Germany will be buzzing as an out-of-sorts Ghana come calling this Monday.
An intriguing international friendly awaits in Stuttgart as Germany take on Ghana at the MHPArena. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, this fixture represents a crucial checkpoint for both sides, albeit from very different starting points.
Germany arrive full of confidence and momentum, while Ghana are searching for answers after a difficult run of results. Die Mannschaft head into this contest in excellent form under Julian Nagelsmann, having built a strong winning streak that has restored belief around the national team.
Their recent performances have combined attacking flair with defensive structure. Clean sheets against sides like Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, and Slovakia highlighted their organisation, while their dramatic comeback win over Switzerland showcased their attacking depth and resilience.
At the centre of that attacking resurgence is Florian Wirtz, whose performance against Switzerland was nothing short of outstanding. Operating with freedom from the left, Wirtz was directly involved in all four goals, scoring twice and assisting twice, underlining his growing importance to this German side.
What makes Germany particularly dangerous right now is their balance. They are no longer reliant on one-dimensional attacking play; instead, they can control matches through midfield, stretch opponents with width, and break lines with intelligent movement. Even if Nagelsmann opts to rotate his squad, the depth at his disposal means the overall quality is unlikely to drop significantly.
Meanwhile the Black Stars arrive on the back of three consecutive defeats, including a heavy 5-1 loss to Austria that raised serious concerns about defensive organisation and overall cohesion. That result was especially alarming given the manner of the collapse, with Ghana conceding four goals in the second half after remaining relatively competitive in the opening period.
Recent defeats to Japan and South Korea had already suggested that Ghana were struggling to find consistency, but the scale of the loss to Austria has intensified the scrutiny around Otto Addo’s side.
There is still time before the World Cup for Ghana to regroup and address these issues, but fixtures like this, against elite opposition, will test both their resilience and their tactical discipline. The key question is whether they can tighten up defensively and remain competitive for longer periods, because against a side like Germany, lapses are often punished quickly and ruthlessly. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the teams could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Germany
For Germany, the main story ahead of this friendly is not so much about injuries or suspensions, but rather the likelihood of significant rotation from Julian Nagelsmann after the demanding 4-3 win over Switzerland. There are no major suspension concerns reported for the hosts, and the expectation is that this match will be used as an opportunity to freshen up the starting XI and assess a few fringe or emerging options ahead of the World Cup.
One of the biggest talking points is the possibility of Lennart Karl making his first senior start for Germany after his recent appearance off the bench, while several established names could be rested or given lighter workloads. Kai Havertz may be one of those handed a breather, while there could also be changes in midfield and defence as Nagelsmann looks to spread minutes across the squad.
Overall, Germany appear to have a relatively healthy group available, with team news more focused on rotation and experimentation than on enforced absences. Tactically, Germany are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, a setup that should still allow them to dominate possession and play with width, even if there are changes in personnel. In goal, Oliver Baumann is likely to start and should provide experience and calm distribution from the back.
At right-back, Joshua Kimmich is expected to continue in his increasingly familiar hybrid role, where he can support the attack while also stepping inside to help control possession. In central defence, Malick Thiaw and Antonio Rudiger are likely to form the pairing, combining physicality, recovery speed and strong ball progression. On the left side of defence, Nathaniel Brown may be given the nod and could provide attacking thrust and energy from full-back, particularly if Germany are expected to spend long spells in Ghana’s half.
In midfield, Germany are likely to field Serge Gnabry, Pascal Gross, and Anton Stach, although the shape may be fluid depending on how high the front line pushes and how often Kimmich moves into central areas. Gross should provide control, passing range and calmness in possession, while Stach is likely to offer physicality and ball-winning presence. Gnabry’s role may be slightly more advanced or transitional depending on the exact setup, but his pace and ability to carry the ball through midfield zones could be important if Germany want to attack directly and exploit gaps.
Further forward, Germany are expected to use Lennart Karl on the right wing, Nick Woltemade as the central striker, and Kevin Schade from the left. Karl’s inclusion would bring excitement and directness, especially if Nagelsmann wants to see how the teenager handles a start in a home international.
Woltemade should provide a more physical focal point through the middle and may be asked to link play as well as attack the box, while Schade offers pace and vertical running from the left flank. Germany are likely to set up to dominate the ball, stretch Ghana with width and movement, and use the game as both a competitive test and an opportunity to evaluate the depth of their squad before the World Cup.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Baumann; Kimmich, Thiaw, Rudiger, Brown; Gnabry, Gross, Stach; Karl, Woltemade, Schade
Ghana
For Ghana, Otto Addo is expected to respond to the heavy defeat against Austria by leaning more heavily on his experienced core rather than making wholesale changes. There are no major new injury or suspension concerns reported for the Black Stars heading into this fixture, which means the coaching staff should have most of their key names available despite the disappointing result last time out.
