Germany National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

M-A. ter Stegen (1) · B. Henrichs (20) · N. Schlotterbeck (15) · A. Rudiger (2) · D. Raum (22) · J. Kimmich (6) · A. Pavlovic (16) · F. Wirtz (17) · J. Musiala (10) · P. Wanner (7) · K. Havertz (29)

Germany focuses on high pressing and controlling the game through a 4-5-1 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and use central technical quality to progress through the thirds. By keeping the ball in tight spaces, the team seeks to dominate territory and force the opponent into mistakes.

M-A. ter Stegen acts as the keeper, playing short from the back to start attacks. The back four operates as a zonal line, with B. Henrichs and D. Raum playing as full backs who provide width. A. Rudiger and N. Schlotterbeck form the central pairing, where Rudiger uses his aerial strength and Schlotterbeck acts as a covering defender. This unit works together to squeeze the space and maintain a high line to keep the team compact.

The midfield uses a three-man midfield with a carrier and a deep-lying playmaker pairing to control the center. J. Kimmich sits in a single pivot role to shield the defence and recycle possession, while A. Pavlovic provides support to win the second ball. In front of them, F. Wirtz and J. Musiala operate in the half-spaces, using their dribbling style to carry the ball forward and break the line. P. Wanner adds extra energy to the midfield engine to press aggressively and connect the defensive and attacking lines.

K. Havertz leads the line as a pressing centre-forward, tasked to harass the opposition back line and hold up the ball. He often drops into the hole to link up play with the advancing midfielders. The attack relies on the movement of F. Wirtz and J. Musiala who move between the lines to create chances. When the team attacks, the full backs push high to provide width, allowing the attackers to combine in tight spaces and find the feet of the striker.

This formation offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it hard for opponents to play out from the back. Germany also gains numerical superiority in midfield when the full backs and attacking midfielders converge on the center. These overlapping runs create extra options to switch play and isolate wide players in one on one situations.

Germany relies on intense pressing and technical ball retention to dominate matches. This formation is best suited for facing teams that struggle to play under pressure and rely on long balls.