German national team trainer Hansi Flick has announced his squad to face Japan and France in the forthcoming international friendlies with one newcomer and number of high-profile absentees from his 24-man selection.
The big news is a first call-up for Brighton’s Pascal Groß at the age of 32. The highly versatile player has really made a name for himself in the Premier League since his move from Ingolstadt in 2017 and last season saw him score nine goals for the south coast club.
One of the biggest surprises is the omission of midfielder Leon Goretzka, With 53 caps he is one of the more experienced internationals and has been a starter in both of Bayern Munich’s first two Bundesliga fixtures. Thomas Müller and Timo Werner also miss out along with Matthias Ginter, David Raum and Thilo Kehrer.
There is a place for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, who has started the new season in fine form and Milan’s young centre back Malick Thiaw gets another call-up. Robin Gosens makes the squad, which means that Union Berlin have representation, and Brentford’s Kevin Schade is also included.
With Manuel Neuer’s continued absence there is a space for Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann, but he will play second fiddle to both Kevin Trapp and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Germany face Japan on Saturday 9th September at Wolfsburg’s Volkswagen Arena as they to avenge their defeat in the World Cup group stage, before they take on World Cup runners-up France on Tuesday 12th September in Dortmund.
The Bundestrainer will first and foremost be looking for results as the post-World Cup form of the German team has brought nothing but negativity and pessimism ahead of next summer’s European Championships on home soil.
A win over Peru was followed by defeats to Belgium, Poland, and Colombia, while they were fortunate to escape with a 3-3 draw against Ukraine.
Full squad:
Oliver Baumann, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp
Robin Gosens, Benjamin Henrichs, Antonio Rüdiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Jonathan Tah, Malick Thiaw
Emre Can, Felix Nmecha, Joshua Kimmich, Pascal Groß, Julian Brandt, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Florian Wirtz, Ilkay Gündogan, Jonas Hofmann, Kevin Schade, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug
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