretzka or Ilkay Gundogan partner Joshua Kimmich in midfield, though Flick does have a decision to make there.
Kai Havertz will lead the line, with Leroy Sane and Thomas Muller certainties behind him and Jamal Musiala may well get the nod ahead of Serge Gnabry.
Predicted XI: Neuer; Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Goretzka, Kimmich; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Havertz
Star man: Kai Havertz
Timo Werner’s injury means Chelsea ace Kai Havertz looks set to play up front for Germany, which is not his preferred position.
But Havertz has been forced into that role at the Blues before and can shine for his country on the international stage with his talent.
For a nation who became accustomed to Miroslav Klose scoring goals for fun at tournaments, there is now added pressure on the 23-year-old.
One to watch: Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala is the one that got away for England and he looks more than ready to make his mark in Qatar.
A bit-part player at Euro 2020 just 18 months ago, nine goals and six assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances this term mean he is primed for a key role.
Musiala, 19, only has one goal and two assists in his 17 appearances for Germany, but expect that to change in the coming weeks.
The boss: Hansi Flick
As Germany boss, there is always plenty of talent at your disposal, yet 57-year-old Flick did not take over at the easiest time.
It is virtually unheard of for German sides to fail at two successive tournaments, yet the ex-Bayern Munich chief has rejuvenated his squad.
Flick emphasises the need for his charges to be a strong unit and has shown his adventurous side with the call-ups of youngsters like 17-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko.
Germany’s official 26-man World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Christian Gunter (Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
All information correct as of November 17, 2022
