Germany National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Germany utilizes a 5-4-1 formation that focuses on a defensive block. This lineup is built to play a counter attacking style of football. The main goal is to sit deep, remain compact, and wait for the moment to strike through rapid transitions.

Havertz acts as the last line of defense in goal. Ahead of him, the back line consists of three central defenders with Musiala, Goretzka, and Gündogan. These players work to cover space and win aerial duels. Sané and Wirtz act as wing backs, meaning they must push high to provide width while also tracking back to help the defense. This unit works together to keep the team compact and hard to break down.

The midfield operates as a bank of four players. Kimmich sits in a deep role as a single pivot to shield the defense and break the lines with his passing range. Raum occupies the other central spot to help cover the middle. Thiaw and Anton play as attacking midfielders who link the defense to the lone forward. They are tasked with pressing when the ball is lost and finding pockets of space to create chances.

Up top, Leno plays as a lone striker. He must hold up the ball and wait for the midfielders to join the attack. The attacking structure relies on the wing backs, Sané and Wirtz, to provide width by making runs down the flanks. This creates a narrow central presence that allows the team to congest the middle of the pitch. When the team wins the ball, the wingers and midfielders push forward quickly to support Leno.

This formation offers several tactical advantages. It creates massive compactness when defending deep, making it difficult for opponents to find gaps between the lines. The team can also use the speed of transition to catch opponents out of position. By having Sané and Wirtz push high, the formation can create wide overloads to exploit the flanks once the ball moves forward.

Germany uses this 5-4-1 to remain defensively solid and strike on the break. This formation is best suited for facing teams that dominate possession and leave space behind their high defensive line.