Preview | Luxembourg vs Germany: Die Mannschaft look to secure a place at the World Cup

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After a successful international break in October, Germany are now back in control of their World Cup qualifying group and can get the job done against Luxembourg should things go their way elsewhere on the night. If not, it’s a one-off game against Slovakia a few days later to see who automatically qualifies for next year’s World Cup. 

Luxembourg vs Germany

In the reverse fixture, Germany breezed past their landlocked neighbours 4-0. Having lost all of their matches, Luxembourg are just playing for pride in this qualifying group, which should only benefit Julian Nagelsmann’s side even more. 

For Germany, it could be a case of getting as many goals as they can. Currently tied on points with Slovakia, but with a slightly better goal difference, if they rack up the goals on Friday evening, a draw would also be enough to qualify when they face Slovakia on the final matchday. 

Should Slovakia lose against Northern Ireland when Germany plays Luxembourg, Die Mannschaft will qualify with a win on Friday. 

Team News

Julian Nagelsmann has had a couple of players forced out of this international window with injury, which has also presented opportunities for others. 

Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri and Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck have both withdrawn through injury. In place of Amiri, Julian Nagelsmann has decided to give a first call-up to RB Leipzig’s Assan Ouédraogo (19). 

Ouédraogo has been in fine form for his club, starting the last seven league fixtures under RB head coach Ole Werner. The Mülheim-native has also scored two goals and registered two assists in his last seven starts. Nagelsmann made clear that he considered Ouédraogo a direct replacement for Amiri, whom the coach considers an “offensive-minded” No. 6.

There was also a return to the squad for Galatasaray winger Leroy Sané, whom Nagelsmann said was impressed with his performances for the Turkish club. 

Why No Angelo Stiller? 

One of the biggest questions from Nagelsmann’s squad was the absence of VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, who has been in fine form for some time and even linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past summer. 

“We have [Borussia Dortmund’s] Felix Nmecha in the number six position, who is having a very good season, and [Bayern Munich’s] Aleksandar Pavlovic, who plays for what is certainly the most stable team in Europe right now,” Nagelsmann said at a Monday DFB press conference. “I see them as being just a tick ahead. We also have sixes Nadiem Amiri and Leon Goretzka, who are a bit more offensive.”

Whilst there have been a few changes, Germany will expect to qualify either on Friday or Monday on home soil. Anything else would be a huge embarrassment for the four-time world champions. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen