Euro 2024

What would be the possible starting XI for Germany in Euro 2024?

Sportsdunia Desk

With just a few weeks remaining until the start of the UEFA Euro 2024, Germany looks to have called up a strong squad for the tournament. Following the surprise return of Toni Kroos from retirement, Julian Nagelsmaan will now try to find a winning strategy that can set the tone for players such as Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala and Florian Writz, who will look to thrive on home turf this summer. Let’s have a look at what would be possible starting XI for Germany in Euro 2024. 

Following a devastating FIFA World Cup campaign in 2022 in Qatar, Germany have made a strong comeback recently, clinching victories against two top European teams – France and Netherlands. Now, under the stewardship of former Bayern Munich coach, Nagelsmaan, Die Mannschaft are looking like serious contenders to win the continental trophy. The UEFA Euro 2024 is going to kick-off on June 16 in Germany, offering a clear opportunity for the hosts to go all the way to the silverware with the help of home support. Germany’s Possible Starting XI in Euro 2024

What would be Germany’s possible starting XI in Euro 2024?

Euro 2024
Action during a German national team training session (Credit: Twitter)

With less than one month remaining until the whistle blows for the curtain raiser, Nagelsmaan has already announced a preliminary squad of 26 players, according to UEFA’s rule. Since taking over the charge of Germany, Hansi Flick’s successor has opted for three shapes (4-2-2-2, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1) so far, with these three formations faltering at some points. However, the two big victories over France and Holland came with a 4-2-3-1 shape, which, according to many, is going to be the German shape in the upcoming Euro. 

The return of decorated midfielder Toni Kroos has been a blessing for Nagelsmaan before heading into the Euro. Kross in the middle, alongside Joshua Kimmich or Robert Andrich will add experience and vision to the German playing style. With Musiala, Writz, and Leroy Sane shining up front, it is very easy to predict the forward line of the hosts. An in-form Kai Havertz is in contention to start ahead of the ever-green Thomas Muller, who has always been the master card for Germany for the last 10 years. 

Germany’s Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

Center-backs: Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah

Full-backs: Joshua Kimmich (right), Maximilian Mittelstadt (left)

Centre-midfielders: Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich

Wide & Attacking midfielders: Ilkay Gundogan, Florian Writz, Jamal Musiala

Forward: Kai Havertz 

Nagelsmaan couldn’t find a player in the starting XI who could control the game when the proceedings were in lightning-fast mode until Kroos reversed his retirement decision to get back into the action for his country following a string of talks with the German manager. After the Real Madrid playmaker arrived, Nagelsmaan’s worries regarding the midfield situation, that has been misfiring since 2019, had been believed to have settled. The young manager will have two options, Kimmich and Andrich to deploy alongside Kroos. As Germany have suffered time and again due to poor displays from the full-backs, especially right-backs, Kimmich might be a right-back in the summer, with Andrich featuring in the middle. 

After the surprising exclusion of Mats Hummels, who is going to play in the UEFA Champions League final in a few days after producing impressive performance throughout the season, Rudiger and Tah are the frontrunners to take the helm at the back. Ilkay Gundogan would play as a false 9 alongside Florian Writz and Jamal Musiala, who would run the proceedings in wide areas. 

Inclusion of Kai Havertz in the starting XI ahead of an in-form Niclas Fullkrug might raise a few eyebrows, but the Arsenal attacker has been in a tremendous run of form this season, and deserves a spot in the playing XI. As far as the goalkeeping position is concerned, Barcelona stopper, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will definitely be between the sticks unless his Euro journey gets hammered by any injury. His long-standing competitor, Manual Neur has not played for the national team since he sustained an injury during the Qatar World Cup in 2022. He is in Nagelsmaan’s 26-player preliminary squad, and might get some game minutes in the summer tournament.

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