All 26 players are fit before the DFB team’s opening game against Curacao. Julian Nagelsmann has the full choice. At the press conference he settled on some shaky positions.
So he secured Jamal Musiala the starting eleven place in the ten position against Curacao on Sunday (7 p.m. CEST, live on Erste and at sportschau.de). “Jamal still has a few steps to take. But he can only take them if we let him play. We trust him completely.”said Nagelsmann before the opening game in Houston.
Magic foot Musiala is still looking for his best form after his serious injury a year ago. “In order to play a really good World Cup, we need Jamal in top condition”said Nagelsmann and assured: “He has improved from training to training.” Musiala’s personality also sparked a debate among experts.
Brown is given priority over space, Neuer is ready for a comeback
Nathaniel Brown gets – as already indicated in the last tests – preference over David Raum. Two days before his 23rd birthday, he will be in the DFB team’s starting line-up as a left full-back: “He will play and start in the beautiful stadium”revealed Nagelsmann.
The final go-ahead was in the goal Manuel Neuer. “Manu will start”said Nagelsmann. The 40-year-old Neuer has overcome his calf problems and will start his fifth World Cup tournament with his 125th international match 709 days after retiring from the national team.
The only question mark on the right wing?
Even if there were no explicit guarantees from the national coach for the other positions, the following applies: the starting eleven before the first group game was rarely as clear as it was in this tournament.
Unless something unforeseen happens, Brown will be in the back four with the central defender duo Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah and Joshua Kimmich play in the right-back position. Everything comes together on the double six Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlovic out. Leon Goretzka initially has to take a back seat.
Offensively – after Nagelsmann has decided on Musiala – three out of four places are probably taken for the time being. On the left wing is Florian Wirtz start, right at the front would be anything but a starting eleven Kai Havertz a big surprise. The situation on the right wing seems somewhat more open. Leroy Sane has the best chances. Jamie Leweling also has a chance, sports show expert Almut Schult would like to see Assan Ouédraogo replace him.