Germany National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Germany aims to dominate through a high press using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and attack vertically. The team focuses on squeezing the space in the opponent half to force mistakes and play through the lines with speed.

ter Stegen stays between the posts to command the area. The back line consists of a back three with Süle, Rüdiger, and Goretzka. Rüdiger is dominant in the air and helps to lead the defensive line. Kimmich plays as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, while Raum acts as an attacking wing back on the left. These wide players push up to support the attack, which requires the central defenders to cover the space and set the offside trap.

The midfield is a pairing of Havertz and Musiala. Havertz connects the defensive and attacking lines and often drops between the centre backs to receive. Musiala acts as a carrier who drives forward with the ball to break the lines. They work to press in a mid block and win the second ball to maintain control.

The front line uses three attackers to stretch the pitch. Gnabry plays as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender. Wirtz and Sané work as inverted wingers who cut inside to find space in the half spaces. Their movement allows Kimmich and Raum to overlap the winger and whip it in towards the box. The team relies on combinations in tight spaces and quick runs in behind to score.

A major tactical advantage is the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The wing backs create wide overloads that pull the opposition apart. Furthermore, the team gains numerical superiority in the final third through the combination of the two central midfielders and the three attackers to overwhelm the defence.

This 5-2-3 is a high intensity formation used to hunt the ball high up the pitch. It is best suited for games where Germany can exploit teams that try to play short from the back.