By Rune Gjerulff @runegjerulff
Here is our preview of Saturday’s international friendly between France and Germany, including our predicted lineups.
Germany travel to Lyon on Saturday to take on France in the first of two friendlies this month, before taking on the Netherlands in Frankfurt three days later.
Julian Nagelsmann will use the games to try and get closer to the squad – and starting line-up – he wants to field at Euro 2024.
The German coach has shaken up his squad considerably, with six players receiving their first call-ups: Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (FC Bayern), Jan-Niklas Beste (1. FC Heidenheim) and Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim).
However, Pavlovic (tonsilitis) and Beste (adductor) have both been forced to pull out of the squad.
Facing a strong France side currently ranked second in the world, Nagelsmann is likely to go with a starting lineup close to his strongest, although he will have to manage without Manuel Neuer, who has withdrawn from the squad due to an injury, and Leroy Sané, who is suspended.
Maximilian Mittelstädt is in line to make his debut at left-back, playing in a back four with Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger and Joshua Kimmich.
One of the big questions is who will play alongside Toni Kroos in the middle of the park. With Joshua Kimmich expected to play at right-back and Pavlovic out, it seems to be a battle between Robert Andrich and Pascal Gross.
Kai Havertz and Niclas Füllkrug are competing for a starting place up front, with the former set to get the nod this time.
France will be missing Kingsley Coman (knee), Antonio Griezmann (ankle) and Christopher Nkunku (thigh), while Mike Maignan (knee) is doubtful.
Click here to see our predicted France vs. Germany lineups.
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