Germany started their preparations for the World Cup on the best possible note. Julian Nagelsmann’s men clinched a comfortable 4-0 win against Finland in a friendly game on Sunday. Bayern Munich players had a big role to play in this comfortable victory.
Joshua Kimmich, Lennart Karl, and Aleksandar Pavlovic chipped in with one assist each. Kimmich started in the right-back position, while Pavlovic played alongside Lukas Nemcha in the center of the park. Karl got his first start for Germany on the right flank. All three Bayern players provided an assist in the game.
Jonathan Tah started in the heart of the defense along with Nico Schlotterbeck. Tah helped Germany to keep a clean sheet on Sunday. Leon Goretzka was an unused substitute in this game, but he is expected to play an important role for Germany at the World Cup.
The biggest positive for Germany and Bayern was the performance of Jamal Musiala on Sunday. Musiala started in the number ten position behind Denis Undav. This was Musiala’s first start for Germany in a long time. He has endured a difficult 12 months due to a serious injury that he suffered against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup last June.
Musiala ended the season strongly for Bayern, looking back to his best. He also got on the scoresheet for Germany on Sunday. The 22-year-old will see his confidence boosted after scoring against Finland. Germany needs Musiala to be at his best if they want to go deep in the World Cup.
Germany has also survived a big injury scare on Sunday as Denis Undav was substituted at the hour mark. The 29-year-old forward scored twice and assisted one goal in the win against Finland. The reports in Germany suggest that his injury is not serious and he should be fit for the game against the USA on June 6.
Manuel Neuer misses the game against Finland
Manuel Neuer has joined Germany’s camp for the World Cup after making a sensational U-turn on his international retirement. However, the 40-year-old goalkeeper is yet to recover from a minor calf injury that kept him out of last week’s DFB Pokal final against VfB Stuttgart.
Nagelsmann handed Oliver Baumann a start in the goal against Finland on Sunday. Germany fans will hope Neuer recovers in time for the first game against Curacao on June 14. Neuer should ideally be fit for the friendly game against the USA on June 6. It will be great for the team if Neuer gains his rhythm before the start of the tournament.
Stats courtesy- Fotmob
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