With just over two weeks left until they open their World Cup defense, several questions still hang over Germany's squad. Manuel Neuer must prove his fitness against Austria while Joachim Löw has tough choices to make.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Reviewfoto
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Considering their status as holders and one of the favorites for Russia 2018, Germany seem to have a few niggling and persistent issues, even with their World Cup opener against Mexico just 16 days away.
Their four-game winless streak - albeit in friendlies - is their worst run of form since 2004, the year of the group stage exit of the Euros, while key men Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng remain fitness doubts.
Neuer will start against Austria on Saturday as he bids to prove his fitness to Löw and demote Marc-Andre ter Stegen to number two. Löw praised the Barcelona keeper in his press conference on Friday: "He has matured. He had a tough start to his Germany career, but he has overcome that very well."
The 58-year-old coach also confirmed that Boateng is not fit enough to play on Saturday. The Bayern Munich center back hasn't played in over a month after picking up an injury in Bayern's first leg loss to Real Madrid. His club teammates Mats Hummels and Thomas Müller also won't travel to the match in Klagenfurt, near Austria's border with Slovenia.
While Neuer's first appearance since September is sure to catch many an eye, Saturday's match will mark the end of an even longer wait for the only Borussia Dortmund player in the Germany squad.
It's 795 days since Marco Reus last pulled on the national team shirt in a friendly against Italy, with a series of injuries scuppering his chances, including at World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016. Reus, who turned 29 on Thursday, was a rare bright spot for Dortmund towards the end of the season, scoring seven times in their last 10 games to provide Löw with a timely reminder of what he'd been missing.
"It's good that he is back with the team after a long time out," Löw said. "He's incredibly skillful, intelligent and a surprise for opponents. He'll definitely play tomorrow. He's a rocket. We can all look forward to him at the World Cup."
Joachim Löw has some decisions to make in the coming daysImage: picture-alliance/dpa/Revierfoto
Though Germany's team, fitness permitting, looks largely nailed down, one of the three positions behind Timo Werner and alongside Thomas Müller and Mesut Özil looks up for grabs. Though he's competing with Leroy Sane and Julian Draxler, Löw suggested Reus's versatility may prove useful as a game-breaker for Germany.
Nils Petersen, the joker in Löw's pack, will also get a runout, despite rumors that he will be one of the four players cut by the Germany boss as he trims the squad from 27 to 23 ahead of their last friendly against Saudi Arabia on June 8.
"I'll speak to the relevant players on Monday," Low said. "They'll then leave some time in the afternoon. When I knock on their door, they have a bad feeling because I don't knock at the door of Boateng, Hummels or [Joshua] Kimmich."
Löw, and millions of German fans, will be hoping Neuer and Reus get through Saturday without too many bad feelings, then the anticipation for Russia can really start to build.
Germany's squad for World Cup 2018
Manuel Neuer made the cut after proving his fitness, while Leroy Sané's omission shocked the footballing world. Here are the 23 players charged with Germany's World Cup title defense in Russia.
Image: Reuters/M. Rehle
Manuel Neuer
Will Germany's best goalkeeper be fit enough to play? Even though Neuer missed most of the season with injury issues, Joachim Löw has brought his captain along in the hope that he recovers.
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International games: 74 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture-alliance/ZB
Marc-André ter Stegen
The Barcelona goalkeeper has been Löw's go-to option with Neuer on the shelf. With Germany's captain back in the fold, ter Stegen may have to make do with the bench, but he could also start while Neuer works on his fitness.
<br/> <br/> International games: 19 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: Reuters/G. Dukor
Kevin Trapp
Trapp is the main beneficiary of Neuer's failure to recover. He had an underwhelming season, making just 12 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain and some high profile errors, but he's made the cut, for now. <br/> <br/> International games: 3 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/SvenSimon/J. Kuppert
Jerome Boateng
The Bayern Munich man is arguably Germany's best defender, and one of the first names on Löw's teamsheet. But Boateng picked up a thigh injury against Real Madrid in March, casting doubt on whether he will be fit in time for the World Cup.<br/> <br/>International games: 70 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture alliance /Sven Simon
Mats Hummels
Boateng's central defensive partner at club and international level is one of Löw's key men. The question is not whether he is going to start at the World Cup, but who will be starting alongside him. <br/> <br/>International games: 63 / Goals: 5 / World Cup tournaments: 1
Image: picture alliance/sampics/S. Matzke
Antonio Rüdiger
The Chelsea defender evidently has Löw's trust, as proven by his regular playing time during World Cup qualifiers. He will likely be the primary backup to Boateng and Hummels.
