Victories over France and the Netherlands have changed the mood around the men’s football team. DW fills you in on where Germany go from here as they look toward their opening Euro 2024 match against Scotland.
Do Germany have any more friendlies ahead of the Euros?
Indeed, they do. Their opponents for their final two friendlies are Ukraine and Greece. Germany host Ukraine, who will also be at the tournament having qualified through the playoffs, in Nuremberg on June 3. Four days later, they face Greece in Mönchengladbach.
The choice of opponents was deliberate, as Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann explained on the German FA’s website (DFB.de).
“We have to prepare for different styles of play and systems with a view to the European Championship and our group opponents. Ukraine and Greece are two combative, passionate teams — we’ve had our difficulties with opponents of this type recently,” he said.
Who could be in the squad despite being left out in March?
Leroy Sane will almost certainly return to the squad after serving his red card suspension.
“If he’s healthy, we won’t do without him because he’s simply a super player,” Nagelsmann told a press conference after the international break.
Promising Bayern youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic (out with tonsillitis) and Heidenheim’s Jan-Niklas Beste (adductor muscle) were ruled out at short notice despite being called up for the two matches. They remain in the mix for Euro 2024.
A muscle injury forced Manuel Neuer to miss the France and Netherlands games, but Nagelsmann has confirmed he will be his No. 1 goalkeeper for the tournament.
There is also good news for the players who were in that squad.
“If everyone stays healthy, we definitely won’t swap out 10 players in the summer,” the coach told reporters. “Not even five, actually. Maybe one or two.”
Courtesy of DW