Julian Nagelsmann is about to nominate his first starting eleven as national coach. Joshua Kimmich has to pass at short notice.
Update from October 14th, 8:00 p.m.: The lineup of the German national team is here! Joshua Kimmich is out of Julian Nagelsmann’s debut due to illness. The midfield director is even leaving the USA early and will not be available for the DFB team against Mexico!
However, Kimmich will not be replaced by Leon Goretzka, but by Pascal Groß! Nagelsmann is also surprising in the right-back position: like Rudi Völler, the new national coach relies on Jonathan Tah.
Germany line-up: ter Stegen – Tah, Hummels, Rüdiger, Gosens – Groß, Gündogan – Sané, Musiala, Wirtz – Füllkrug
Kimmich probably won’t be able to play in Nagelsmann’s debut
Update from October 14th, 8:02 a.m.: Julian Nagelsmann will most likely have to do without Joshua Kimmich in his debut as national coach against the USA. “As of now he can’t play,” Nagelsmann said at the press conference before the game in Hartford.
The Bayern star’s cold was “worse in the morning and evening” than during the day, and his temperature was also slightly elevated. Apart from Kimmich, all national players are fit.
First report from October 13th:
Hartford – October 14, 2023 should, in the best case scenario, be the starting signal for a new era for the national team. On Saturday there Julian Nagelsmann his debut as national coach in the friendly against the USA. Exactly eight months before the European Championship in their own country, the DFB team is aiming to ignite nothing less than euphoria in the Federal Republic.
| Venue: | Hartford, USA |
| Stadion: | Pratt & Whitney Stadium |
| Kick-off: | 9 p.m., CEST |
ter Stegen is in goal – but who plays in front of him?
Nagelsmann will probably forgo any big experiments in his first starting eleven (all TV information about the game). Nevertheless, the new start under the ex-FCB coach is also an opportunity for all players.
But how will Nagelsmann line up? Back three? Back four? During the training sessions, the 36-year-old at least had a back four rehearsed. This is coordinated by Marc-André ter Stegen, who is the clear number one in the absence of Manuel Neuer.
Will Kimmich be fit in time for the USA game?
Before that, Nagelsmann is likely to rely on the duo Antonio Rüdiger and Mats Hummels in central defense. The national coach is unlikely to have nominated the DFB returnee for the bench. In all likelihood, Niklas Süle will play in the right-back position – also due to the lack of alternatives. Benjamin Henrichs is missing from the course due to injury. Süle’s counterpart on the left will probably be Robin Gosens.
Captain İlkay Gündoğan and Joshua Kimmich should be in the central midfield. Nagelsmann’s advocate Leon Goretzka will probably stay on the bench for now, unless Kimmich doesn’t get fit in time. The Bayern star missed training on Thursday due to a slight cold.
Müller or Füllkrug: Who does Nagelsmann rely on in the attack?
In the offensive line of three, there will probably be no way for Nagelsmann to get past the in-form Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala. Florian Wirtz, who has been in great form in Leverkusen for weeks, should have the best chance of third place. DFB newcomer Chris Führich is also said to have outsider chances.
Nagelsmann is also spoiled for choice in the storm. Classic nine? False nine? Raumdeuter Müller? The 36-year-old was happy to forego the classic striker when playing for his club, but BVB striker Niclas Füllkrug will probably be the first to play against the USA. Otherwise, Thomas Müller would also be available, who was able to impress and score in this role against France. (kk)
Expected line-up for Germany: ter Stegen – Süle, Hummels, Rüdiger, Gosens – Kimmich, Gündogan – Sané, Musiala, Wirtz – Füllkrug