Germany UEFA Euro 2016 Predicted Lineup: Probable Starting 11 for Die Mannschaft
When Germany won the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in the summer of 2014, it was the realization of a dream that started more than two decades ago. The German Football Federation (DFB) had invested heavily over the years to reorganize their football system and improve infrastructure for one purpose – to win in the future with a squad that went through that very system.
With the world conquered, they now switch their focus to Europe. Having last won Euro in 1996, Joachim Low’s side will be looking to win their second major title. The final 23-man squad was announced on 31 May, with Marco Reus being a notable omission due to injury.
“We need two teams for this tournament,” Low had said before announcing the squad. “A team up until the round of 16, and then a second team.” Germany are in a group with Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland who could play defensively before Die Mannschaft take on attacking teams in the knockout stages.
So what will be Germany’s starting lineup at Euro 2016? We predict Low’s best lineup for the tournament.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper
No surprises here with the Bayern Munich shot-stopper set to take his place between the sticks again. Neuer has always been the first choice keeper for Germany and it is highly unlikely that either Marc-Andre ter Stegen or Bernd Leno can do anything to change that.
Arguably the best sweeper-keeper in the world at the moment, Neuer’s reflexes and ability to come off his line make him indispensable. The fact that he sometimes spends more time outside his box when the team plays a high line also made him an auxiliary outfield player under Guardiola with a calm first touch that never saw Bayern troubled by quick players getting in behind Bayern’s defence.
The 30-year-old kept 20 clean sheets in the Bundesliga alone. And he also had a distribution accuracy of 83% as the Bavarian side wrapped up their fourth consecutive Bundesliga title and also the DFB Pokal on penalties.