Euro 2016 Preview - Germany

Team: Germany

Manager: Joachim Löw

Group: C

Other teams in group: Northern Ireland, Poland and Ukraine

THE SQUAD

Germany can once again boast one of the strongest squads going into an international tournament as manager Joachim Low aims to guide Germany to a first UEFA European Championship since 1996.

Low has been in charge for the previous two Euros where Germany were runners-up in 2008 and semi-finalists in 2012, were they crashed out to a Mario Balotelli inspired Italian side.

This time Germany goes into the tournament as World Champions and Low has named a squad not too different to those who lifted the World Cup trophy in Rio de Janeiro two years ago.

Former captain Phillip Lahm and defensive stalwart Per Mertesacker were the only two major names to retire following that tournament enabling Low to select from a plethora of world champions.

On the injury front, the Borussia Dortmund pairing of Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus will miss out. Gundogan was expected to play a massive role in the German midfield so is a big loss for Joachim Low. Reus, on the other hand was included in the provisional squad, however, he is struggling physically and will miss out on a major international tournament once again after also being omitted from the 2014 World Cup squad through a devastating ankle injury.

Manuel Neuer, the world’s best goalkeeper currently playing the game according to many, is expected to don the number one shirt with Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno and Barcelona’s Andre ter Stegan providing quality backup if the Bayern Munich stopper is to pick up any knocks or suspensions.

In defence, Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng will partner his brand new club teammate Mats Hummels at the centre of defence. Other defenders named in the final 23 man squad include Liverpool’s versatile Emre Can, Jonas Hektor of Cologne, Schalke’s Benedikt Howedes, Shkodran Mustafi of Spanish side Valencia and Antonio Rudiger who currently plies his trade with Roma in the Italian Serie A.

The focal point of this German squad will certainly be within its’ midfield with global stars such as Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and World Cup winning goalscorer Mario Gotze all available for selection. Joining them will be the exciting Julian Draxler who starred for Wolfsburg throughout their Bundesliga and Champions League campaigns this season. Manchester United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger has also made the cut despite a lacklustre season hampered by injuries.

Up front, Beskitas’ Mario Gomez is the only recognised out-and-out centre forward named in the squad. Bayern’s Thomas Muller, however, is most likely to lead the forward line as he revels in a German system where he operates just in front of a packed midfield. His goal-scoring tally in major tournaments is also to be admired as he netted five in both the 2014 and 2010 World Cups.

The squad in full: 

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Emre Can (Liverpool), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia), Antonio Rudiger (Roma)

Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Leroy Sane (Schalke), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Besiktas), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray), Andre Schurrle (Wolfsburg)

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Going into the qualification campaign as World Champions meant many expected Germany to breeze through qualifying Group D, however, that wasn’t the case as Germany endured what can only be described as a ‘stop-start’ journey to topping the group.

They opened their campaign with a Muller double seeing off a dogged Scotland side 2-1 before shockingly going down to a 2-0 defeat away to Poland in a game in which the home side dominated from start to finish.

A last minute John O’Shea equalizer denied them a narrow victory over the Irish on home soil before comfortably dispatching Gibraltar and Georgia.

In the return games, Germany swept to another dominant win over new boys Gibraltar before picking up a massive three points over rivals for top spot, Poland, were a Muller and a Gotze brace ensured Robert Lewandowski couldn’t inspire a Polish comeback.

They picked up another pivotal three points where they eventually got the better of Scotland by three goals to two after the Scots twice fought back from behind to level.

There was of course still time for another German hiccup as Shane Long’s now famous strike at the Aviva Stadium led to the Irish picking up one of the biggest wins in their history, however, a 2-1 victory over Georgia ensured the Germans finished top of the pile, a point ahead of Poland.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

A number of players within this German squad could be defined as key but it will be the likes of Mauel Neuer in goals and Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels at the back who will play a pivotal role in keeping conceded goals to a minimum.

Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos will provide the ebb and flow in the German midfield while Low will once again look to Thomas Muller to lead the line and bring out his best performances on the international stage.

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING

Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille: June 12 v Ukraine KO 20.00

Stade de France, Saint-Denis: June 16 v Poland KO 20.00

Parc des Princes, Paris: June 21 v Northern Ireland KO 17.00

The German camp for the duration of the tournament is at Evian-Les-Bains, right on the border with Switzerland.

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

Germany are tied with Spain in having won the most European Championships with three. (1972, 1980 and 1996).

Germany have made more appearances at a European Championship (11), played more games (43), have won more matches (23) and have scored more goals (65) than any other nation in the tournament’s history.

The World Champions going into a European Championship have twice gone onto win the European crown. At Euro 2000, the 1998 World Cup champions France claimed the title while defending champions Spain came into the Euro 2012 competition as 2010 World Cup winners. Can Germany do the same at Euro 2016?

THEIR RECENT FORM

Germany 2-3 England

Germany 4-1 Italy

Germany 1-3 Slovakia

First game: June 12 v Ukraine KO 20.00