Germany’s preliminary squad for the European Championship has been announced, with host nation Germany set to cut the squad to 26 before their opening game against Scotland. One notable inclusion is Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who will be playing in his first major tournament since Euro 2020 after reversing his decision to retire from international football.
Among the six Bayern Munich players called up, teenager Aleksander Pavlovic and Maximilian Beier are the only uncapped players. The inclusion of Pavlovic over Leon Goretzka shows that coach Julian Nagelsmann values his forward passing abilities, which will support Kroos during the tournament. Mats Hummels, despite helping Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final, has not been included in the squad. Nagelsmann has previously stated that Hummels is not suited for a backup role, leading to his omission. On the other hand, Nico Schlotterbeck has been included due to his recent impressive performances in the Champions League.
Moving on to Germany’s forward line, it is still considered the squad’s area of weakness. However, Niklas Fullkrug has proven himself capable of scoring at a high level, while Max Beier from Hoffenheim deserves his chance after a successful season. Kai Havertz will start as the first-choice false number nine, forming an intriguing chemistry with Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, who will play as dual number tens.
Looking ahead, Nagelsmann has named a provisional 27-man squad, but it is expected that four goalkeepers will be reduced to three in the final selection. This means either Oliver Baumann or Alex Nubel will miss out on a spot in the squad.
Overall, Nagelsmann’s choices for the preliminary squad are not surprising given the team’s performance in recent international games against France and the Netherlands. The team’s style under Nagelsmann is fast, forward-thinking, and composed of meritocratic players. While the forward line may still be considered a weakness, there are promising options available. With the right chemistry and support, Germany has the potential to make a strong impact in the tournament.