Germany National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Haaland · De Jong · Schlotterbeck · Wirtz · De Brunye · Oblak · Lewandoski · Ødegaard · Bastoni · Kimmich · Gvardiol

Germany plays a vertical game built on a high press using a 4-4-2. This lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly. The team looks to play with high intensity to force mistakes. Players are tasked to exploit gaps in the opposition as soon as they lose control.

Oblak stays in goal to command the area and organize the unit. The back four plays with a high line to squeeze the space. Kimmich acts as the right back and will overlap to provide width. Gvardiol plays at left back to cover the flank and protect the space. Bastoni and Schlotterbeck form the central pair. Bastoni is a ball playing defender who can progress the ball with his passing. Schlotterbeck helps to hold the line and wins the header to clear the lines when under pressure.

In the middle, De Jong acts as the single pivot to shield the defence. He often drops between the centre backs to receive and recycle possession. De Brunye and Ødegaard sit in front of him to drive forward with the ball. De Brunye is known for his passing range and ability to break the line. Ødegaard works to find the feet of the strikers and play through the lines. Wirtz operates as an attacking ten in the hole to connect the midfield and attack by making runs into the box.

The front line uses two forwards in a partnership. Haaland and Lewandoski lead the way. Haaland is a clinical finisher who makes runs in behind. Lewandoski is capable of holding up the ball to lay it off for others. They press the opposition back line to trigger a press from the front. This allows the team to attack in combinations or break quickly in transition to hit the opponent at pace.

Germany offers great strength through its ability to press in coordinated waves. The presence of Haaland and Lewandoski makes them lethal when they hit in behind on the transition. Another advantage is the numerical superiority in the middle when Wirtz pushes up. This allows the team to win the second ball and keep pressure on the opponent by squeezing the space.

This 4-4-2 is a heavy pressing formation designed to dominate games. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back.