Captain Joshua Kimmich returns to the starting line-up of the German national football team for the decisive World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
After his ankle capsular injury, the Munich player will be wearing number 6 in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team for today’s encounter (8.45 p.m./live ticker at sportschau.de) in Leipzig.
Schlotterbeck is also fit again
Kimmich suffered the injury during training in Wolfsburg last week and missed the qualifying game in Luxembourg (2-0). Nagelsmann had already appeared optimistic before the final training session on Sunday. “Anyone who knows Joshua knows that he doesn’t like saying no to this game. So I assume he can play.”the national coach said.
In addition to Kimmich, Nico Schlotterbeck is also returning to the four-time world champion’s squad after his foot injury and Karim Adeyemi after his yellow card suspension – Schlotterbeck, like Kimmich, is in the starting line-up. Said El Mala had already traveled to the U21 team on Saturday. A draw against Slovakia is enough for the DFB selection to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. However, the first leg in Bratislava in September was lost 2-0.
The German starting eleven
Baumann – Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum – Goretzka, Pavlovic – Sané, Gnabry, Wirtz – Woltemade