Germany National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Haaland · Mbappé · Van Dijk · Wirtz · De Brunye · Courtois · Lewandoski · Musiala · Rüdiger · Kimmich · Hernández

Germany focuses on a vertical, high pressing style of play within a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup is built to overwhelm opponents in the final third through rapid transitions and direct movements. The goal is to pin the last defender and force errors high up the pitch to keep the ball in the opposition half.

Courtois stands between the posts to command the area. The defense operates as a flat back four. Van Dijk acts as a ball playing defender and is dominant in the air to clear the lines, while Rüdiger covers the space behind the high line. Kimmich plays as an attacking full back on the right to provide width, whereas Hernández acts as an attacking full back on the left. This unit works to squeeze the space and set the offside trap when the team moves forward.

The midfield functions as a double pivot to bridge the gap between the defense and the attack. De Brunye acts as a deep lying playmaker who can switch play and find the feet of the strikers. Wirtz connects the lines by carrying the ball forward and making runs to support the front four. This pair must work hard to defend zonally and protect the central areas when the team is out of possession. They aim to win the second ball and immediately play through the lines.

The front line is extremely potent with four attackers. Mbappé and Musiala act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create scoring chances, while Haaland and Lewandoski operate as a central duo. Lewandoski works to hold up the ball and link up play between the lines, allowing Haaland to make runs in behind. This attacking unit presses from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. The movement is designed to create cutbacks from the byline and isolate wide players in one on one situations.

A major tactical advantage for Germany is the ability to create wide overloads using the overlapping full backs. This creates space in the center for the inverted wingers to operate. Another strength is the speed of transition when the team wins the ball. The combination of Mbappé and Haaland allows the team to counter at pace and hit in behind on the transition before the opponent can regroup.

This 4-2-4 formation is built for heavy offensive pressure and direct attacking. It is best used when facing opponents that play a low block and can be stretched by rapid movement.