That is significant, because Ghana need a stronger and more organised performance here, and Addo is likely to rely on senior figures to stabilise the side. Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Thomas Partey all played deep into the previous match and are once again expected to be heavily involved, underlining just how important they remain to the team.
One positive from the Austria defeat was that Ayew managed to add another goal to his international tally, and Ghana will again look to his experience and composure in the attacking third. The main changes may come in the full-back positions, where fresh legs and a more secure defensive shape could be prioritised.
Tactically, Ghana are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, a system that should allow them to remain more compact and structured than they were in their previous outing. In goal, Lawrence Ati-Zigi is likely to start and will be expected to play a major role after the defensive difficulties Ghana endured against Austria.
At right-back, Marvin Senaya is expected to come into the side and should offer more defensive stability, while Patric Pfeiffer and Alexander Djiku are likely to form the central defensive partnership. Djiku, in particular, will be crucial in organising the back line and helping Ghana avoid the kind of collapse that hurt them badly in the second half of their last game. On the left side, Gideon Mensah is expected to start and should provide both defensive cover and support on the flank whenever Ghana are able to push forward.
Across midfield, Ghana are likely to rely on a blend of energy, physicality and direct running. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is expected to operate from the right side, where his pace and willingness to drive at defenders could offer Ghana a useful outlet in transition. In central midfield, Thomas Partey should once again be the key figure, bringing calmness, positional intelligence and the ability to dictate phases of play when Ghana have possession.
Alongside him, Kamaldeen Sulemana is expected to play a more advanced or drifting role depending on the shape, while Antoine Semenyo should provide power, intensity and attacking thrust from the opposite side. That midfield unit will need to stay disciplined and compact, because against a side like Germany, any lack of structure could quickly become costly.
Up front, Ghana are expected to start with Prince Adu and Jordan Ayew as the front two. Ayew should bring experience, leadership and intelligent movement in attacking areas, while Adu may be tasked with stretching Germany’s defence and helping Ghana carry a threat on the counterattack.
Ghana’s likely approach will be far more organised than in their previous match, with a clear emphasis on staying compact, competing physically, and trying to frustrate Germany for as long as possible before looking to exploit moments in transition.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Ati Zigi; Senaya, Pfeiffer, Djiku, Mensah; Issahaku, Partey, Sulemana, Semenyo; Adu, Ayew
Key Stats
- Germany are on a six-match winning streak.
- Germany have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches.
- Ghana have lost their last three matches in a row.
- Ghana conceded five goals against Austria in their last outing.
Player to Watch
Florian Wirtz
The Liverpool ace’s performance against Switzerland was a reminder of just how devastating he can be when given freedom in the final third. Wirtz was directly involved in all four of Germany’s goals in that match, and what made his display so dangerous was not just the end product, but the variety in his movement. He drifted intelligently into the inside-left channel, picked up space centrally, and repeatedly found ways to hurt the opposition with both his finishing and his vision.
That could be a major problem for Ghana. One of the Black Stars’ biggest issues in their recent defeat to Austria was their inability to maintain defensive shape once the game became stretched, particularly after the break. Against a player like Wirtz, those lapses can become even more costly.
If Ghana leave gaps between midfield and defence or fail to track runners properly, he is exactly the type of player who can punish them with a killer pass, a late run into the box, or a quick combination in tight spaces.
Even if Julian Nagelsmann rotates his side, Germany’s structure is likely to continue flowing through Wirtz whenever he is involved. Whether he starts wide and drifts inside or operates more freely between the lines, he has the intelligence and technical quality to dictate dangerous moments, making a decisive difference on the field for his side.
For Ghana, stopping Germany entirely may be unrealistic, but limiting Wirtz would go a long way toward making the contest manageable. If they cannot, this could be another long evening for the Black Stars.
Prediction
Germany 3-0 Ghana
Germany are playing with confidence, structure and attacking freedom, and they appear far more settled heading into this friendly. Even if Julian Nagelsmann rotates his side, the hosts should still have enough quality to dominate possession, create chances and control long stretches of the match. Their midfield balance and movement in the final third could cause Ghana serious problems, especially if the visitors again struggle to stay compact defensively.
Ghana, meanwhile, will likely approach this game with a more cautious and organised plan after their heavy defeat to Austria. They do have players capable of causing issues on the break, particularly through Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, and Thomas Partey, but they may spend long periods without the ball and under sustained pressure.
If they concede early, the game could quickly become difficult to contain. Germany simply look too sharp, too settled and too dangerous at the moment for Ghana to keep pace over 90 minutes.