Germany line-up against Costa Rica?

Marcel Reif sure: regular players have to go to the bench

Created: 11/30/2022 11:13 am

By: Korbinian Kothny, Florian Schimak

Germany must win against Costa Rica to reach the World Cup Round of 16.

How does Hansi Flick line up in this important game?

Update from November 30, 10:20 a.m .:

The day before the decisive group final against Costa Rica, Germany continues to puzzle over which lineup Hansi Flick will send into the race.

In the Bild World Cup special

, commentator legend Marcel Reif gave his assessment.

The 73-year-old is certain that İlkay Gündoğan will slip out of the starting XI and Leon Goretzka will form the double six with Joshua Kimmich.

"At the moment it's going in the direction of Kimmich and Goretzka and another midfielder against Costa Rica is not possible.

So I think Gündoğan will stay out," said Reif.

The World Cup expert leaves open who will replace the 32-year-old in the tenth position.

Possible alternatives are Leroy Sané and Niclas Füllkrug.

In the second case, Thomas Müller would probably move down one position.

Marcel Reif is sure that Leon Goretka will start against Spain.

İlkay Gündoğan then only has a seat on the bench.

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

Update from November 29, 6:30 p.m.:

Three DFB stars did not train with the team on Tuesday.

Left-back David Raum has suffered a bruised rib against Spain.

In addition, Leon Goretzka and Thilo Kehrer were absent two days before the decisive game against Costa Rica for workload management reasons.

All three completed an individual unit at the hotel.

Interesting side fact: Lukas Klostermann will be represented at the DFB-PK on Wednesday alongside national coach Hansi Flick.

A nod to the line-up against Costa Rica?

Before the Spain game, the national coach had traveled alone to Doha for FIFA-PC, which is why the DFB received a penalty and was warned by the world association.

Three players were missing from the DFB's Tuesday training session.

© Screenshot/Twitter/@DFB_Team

First report from November 29, 4 p.m.:

Munich / Doha – False Nine?

Chain of three or two at the top?

Everything is at stake for the DFB team on Thursday at the 2022 World Cup against Costa Rica (broadcast dates of the DFB team).

Hansi Flick's team needs a three-pointer and support from Spain to secure their ticket to the World Cup round of 16.

It will be all the more crucial how and who the national coach sets up (WM squad DFB).

World Cup 2022: Table in Group E

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As always, Flick will say little or nothing about the line-up of his team in the run-up to the game.

Above all, one question comes to mind: Will Niclas Füllkrug start?

The new superstar in the DFB sky was the man of the match against Spain.

But does Flick put him in the starting XI against Costa Rica?

World Cup 2022: Germany against Costa Rica?

Thomas Müller has an idea

Do Thomas Müller (right) and Niclas Füllkrug storm together against Costa Rica?

© IMAGO / Sven Simon

One person who would be delighted would be Thomas Müller.

The Bayern star obviously gets along well with the Bremen attacker on and off the pitch.

At the press conference on Tuesday, the two already formed a harmonious duo.

"If we didn't have so many good offensive players, it would be easy: 'Lücke' in front and I behind," said Müller on Tuesday when asked whether the Bayern system could not also work with the DFB team: "But Hansi has With our quality in the squad, we were spoiled for choice.” In the past, Müller shone in the record champions as a tenth behind world footballer Robert Lewandowski.

DFB line-up against Costa Rica: Gündogan or Goretzka?

Germany's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

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In addition to Füllkrug, Leroy Sané is also in the starting XI against Costa Rica.

The left foot missed the opener against Japan because of a knee injury.

However, he was a stimulating element against Spain when he came on as a substitute.

Serge Gnabry, on the other hand, has made two unfortunate World Cup appearances so far, and he could get a break on Thursday.

Youngster Jamal Musiala should be seeded on the offensive.

In central midfield, Flick will again have to choose between Leon Goretzka and Ilkay Gündogan.

Both were allowed to play together against Spain, but against Costa Rica Flick could rather rely on the more offensive variant on the ten and will therefore have to sacrifice one of the two.

DFB team: Who does Flick bring in defense against Costa Rica?

Antonio Rüdiger and Niklas Süle proved themselves in central defense against the Iberians.

The question of the full-backs remains.

David Raum delivered one of his best international matches against Spain.

Will Thilo Kehrer choose the safer option back right against the more defensive Costa Ricans?

Jonas Hofmann or the fast Lukas Klostermann are the first options here.

The national coach is a guest at the FIFA PC in Doha on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen to what extent Flick can look at the cards there in terms of line-up.

The possible Germany line-up against Costa Rica

Neuer - Kehrer (Hofmann), Süle, Rüdiger, Raum - Kimmich, Goretzka (Gündogan) - Sané (Gnabry), Müller, Musiala - filling jug