Germany and France are set to clash in the third and fourth place match of the UEFA Nations League, with both teams eager to secure the bronze medal. Germany, the host of this final four tournament, is looking to bounce back after a narrow defeat to Portugal in the semifinals, where they initially took the lead before losing by a single goal. France, on the other hand, enters this match as the defending World Cup runner-up but is looking to recover from a heavy semifinal defeat to Spain, where they were down 5-1 before managing to reduce the score.
Germany is expected to explore changes in their attacking lineup, having previously fielded young striker Woltemade alongside Sané and Wirtz, who scored Germany’s only goal in their last match. The absence of prominent players like Musiala and Stiller has been evident, affecting their offensive output. The German bench has some potential alternatives, including Gosens, Füllkrug, Gnabry, or Adeyemi, who might be included in the starting XI this Sunday in Munich.
The defensive lineup may not see changes, especially with notable absences like Rüdiger and Schlotterbeck. The formation with three center-backs is likely to remain intact. Ter Stegen is solidifying his role as the number one goalkeeper following Neuer’s exit from the national team. The midfield will likely continue to feature the established duo of Goretzka and Pavlović.
On the French side, coach Didier Deschamps may need to manage his squad carefully as his team has one less day of rest compared to Germany. The team also suffers from significant defensive absences, which have led to Konaté and Lenglet stepping in as central defenders. Changes may occur more prominently in the attacking positions; players like Dembélé and Doué, who featured in the Champions League final, might start from the bench, allowing room for in-form players like Cherki or Kolo Muani, both of whom scored against Spain.
Possible lineups for the match are as follows:
Germany: Ter Stegen; Tah, Koch, Anton; Kimmich, Goretzka, Pavlovic, Mittelstädt; Sané, Füllkrug, Wirtz
France: Maignan, Kalulu, Konaté, Lenglet, T. Hernández; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Cherki, Olise, Mbappé; Kolo Muani.
This match presents a chance for both teams to redeem themselves and prove their mettle on an international stage, adding an intriguing twist to this final chapter of the UEFA Nations League for the season. It reflects the nature of competition, as both teams aim to learn from past mistakes and focus on achieving victory despite the challenges faced.