Germany and France meet in the UEFA Nations League third-place playoff at the MHPArena in Stuttgart today. Both teams lost in the semi-finals—Germany 2-1 to Portugal at home, and France 5-4 to Spain after a crazy comeback.
Germany vs France Preview
Germany were favourites going into the semi-final with a strong home record of just one loss in their last eleven games and a five-match winning streak against Portugal. But they struggled at the back in the semi-final, conceding twice after taking the lead. Manager Julian Nagelsmann will be looking for a significantly improved performance to secure a third-place finish.
France showed great resilience in the semi-final against Spain, coming back from 4-0 down to 5-4 before time ran out. They’ll want to build on that second-half performance and finish the tournament on a high.
Team News & Tactics
Germany
Nagelsmann will rotate his squad heavily, giving opportunities to players like Deniz Undav, Pascal Groß, Robin Gosens, and Serge Gnabry. The team will likely line up in a 3-4-2-1 with Marc-André ter Stegen in goal. The back three will be Jonathan Tah, Robin Koch, and Waldemar Anton. Joshua Kimmich will play right wing-back, Gosens on the left. In midfield, Groß will partner Leon Goretzka, while Gnabry and Florian Wirtz will play behind Undav.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Ter Stegen; Tah, Koch, Anton; Kimmich, Groß, Goretzka, Gosens; Gnabry, Wirtz; Undav.
France
Didier Deschamps is without William Saliba, Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano. The backline will be Ibrahima Konaté partnering the uncapped Loïc Badé, with Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Digne as full-backs. In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Manu Koné will form the double pivot. Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola will provide width, with Rayan Cherki in the number ten role. Kylian Mbappé will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Maignan; Pavard, Konaté, Badé, Digne; Tchouaméni, Koné; Dembélé, Cherki, Barcola; Mbappé.
Stats
- Germany and France have met 34 times, France winning 15, Germany 11.
- Germany have lost 2 of their last 12 home games.
- France won the last competitive meeting at Euro 2020.
- France conceded 5 goals against Spain, their first 5 in a match since 1969.
- France have lost 2 of their last 3 and will look to steady against Germany.
Player to Watch: Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé has 49 international goals and will be France’s main threat. Despite the semi-final defeat, the Real Madrid star was good and will look to inspire his team to a good finish in the Nations League.
Germany vs France Prediction
Germany will want to redeem themselves at home, but France’s attacking power and recent resilience suggest they have the edge. Expect an open game with France to win.
Germany 1-3 France
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