The German national soccer team is going into the important game against Portugal at the European Championship without any personnel or tactical changes.
In the duel with the European champions this Saturday (6 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship, in the ARD and on MagentaTV), national coach Joachim Löw relies on the eleven starting players who lost to France in the first game of the tournament on Tuesday.
Tobias Rabe
Responsible editor for Sport Online.
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Manuel Neuer is the captain in goal.
Before that, Löw formed a chain of three with Mats Hummels in the center, Antonio Rüdiger to the left and Matthias Ginter to the right.
On the sides in midfield, Joshua Kimmich (right) and Robin Gosens (left) play again.
Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan should direct the game in the center.
Before that, Thomas Müller, Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry play.
Leon Goretzka is sitting on the bench for the first time after his hamstring torn and, according to Löw, is an ideal option for a substitute.
Not in the 23-player line-up are Lukas Klostermann (torn muscle), Jonas Hofmann (knee) and Jamal Musiala.
The 18-year-old Bayern professional had missed a number of units in preparation due to muscular problems.
The offensive player also had to take a seat in the stands against France.
After the 0: 1 at the start against world champions France, the German team is already under pressure. It is true that she could possibly qualify as one of the top four third in the group stage for the round of 16. But if they lost again to Portugal, the pressure before the final game against Hungary on Wednesday would be immense. After all, the European Championship forecast gives the German team a good chance of winning.
Portugal have to do without attacker and 126 million euro man Joao Felix. Atlético Madrid's star player is suffering from muscular problems, the Portuguese association said on Saturday in response to an AFP request. Also absent is Nuno Mendes, who is also suffering from a muscle injury. The 21-year-old Joao Felix had taken part in the final training of the Iberians in Munich on Friday.
The starting position:
Löw would have liked to have done without this déjà vu. As in the 2018 World Cup, the national team is quickly under pressure after an opening defeat. In contrast to the Russia debacle, however, another defeat against the Portuguese, at least on Saturday evening, would not mean the tournament is over. Then it would have to be calculated properly until the group final, whether it can still be enough for a round of 16 ticket as one of the four best third in the group. But there is also an easier way. With a victory, Germany would have everything in its own hands again. Even winning the group would still be possible.
The approach:
The tactics are changed. This was announced by Löw. More urge to move forward and stay more consistent in the opposing half. This is what the national coach demands of his offensive forces. Löw did not comment specifically on the staff before the game, only the line-up shortly beforehand now revealed its secrets. But one thing was already clear: After his injury break, Leon Goretzka should provide an energy package for at least the second half. The focus is on Joshua Kimmich. Christian Kamp analyzes the role of the key figure in his text. And will it still be Leroy Sané's EM? Michael Horeni took a closer look at these people.