Strongest possible starting XI for Germany | UEFA Euro 2020

Germany vs Denmark - International Friendly
Germany vs Denmark - International Friendly

UEFA Euro 2020 will mark Germany's long-standing manager Joachim Low's last tournament in charge.

Low, who has been the manager of Germany since 2006 and has led Die National Mannschaft to the Euro 2008 final and FIFA World Cup success in 2014, will step down after Euro 2020. The years after that World Cup triumph have not been as successful for Germany in major tournaments, though. They lost in the semi-final in Euro 2016 and failed to get past the group stage at the 2018 World Cup.


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Die Mannschaft are certainly not one of the favourites to win Euro 2020, but they have the wherewithal to spring a surprise or two. Low has picked a squad with a heady mix of experienced and young faces; with little pressure on Germany this time, they could produce some good results at Euro 2020.

On that note, let's look at the strongest possible starting XI for Germany at UEFA Euro 2020.

Germany Goalkeeper - Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer

One of the best goalkeepers to have played the game, Germany captain Manuel Neuer will be the starting goalkeeper for his team at Euro 2020.

The 35-year old has been one of Bayern Munich and Germany's best players for quite some time now, so his experience will be vital for Joachim Low's men at Euro 2020. Neuer, who is renowned for his sweeper-keeper role, is comfortable in possession and is extremely athletic as well.

The former Schalke man has been capped 99 times by Germany. He made 33 Bundesliga appearances this season, helping Bayern Munich win the league title once again.

Other options: Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Right-back - Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig)

Lukas Klostermann
Lukas Klostermann

It is no secret that Germany lack full-back options. Apart from RB Leipzig's Lukas Klostermann, there is no recognised right-back in Germany's Euro 2020 squad.

Joshua Kimmich is excellent in that position, but he will most likely operate in midfield. Klostermann has been a squad player for RB Leipzig this season. The former Bochum man's ability to play as a centre-back or a right wing-back could come useful for Germany at Euro 2020.

The 24-year old made just 15 starts in the Bundesliga this season for RB Leipzig, scoring one goal. He has been capped 13 times by Germany.


Centre-back - Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)

Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels

Joachim Low's decision to bring back Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller from the wilderness raised eyebrows, but both players have immense experience that could benefit Germany at Euro 2020.

A ball-playing centre-back, Hummels in his prime was regarded as one of the best defenders in the game. The 32-year old is now in his second stint with Borussia Dortmund, for whom he has been a consistent starter. A vocal presence at the back, Hummels' presence could be key in Germany's comparatively inexperienced backline.

The former Bayern Munich man was part of the Germany team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and is likely to be a starter at Euro 2020.


Centre-back - Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)

Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger

During the first half of the 2020-21 season, it looked like Antonio Rudiger's time at Chelsea was nearing an end.

The appointment of Thomas Tuchel changed that, though. Rudiger, who arrived at Chelsea from Roma in 2017 for £31.5 million, was a constant presence under Tuchel last season. He ended his campaign as a Champions League winner, producing a world-class performance against Manchester City in the final.

The 28-year-old is physically strong and intelligent and will be brimming with confidence after Chelsea's Champions League win. Rudiger, who made 19 Premier League appearances last season, has been capped 40 times by Germany.


Left-back - Robin Gosens (Atalanta)

Robin Gosens
Robin Gosens

Robin Gosens has made his name as a left wing-back for Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta. So it will be interesting to see how he operates as a left-back for Germany at Euro 2020.

Extremely attack-minded, Gosens made 32 Serie A appearances last season for Atalanta, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists. While he remains excellent offensively, his defensive prowess has raised questions. So Low's decision to not include PSV Eindhoven's Philipp Max in Germany's Euro 2020 squad has been questioned.

Freiburg's Christian Gunter is the other left-back option in Germany's Euro 2020 squad. Although the 28-year old made his Germany debut in 2014, he only recently earned his second cap. If Low chooses to play three-at-the-back, the 26-year old Gosens will be one of the first names in Germany's teamsheet.


