Germany play their final fixture of 2023 on Tuesday evening against Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion with Julian Nagelsmann’s side looking for an improvement following their 3-2 defeat against Turkey.
Kai Havertz played at left-back on Saturday which received criticism from Lothar Matthäus and while Nagelsmann didn’t give anything away in his pre-match press conference, he has indicated that Havertz playing in this role may not be a one-time thing, but a decision will be made after training.
Pascal Groß is expected to come into the starting lineup in place of Joshua Kimmich, alongside Ilkay Gündogan with Jonas Hofmann replacing Jonas Brandt in an attacking role. Nagelsmann also praised Florian Wirtz but stated that he wanted more from the Bayer Leverkusen player, who his enjoying an excellent season with his club as they top the Bundesliga.
Niclas Füllkrug also appears to be Germany’s undisputed No. 9, and is expected to again start against Austria.
It’s imperative that Germany bounce back against Austria, but time for experimenting with the national team is now over. Nagelsmann can’t afford to experiment as much as his predecessor, Hansi Flick, with Euro 2024 just around the corner and it’s now up to the head coach to nail down an identity.
Predicted Germany XI vs Austria – via Kicker
Kevin Trapp – Jonathan Tah, Mats Hummels, Antonio Rüdiger, Benjamin Henrichs – Pascal Groß, Ilkay Gündogan – Jonas Hofmann, Florian Wirtz – Leroy Sané, Niclas Füllkrug.
Substitutes: Oliver Baumann, Janis Blaswich; David Raum, Niklas Süle; Robert Andrich, Julian Brandt, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Grischa Prömel; Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz, Thomas Müller, Marvin Ducksch.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
