Northern Ireland v Germany
MIDFIELDERS
JOSHUA KIMMICH BAYERN MUNICH
MARCO REUS BORUSSIA DORTMUND
TONI KROOS REAL MADRID
Age Caps 92 Goals 14 29
Age Caps
24 42
Age Caps 41 Goals 13 30
Goals 3
Kroos is the most experienced member of Germany's squad and has been a virtual ever-present since making his debut in 2010. Was an integral part of the 2014 World Cup success and he was named in FIFA's Dream Team at that tournament. Kroos provided four assists at World Cup 2014 and scored twice in the 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil.
Dazzled in his first competitive start for Germany in the 1-0 win over Michael O'Neill's side at Euro 2016 and was named in the UEFA team of the tournament. Able to play at right-back or in midfield, Kimmich also scored a stunning goal in Die Mannschaft's 3-1 victory in Belfast in October 2017.
Reus is Borussia Dortmund's captain and would almost certainly have had more caps for his country had he not been troubled by injuries. Scored five times in six appearances in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers but missed the tournament, and Euro 2016, as he was not fit. Scored 17 Bundesliga goals for Dortmund last term.
ILKAY GUNDOGAN MANCHESTER CITY
JULIAN BRANDT BORUSSIA DORTMUND
LEON GORETZKA BAYERN MUNICH
Age Caps
28 33
Age Caps
23 25
Age Caps
24 23
Goals 5
Goals 2
Goals 8
Another talented midfielder who has been troubled by injury problems. Gundogan recently signed a new contract with Manchester City after helping Pep Guardiola's side secure a domestic treble last season. His goal against Estonia in June was his first in four years for the national team.
Moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Dortmund in the summer after switching from a wider role to a more central position to great effect. Was named Bundesliga Player of the Month in February after scoring two goals and providing four assists. He then also scored within 14 minutes of his debut for Dortmund last month.
Enjoyed a fine first season with Bayern after joining a year ago when his contract with Schalke expired. Goretzka scored eight times in 30 games as Niko Kovac's side won the title. Made his debut for Germany Under-16s against Northern Ireland in 2010, scoring in a game that Paddy McNair also played in.
EMRE CAN JUVENTUS
SERGE GNABRY BAYERN MUNICH
KAI HAVERTZ BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Age Caps
25 21
Age Caps 8 Goals 7
24
Age Caps 3 Goals 0
20
Goals 1
Can spent four years with Liverpool but left on a free in 2018 to join Juventus, with whom he won the Serie A title last season. Can, who missed out on his country’s 2018 World Cup squad, won the Premier League's goal of the season award in 2016-17 for his sensational overhead kick against Watford.
An ex-Arsenal player who once spent time on loan with West Brom, Gnabry's career has taken off since he returned to Germany, initially with Werder Bremen in 2016. Scored a hat-trick against San Marino on his senior international bow in 2016, becoming the first man to hit a treble on his Germany debut in 40 years.
Havertz is considered one of Germany's most exciting prospects, having become the youngest player to make 50 Bundesliga appearances in 2018. He scored 17 times for Bayer Leverkusen last term - a tally only Robert Lewandowski and Paco Alcacer could better across the division - and opened his account for this campaign after just 19 minutes.
STRIKERS
TIMO WERNER RB LEIPZIG
LUCA WALDSCHMIDT FREIBURG
Age Caps 25 Goals 10 23
Age Caps 0 Goals 0
23
Werner has proved prolific since moving to Leipzig, scoring 50 times in the last three seasons, while he has five goals in three appearances already this term. Werner scored a bagful of goals for Germany at youth level and also won the Golden Boot at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Received his first call-up from Low for this squad having scored a tournament-leading seven goals for the Under-21s at the Euros in the summer. The Freiburg striker has extended his purple patch into this season, netting in each of his club's opening three fixtures of the campaign.
**All caps/goals correct before Netherlands game**
35
www.irishfa.com
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker