Coach: Joachim Loew
Star player: Thomas Mueller
World Cup best: Winners, 1954, 1974 and 1990 (as West Germany), 2014
The holders have failed to win any of their matches since the qualifying rounds were completed. Draws against England, France and Spain were followed by a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, bringing the Germans’ impressive 22-game unbeaten run to an end.
Loew’s men were heavily fancied to retain their title, something that has not been done since Brazil in 1962, but recent results and injuries has left a big question mark over the side. The one benefit they have from these setbacks is they will not be in anyway complacent when the matches begin.
Joachim Loew has been in charge of the team since 2006 — it is something of a rarity for a coach to oversee matters for such a long time — and has the enviable advantage of knowing this squad inside and out.
Germany reached the final of Euro 2008 under his stewardship, then went on to take third place at the 2010 World Cup and make it to the semi-finals at Euro 2012. Loew then guided his men to the 2014 World Cup title in style, including the famous 7-1 won over Brazil in the semis.
The only made the semis at Euro 2016 followed, but to claim the Confederations Cup last year in Russia.
Loew is not afraid to promote youngsters to his senior side and one of his toughest challenges could be whom he leaves out his side, rather than find the talent to take the field.
However, one of his biggest concerns is the absence on captain and No. 1 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who faces a race against time to be fit. He has been out of action since suffering a hairline metatarsal fracture in his left foot last September. Marc-Andre ter Stegen had shown himself to be a competent understudy in Neuer’s absence.
defender Jerome Boateng is another injury concern, with the Bayern man picking up a thigh knock against Real Madrid in the Champions League. His club teammates Niklas Suele and Joshua Kimmich should step in if Boateng does not make it.
Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos should be pulling the strings in midfield behind Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, and the goal-getters Thomas Mueller, Marco Reus and Timo Werner. Mario Goetze is another option up front.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp
Defenders: Marvin Plattenhardt, Jonas Hector, Matthias Ginter, Mats Hummels, Niklas Suele, Antonio Rudiger, Jerome Boateng, Joshua Kimmich
Midfielders: Sami Khedira, Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Sebastian Rudy, Julian Brandt, Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka, Marco Reus
Forwards: Timo Werner, Mario Gomez.
