It's finally time to start the tourney for the German National Team. As the image shows, it's a brand new opponent, on and off the World Cup stage. Germany enters the World Cup with plenty of question marks despite an impressive run of 9 wins from its last 10 matches. It remains difficult to assess whether the team truly belongs among the tournament favorites. The match against Caribbean nation Curaçao is widely viewed as a favorable opening fixture. However, goal difference could prove crucial in determining the final standings of the group, and Germany will be keen to secure a convincing result from the very start. There are still a few question marks surrounding Germany’s starting lineup. While most positions appear to be settled, it remains unclear whether Manuel Neuer will start between the posts. Julian Nagelsmann also has several options to choose from in attack and on the flanks. My prediction: after scoring with a header in the warm-up match against the United States, Kai Havertz will lead the line from the start. Nagelsmann is also likely to rely on David Raum’s delivery from wide areas, while giving Manuel Neuer some much-needed match sharpness against a manageable opponent. I expect a sluggish start, but Germany’s fitness, experience, and overall quality should eventually make the difference. It may not be a classic, but I see Germany securing a comfortable 4–0 victory. What do you think?
Not to be pedantic but its 9 wins in a row for Germany, not 10. 10 matches ago was the loss to Slovakia. Looking at this game from an historical perspective, i think it gives Germany a shot to possibly pass Brazil for most World Cup goals in history. Currently Brazil has scored 237 World Cup goals to Germany's 232, though it will also depend on how Brazil does in their opening match against Morocco. Maybe a 7 goal win for Germany could be enough. Interesting how huge the gap is to 3rd place, Argentina are a wopping 80 goals behind Germany.
Voraussichtliche Aufstellung Neuer - Kimmich, Tah, N. Schlotterbeck, Brown - F. Nmecha, Pavlovic - L. Sané, Musiala, Wirtz - Havertz Kicker, Wonder if Raum will start over Brown ?
The deciding factor for Raum vs. Brown is defending on a speedy opponent left winger. For Ivory Coast, Brown will be used to defend against Yan Diamonde(sp). I think the other group games could be a toss up.
maybe 5-1 for me. Neuer with a bicycle kick into his own net. If Karl had been fit probably would have stretched it out to 7-1. The World Cup record is a 9 goal margin and 10 goals is the most scored in a single game. German record is of course the 8-0 vs the Saudi's in 2002. Germany probably could have slayed all those records if they didnt ease up in the 7-1 Brazil beatdown.
Any result below 5 goals will be frustrating. I think it could end up with 7 goals unless if Nagelsmann decides to slow down and rest his stars for the next games to avoid injuries ( yesterday south Africa were very reckless in their tackles and very agressive so this is one of the issues we could face against Curacau).
yeah agreed imagine we beat them 2-1 only - so hope the TEAM takes it serious _ i guess if Germany leads substantially at half time we will see many changes and everyone taking it a bit easier for yellow cards and injuries.
I don't know.. most of their players are Dutch based with a good to decent drill and education. They are one of the most scoring teams in the Caribbean. It's a minnow of course but considering the day time of the match, the rather unusual artificial green (you could see that a lot against the USA, passes too short or too long) and a highly motivated team. I would be satisfied with any clear win without goals against and without injured players.
Yeah, I think that's a reasonable assessment. From what I remember of the Scotland game they were pretty fearless in gegenpressing and have decent speed up front. They were leading Scotland until the red card undid their efforts. Overconfidence could kill us.
I'd like a blowout win with a clean sheet as a cushion, because Ivory Coast will be tougher, and Ecuador in particular will be especially difficult due to their ironclad defending.
Yeah also hoping for a solid 5/6-0 as I believe we might beat ivory in a very close match - like 2-1 and will probably as we have advanced by then get a draw against Ecuador . Can’t remember if germany has ever won all three group games.
Nagelsmann has confirmed that Neuer, Brown and Musiala will all start. On the Klopp/Müller vs Matthäus discussion around Jamal Musiala: "Jamal is ready for the starting eleven. He still has a few steps to take – but he can only take them if we let him play and give him game time. He simply hasn't had that rhythm for a long time, but thankfully he's been playing more with us recently. We have complete faith in him. I absolutely agree with Lothar on that. We have to give him playing time, and he'll get that [against Curaçao]"