Germany vs Japan: Die Mannschaft faces Samurai Blue in first game to make up for last World Cup
At the last World Cup in 2018, Germany fell to the curse of the defending champions. This year they want to make amends – starting with their first group stage game against Japan on Wednesday.
Seven Bundesliga players on the Japan squad
Many players in the Japan squad are currently active in the Bundesliga and therefore know their opponents. This includes Eintracht Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada, Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan, VfB Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo in central midfield, Bochum striker Takuma Asano, and Schalke’s Maya Yoshida.
Japan wants to build on their previous success during the tournament four years ago to qualify again for the round of 16.
Die Mannschaft goes into the game as favourites. It will be the four-time world champion’s 20th FIFA World Cup appearance becoming only the second team, after Brazil, to reach the 20-participations mark in the tournament.
As for the starting lineup, Germany’s defense will probably consist of Niklas Süle and Antonio Rüdiger as center backs.
One of the most discussed positions has always been the striker for Germany with their history of “false nines”. Against the Samurai Blue, it is highly likely that Chelsea player Kai Havertz fills in on this position.
Moukoko fourth youngest player for a German team
The other options are Niklas Füllkrug who just returned back from illness to the training pitch at the weekend. Or Youssoufa Moukoko, who just turned 18 years old and became the fourth youngest player on a German team.
On Tuesday morning, the DFB (German Football Federation) announced that Bayern midfielder Leroy Sané will miss the first group game after picking up a knee injury in training.
For Japan, Karou Mitoma and Wataru Endo have overcome illness and a head injury respectively to make themselves available. However, it is still unclear whether Sporting Lisbon midfielder Hidemasa Morita is able to play due to a calf issue.
Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and Maya Yoshida are set to start in the defense, while Asano will probably get preference in the striking position because of his international experience.
