How Germany could line up against Ukraine

1:56pm on Saturday 14th November 2020
By Robin Bairner

Germany remain undefeated in their four Nations League matches to date, but if they are to win Group A4, they need to pick up maximum points against Ukraine.

Joachim Low’s side are a point behind Spain, who face bottom team Switzerland on Saturday and should be heavily favoured to win that match.

Germany: Squad, FC Ratings, Matches, Formations

The 2014 World Cup winners travelled to Kyiv last month for an encounter against their weekend opponents and came away with a solid 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Matthias Ginter and Leon Goretzka.

Much of their hard work was undone with a 3-3 draw against Switzerland three days later in Cologne. On that same day, Ukraine beat Spain 1-0, so they have been warned.

There is some disagreement as to how Germany may align themselves in this match. Even the formation is up for debate, with some sources suggesting a 3-4-3 will be employed while others favour a 4-2-3-1.

Ginter and Antonio Rudiger are certain starters in front of Manuel Neuer, with Nicklas Sule the likely addition if three at the back is employed.

Equally, Leon Goretzka, Ilkay Gundogan and in-form Borussia Monchengladbach man Florian Neuhaus are all expected to play.

The debate comes in the wing-back area. Robin Gosens, recently injured, may find himself usurped by Philipp Max on the left, while Goretzka could feature in a wide right role ahead of Benjamin Henrichs.

Serge Gnabry, Timo Werner and Leroy Sane will lead the line in what is an imposing front three.

Germany squad

Goalkeepers: Neuer (Bayern Munich), Leno (Arsenal), Trapp (Frankfurt)

Defenders: Koch (Leeds), Uduokhai (Augsburg), Ginter (Monchengladbach), Tah (Leverkusen), Max (PSV), Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Sule (Bayern Munich), Rudiger (Chelsea), Stark (Hertha)

Midfielders: Neuhaus (Monchengladbach), Amiri (Leverkusen), Kroos (Real Madrid), Brandt (Dortmund), Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Mahmoud Dahoud (Dortmund)

Forwards: Werner (Chelsea), Waldschmidt (Benfica), Gnabry (Bayern Munich)