Germany always produces some of the best footballers in Europe. Then why are they not viewed by many as contenders to win the 2022 World Cup?
Several factors contribute to this. Germany performed poorly at last year’s Euro. Furthermore, pre-tournament preparation hasn’t caused much excitement.
Don’t be fooled, though! Germany’s squad is still a stellar one. Furthermore, die Mannschaft is known to battle for each opportunity.
Just how important can the Germans be for your fantasy football ambitions? What are Germany’s key players? Today we’ll try and answer those questions.
Fantasy football potential/Odds
Germany’s failure to light the world on fire for last year’s Euro has had consequences. Some of the squad has changed.
More young players, usually active in the Bundesliga, have been afforded a call-up.
Some of the veterans, such as Toni Kroos or Mats Hummels, have either retired or have not been asked to join the Qatar campaign.
It adds up to the fact that Germany has nine 2* rated players. Their true worth, however, remains to be tested.
This is also an opportunity for players like Kai Havertz. A lot was made of the German’s transfer to the Premier League.
It’s difficult to say if Havertz has yet lived up to the hype. Indeed, until he can lead Germany to glory, this perception is unlikely to change.
Full squad & predicted line-up
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Christian Gunter (Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Fullkrug (Werder Bremen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund)
Germany’s predicted XI: Neuer – Raum, Schlotterbeck, Rudiger, Sule – Kimmich, Gundogan – Musiala, Muller, Gnabry – Havertz
Tactics and formations
Hansi Flick‘s tactics for Germany resemble those he used in his spell at Bayern Munchen. The team is usually set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Ideally, Germany utilizes the much talked about gegenpressing strategy. The team will look to win the ball back quickly and create chances on the counter-attack.
How much of this is achievable with their current squad remains to be seen.
Regardless, Germany can benefit from the talent of a few excellent midfielders, such as Gundogan and Kimmich.
Key players
Joshua Kimmich – A generational talent, Kimmich has been the bedrock of both Bayern and Germany for years. He is a player capable of switching to several roles, taking on leadership duties, and providing excellent, surprising passes.
Ilkai Gundogan – One of the generals of one of the world’s most successful football sides, Gundogan hopes to build on the experience earned with Manchester City. There’s little that his game lacks.
Still, remains to be seen if this is enough to make up for the team’s shortcomings.
