Germany will wrap up their preparations for UEFA Euro 2024 when they welcome Greece on Friday night.
Germany will face Greece at Borussia-Park on Friday night in their final warm-up fixture before hosting Euro 2024. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two nations in 12 years, the last being an entertaining 4-2 victory for Die Mannschaft in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
Since Julian Nagelsmann took over as head coach from Hansi Flick in September last year, Germany have had a mixed run of form, with three wins, two draws, and two losses from his first seven games. After disappointing back-to-back friendly defeats to Turkey and Austria at the end of 2023, Germany bounced back with impressive victories over France and the Netherlands in March. However, they played out a goalless draw in their latest warm-up match against Ukraine on Monday.
Nagelsmann will have noted the positives from his team’s dominant performance at Max-Morlock-Stadion but will be concerned about their lack of efficiency in front of goal, as they managed to get just five of their 27 shots on target. Addressing this issue will be crucial as they prepare for Euro 2024.
Germany will aim to return to winning ways against a Greece side they have defeated in six of their nine previous encounters, scoring at least twice in each of those victories. A win on Friday would boost their confidence ahead of their Euro 2024 Group A opener against Scotland on June 14, followed by matches against Hungary and Switzerland.
Greece, meanwhile, are gearing up for their first match since March when they were eliminated from Euro 2024 qualifying in a penalty-shootout loss to Georgia in the playoff semi-finals. Despite collecting 13 points in their qualification group, Greece failed to secure a top-two finish, with France and the Netherlands being the only teams they couldn’t overcome.
Following their exit, Gus Poyet stepped down as Greece’s head coach, and Under-21 coach Nikos Papadopoulos has been appointed interim manager. Papadopoulos, who will also oversee next week’s friendly against Malta, aims to guide Greece to their first-ever victory over Germany in their 10th meeting. The Galanolefki have drawn three times with Germany, including a goalless draw at Euro 1980, but have lost their last three encounters by an aggregate score of 10-4.
As both teams prepare for this friendly, Germany will look to refine their attacking prowess, while Greece, under new leadership, hope to make a statement and end their long wait for a win against Die Mannschaft, a formidable team. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this clash.
Team News & Tactics
Germany
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has the luxury of recalling key players Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger, Niclas Fullkrug, and Nico Schlotterbeck, all of whom were absent against Ukraine due to extended rest following their involvement in the recent UEFA Champions League final.
Nagelsmann is expected to retain his 4-2-3-1 formation, with Manuel Neuer in goal. The veteran should be protected by the back four of Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, and Maximilian Mittelstadt.
Toni Kroos and Robert Andrich should hold the fort in midfield as the double pivot, while Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gudogan, and Florian Wirtz will aim to progress the ball upfield.
Niclas Fullkrug, Germany’s top scorer in the Nagelsmann era should reprise his role upfront. Germany dominated proceedings against Ukraine but were unable to breach the East European side’s defence. They will hope to do better ahead of what will be Toni Kroos’s swansong tournament at home.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz; Fullkrug
Greece
Veteran defender Georgios Tzavellas has retired from international football. Additionally, Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas and former Sheffield United right-back George Baldock, both of whom played against Georgia in March, are notable absentees from the senior squad.
St Pauli’s Manolis Saliakas, one of three Greek players competing at club level in Germany, could start at right-back in Baldock’s absence. Norwich City’s Dimitris Giannoulis may step in for Tsimikas on the left side of the back four. Giorgos Masouras, fresh off winning the Europa Conference League with Olympiacos last month, will be buzzing to go.
The 4-3-3 formation is likely to be the way forward for the visitors this week. Odysseas Vlachodimos should start as the last line of defence, with the quartet of Manolis Saliakas, Pantelis Chatzidiakos, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Dimitris Giannoulis.
Dimitrios Kourbelis should anchor the midfield, with Petros Mantalos and Anastasios Bakasetas for support. Fotis Ioannidis should lead the line ahead of Giorgos Masouras and Christos Tzolis.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vlachodimos; Saliakas, Chatzidiakos, Mavropanos, Giannoulis; Bakesetas, Kourbelis, Mantalos; Masouras, Ioannidis, Tzolis
Key Stats
- Germany have never lost against Greece, with six wins and three draws in nine encounters.
- Julian Nagelsmann average 1.57 points per game for Germany as manager. Only Erich Ribbeck with 1.50 points per game has a worse record as Die Mannschaft boss
- Niclas Fullkrug is Germany’s top scorer in the Nagelsmann era with four goals.
- Greece have not won consecutive international games since October 2023.
Player to Watch
Niclas Fullkrug
The Borussia Dortmund star will be smarting from the UEFA Champions League loss to Real Madrid but has thrived under Julian Nagelsmann in national colours. He will once again lead the line for Germany and will hope to build momentum heading into the Euros.
Fullkrug will be supported by a stellar supporting cast, and the onus will be on the striker to make the most of it. Greece are not the toughest opponents but will be keen to prove a point after they failed to qualify for the Euros. It should prove to be a solid test for the Dortmund ace.
Prediction
Germany 2-0 Greece
Germany will be keen to make the most of home support and retake their spot at the top of European football. However, they still have ways to go and will be keen to make a statement. The game is unlikely to be one sided, but Germany’s strength in depth should see them come away with a win.
