Germany will look to kick-start the Julian Nagelsmann era with a bang when they take on the USA at the Rentschler Field this weekend.
The frustrating Hansi Flick era has ended, and Julian Nagelsmann has taken over. And Germany will look to efficiently build up to the UEFA Euro 2024 when they lock horns with the USA at the Rentschler Field in Connecticut this weekend.
The USA have progressed well under the tutelage of Gregg Berhalter. After a few years of dreadful performances, the Stars and Stripes are moving in the right direction. Berhalter’s men come into the game on the back of a 13-game unbeaten run, with their most recent notable defeat coming at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands.
As for Germany, the Hansi Flick project did not work, even though it started well. But after the embarrassing group-stage exit at last year’s World Cup, results did not improve. So, Flick became the first-ever manager to face the axe from the DFB instead of leaving of his own volition. Since then, Julian Nagelsmann has taken over the role, signing a short-term contract to manage the team.
The last clash featuring the USA and Germany ended in a 2-1 win for the Stars and Stripes in a 2015 friendly clash. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
USA
TOMORROW 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#USMNT x @att pic.twitter.com/uWIcIV5fnV
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 13, 2023
Gregg Berhalter has made minimal changes to the squad he picked in September’s international break. The notable absentees through injury are Tyler Adams (hamstring), Malik Tillman (unspecified), and Antonee Robinson (groin).
The USMNT head coach has called up Alex Zendejas as Tillman’s replacement. But Berhalter still has a strong squad to line his team up against Germany. Matt Turner will take his spot between the sticks, with the home side lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him.
The defensive unit should feature Sergino Dest, Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, and Kristoffer Lund. Robinson and Richards will look to remain compact and frustrate Germany’s strikers. Meanwhile, Dest and Lund will support the centre-backs while charging forward at every available opportunity.
As for the midfield unit, Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie will provide defensive support to Luca de la Torre. But the duo will provide the forward thrust from the middle of the park. Finally, Folarin Balogun will spearhead the attack, with Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah completing the numbers in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Turner; Dest, Robinson, Richards, Lund; Musah, De La Torre, McKennie; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann has made a few notable omissions to the squad that took the field in September’s round of international fixtures. But the spotlight has been on the player who has returned, with Mats Hummels earning his first call-up since UEFA Euro 2020.
Serge Gnabry, Timo Werner, and Nico Schlotterbeck are notable absentees, while Manuel Neuer remains on the sidelines due to his ongoing recovery from a leg injury. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will continue to deputise in the goal in Neuer’s absence.
B̶o̶r̶n̶ Training in the USA 🇺🇸 🎶#DFBTeam
📸 DFB/Philipp Reinhard pic.twitter.com/Loyn2WodHn— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) October 11, 2023
Germany will line up in a 4-2-2-2 formation in front of ter Stegen against the USA. With the squad missing a natural right-back, Malick Thiaw will likely take up the position, with Niklas Sule and Antonio Rudiger forming the central defensive pairing. David Raum should complete the numbers in the backline.
As for the midfield unit, Ilkay Gundogan will don the armband for Germany against the USA. And with Joshua Kimmich recovering from a cold, Pascal Gross might have a chance to impress from the middle of the park.
Thomas Muller might be in favour with Nagelsmann. The veteran attacker will join Jamal Musiala in the final third. The duo will support the two strikers, who should be Leroy Sane and Niclas Fullkrug.
Probable Lineup (4-2-2-2): ter Stegen; Thiaw, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Gross, Gundogan; Muller, Musiala; Sane, Fullkrug
Key Stats
- The USA and Germany have never played out a draw in 11 previous meetings.
- Germany have the edge in the head-to-head record between the two sides, winning seven games (L4).
- The USA are on a 13-game unbeaten run, losing only once this year while winning eight games in regulation time (D5).
- The 2-1 win over Japan last month ended a run of five games without a victory for Germany (D1 L4).
- Christian Pulisic faced a Nagelsmann team four times in the Bundesliga, scoring twice (both against Hoffenheim)
Player to Watch
Pascal Gross
Pascal Gross is back in the Germany squad after an eternity, and he will be eager to make his mark. Considering the competition on the international stage is primarily among the midfielders, the Brighton & Hove Albion star will not have much room for error this weekend.
So, the 32-year-old will be eager to stamp his authority in the middle of the park as he looks to remain in the scheme of things heading into the European Championships next year. With that in mind, Gross is the player to watch for this weekend’s fixture in Connecticut.
Prediction
USA 1-2 Germany
The “new manager bounce” is a well-known syndrome that often rears its head at the worst time for the oppositions. But despite the arrival of Julian Nagelsmann, some of the issues troubling the German national team will not disappear overnight. Nonetheless, the former Bayern Munich manager’s arrival should galvanise the squad.
Every player will be raring to make his mark on the new head coach as they look to cement their spots in the team. However, defensive frailties will remain, with the USA running Germany close this weekend. But the visitors should have enough quality to eke out a narrow 2-1 win.
