Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Germany could line up for Tuesday’s international friendly with Belgium.
Germany boss Hansi Flick has played down fears of an injury to Nico Schlotterbeck ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Belgium in Cologne.
The centre-back was struggling with a problem before being replaced in the dying embers of Saturday’s win over Peru, but an initial assessment showed no serious damage.
Die Mannschaft otherwise have no fitness concerns to factor in for Tuesday’s clash at the RheinEnergieStadion, but Borussia Dortmund may not be best pleased if Schlotterbeck is risked unnecessarily, especially with Bayern Munich lying in wait on April 1.
As a result, Malick Thiaw is a strong contender to come in for his senior international debut, partnering up with Matthias Ginter, who is poised to win his 50th cap for Die Mannschaft.
Despite the friendly nature of Tuesday’s contest, Marc-Andre ter Stegen should continue in goal given the calibre of opposition, as Marius Wolf and David Raum hold the fort out wide.
Emre Can was handed a rare start for his national team last time out, but Leon Goretzka should now come back in to form a recognisable engine room with Bayern teammate Joshua Kimmich.
Flick trialled a 4-2-2-2 setup for the recent win over Peru, where Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz both started in advanced roles, but the fresh legs of Serge Gnabry and Mario Gotze may now be preferred.
Niclas Fullkrug‘s first-half brace sealed a 2-0 success for Germany over their South American counterparts – taking his total to five goals in five appearances for his nation – and the Werder Bremen attacker should continue up top with Timo Werner again.
Germany possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Wolf, Ginter, Thiaw, Raum; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Gotze; Werner, Fullkrug
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