Other options: Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Leeds United), Christian Gunter (Freiburg)


Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for France | UEFA Euro 2020.

Defensive midfielder - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich

It is difficult enough to be a world-class player in one position, but Germany's Joshua Kimmich is a world-class personnel in two.

Kimmich, one of the best right-backs in the game, is unlikely to play in that position because he could be more useful in midfield. The 26-year-old has been an incredible performer for Bayern Munich since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2015. He has rightly been compared with Bayern Munich and Germany legend Philipp Lahm, another excellent player who flourished as a right-back and a midfielder.

Barring injury, Kimmich will be a starter for Germany at Euro 2020. He made 27 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich, predominantly in midfield, scoring four goals and providing ten assists. He has scored thrice and provided 13 assists in 54 appearances for Germany.


Central midfielder - Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos

One of the best midfielders in the game, Toni Kroos, will be one of the most experienced players for Germany at Euro 2020.

The 31-year-old joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 for £22.5 million, which has to go down as one of the best transfers of the century. Kroos has played a key role in Madrid's incredible success since 2014, winning three consecutive Champions League titles.

The midfielder, who has been lauded for his excellent passing and technical prowess, will be expected to control the Germany midfield at Euro 2020. Kroos has made 101 appearances for Germany.


Central midfielder - Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)

Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka

Leon Goretzka has been a wonderful player for Bayern Munich since his arrival from Schalke in 2018 on a free transfer.

Goretzka, who is strong defensively and is a good passer, has been a permanent fixture in the Bayern Munich midfield. The 26-year-old made 18 Bundesliga starts last season, scoring five goals and providing five assists.

He has had some issues with injuries, but the former Bochum man should be fit for Euro 2020. Goretzka, who has been capped 32 times by Germany, will likely start at the tournament if he is fully fit.


Attacking midfielder - Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller

Thomas Muller, the Raumdeuter, is back in Germany colours and will be expected to produce efficient performances at Euro 2020.

Muller is not an aesthetically-pleasing player but is one of the best in the world because of his tireless off-the-ball work. His unique skillset, ability to find space and attacking prowess make Muller a dangerous player.

The 31-year-old has won 101 caps with Germany. With the likes of Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels and Toni Kroos, Muller will form an experienced core for Germany at Euro 2020.


Other options: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Neuhaus (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund).


Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for the Netherlands | UEFA Euro 2020.

Forward - Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich)

Serge Gnabry has been prolific for Germany.
Serge Gnabry has been prolific for Germany.

Germany's Serge Gnabry has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world, with his sterling performances for Bayern Munich.

The Bayern winger is likely to play up front for Germany at Euro 2020. The 25-year old has been a prolific goalscorer in international football, scoring 15 goals in just 21 appearances.

A good dribbler, Gnabry is also a solid chance creator. His impact at Bayern Munich has been sensational. The former Arsenal man is now regarded as a key player for the Bavarians and could make an impact for Germany at Euro 2020.


Forward - Timo Werner (Chelsea)

Germany striker Timo Werner
Germany striker Timo Werner

Timo Werner's debut season with Chelsea was a sort of a mixed bag. The German missed tons of chances and frustrated fans, but he also produced key moments with his intelligent movement. Muller played a vital role in Chelsea scoring the only goal in the 2020-21 Champions League final.

Werner was unlucky for Chelsea in his first season, enduring a long goal drought. The 25-year-old ended his first season in the Premier League with 29 starts, scoring six goals and providing eight assists, though.

Nevertheless, Werner could be a key player for Germany at Euro 2020. With his intelligent off-the-ball movement, Werner, a creative forward, can create chances for his teammates and pop up at the right place at the right time. The Chelsea striker will look to improve on his rather modest return of 15 goals and three assists in 38 games for Germany, though.


Other options: Kevin Volland (AS Monaco), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich).


Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for Portugal | UEFA Euro 2020.


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