As Euro 2024 approaches, all eyes are on Germany, the host nation for this year’s renewal of the prestigious tournament.
With a rich footballing heritage and a passionate home crowd behind them, Die Mannschaft are poised to make a significant impact and are one of the favourites in the Euro 24 odds winner.
Germany enter the competition with a balance of seasoned veterans and exciting young talents, all eager to shine on the international stage.
Read on, as we take an in-depth look at Germany’s squad, key players, head coach, form and what the European Championships could hold for them on home soil.
The squad
Germany’s squad for Euro 2024 offers a blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Maximilian Beier and Florian Wirtz set for their first major international tournament appearances while stalwarts including Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller offer knowledge and leadership.
Julian Naglesmann’s squad selection has raised some big questions ahead of the tournament, however, as the former Bayern Munich head coach displayed a ruthless cut-throat approach to naming his team.
Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League finalists Julian Brandt, Mats Hummels, Marco Reus and Karim Adeyemi will all be watching from home, while there was also no place for Bayern duo Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, or Tottenham Hotspur loanee Timo Werner.
Key players
While Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been the man between the sticks for the majority of the games since Germany’s disappointing group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup, Manuel Neuer has returned from injury and looks set to return as Germany’s No.1 keeper at the Euros.
Champions League winner Antonio Rudiger is the figurehead in central defence, and will need to command the back four while continuing to build his relationship with Jonathan Tah, while right-back Joshua Kimmich is another key member of the squad.
Getting Kroos, a Champions League winner for a sixth time after Real Madrid’s recent win over Dortmund at Wembley, to come out of international retirement could prove to be a stroke of genius from Naglesmann, as the 34-year-old can dictate play and pull the strings in midfield.
Barcelona’s İlkay Gündoğanhas been playing a more advanced role for Germany than we were used to seeing during his time at Manchester City, and he offers experience to a relatively young attack that includes Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz.
The coach
Despite only being 36 years old, Naglesmann is already a mature coach with plenty of experience at the top level.
He made a name for himself at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before landing arguably the biggest job in German football at Bayern Munich, where he was sacked after less than two years despite boasting a 71%-win rate and winning the Bundesliga title.
Results have been mixed since Naglesmann replaced Hansi Flick last October, beating the United States and drawing with Mexico before suffering defeats to Turkey and Austria.
The 36-year-old used those games to play around with his squads and potential XI’s though, and there is an argument that he has found the right formula from doing so as Germany notably beat France and the Netherlands in March.
Euro 2024
Germany have been drawn in a favourable group alongside Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland, all of which are winnable games for Die Mannschaft.
The real test will likely come in the knockout stages, as they will probably have to face both Spain and Portugal en route to the final, where France or England could be waiting for them in Berlin.
The outright market and the England odds are suggesting a victory for the Three Lions, but Germany are a side that might be overlooked.