<br/> <br/> International games: 23 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Becker
Niklas Süle
He had a strong first season at Bayern and has experience playing with both Hummels and Boateng. The 22-year-old is now poised to make his first World Cup squad.
<br/> <br/> International games: 9 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/AA/A. Nasyrov
Matthias Ginter
His transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Borussia Mönchengladbach hasn't done Ginter's international chances any harm. The utility man was the youngest squad member of the 2014 team, but didn't play a minute at the tournament. He'll be hoping for more this time, but may also struggle to make the final 23. <br/> <br/> International games: 17 / Goals: 0 / World Cup appearances: 1
Image: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images
Joshua Kimmich
The Bayern defender has not only become Germany's best right back, but one of the best right backs in the world. Löw will need him at his best at the World Cup.
<br/> <br/> International games: 27 / Goals: 3 / World Cup appearances: 0
Image: picture-alliance/GES/T. Eisenhuth
Jonas Hector
He will be playing in the second division next season after Cologne were relegated from the Bundesliga. Before then, Hector is likely to make his World Cup debut as Löw's starting left back.
<br/> <br/> International Games: 36 / Goals: 3 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/Gladys Chai von der Laage
Marvin Plattenhardt
Despite making his international debut at the Confederations Cup last year, the Hertha Berlin man finds himself with a decent chance of travelling to Russia. A set piece specialist, the 26-year-old will be backup for Hector.
<br/> <br/> International Games: 6 / Goals: 0 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/sampics/S. Matzke
Toni Kroos
A metronomic presence, Kroos is expected to run the show in midfield for the defending champions. The Real Madrid midfielder has been an automatic selection for Germany for some time, and could enter the tournament with another Champions League title under his belt.
<br/> <br/> International games: 82 / Goals: 12 / World Cup appearances: 2
Image: picture-alliance/GES/T. Eisenhuth
Sami Khedira
At 31, the Juventus midfielder may no longer be at the height of his powers. But his leadership is what Löw covets most and his commanding presence on the field will, almost certainly, earn him a starting spot.
<br/> <br/> International games: 73 / Goals: 7 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M. Becker
Sebastian Rudy
He missed out on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 European Championship in France. After starting every game at the 2017 Confederations Cup, Rudy is trying to convince Löw to finally bring him to a major tournament. <br/> <br/> International games: 24 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture alliance/dpa/GES/M. I. Güngör
Ilkay Gündogan
The Manchester City midfielder is finally fit after missing Germany's last two major tournaments with various injuries. He is another deep-lying playmaker who can make things happen in midfield.<br/> <br/> International games: 24 / Goals: 4 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/GES-Sportfoto
Mesut Özil
The Arsenal midfielder is one of the best playmakers in the world, but has often drawn criticism for a perceived propensity to disappear at the crucial moments. Despite the political furor earlier in the week, he will be one of Löw's primary options in Russia.
<br/> <br/> International games: 89 / Goals: 22 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Maurer
Thomas Müller
"Müller always plays," former Bayern coach Louis Van Gaal once said. He is not a forward in the conventional sense, but he always seems to find a way to score goals. He has World Cup pedigree too - he won the Golden Boot in 2010 and the Silver Boot in 2014.
<br/> <br/> International games: 90 / Tore: 38 / World Cup tournaments: 2
Image: picture-alliance/S. Simon
Marco Reus
The 29-year-old finally seems set to make his World Cup debut. He just has to get through a training camp in South Tyrol without injuring himself...
<br/> <br/> International goals: 29 / Goals: 9 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/Rauchensteiner
Julian Draxler
Another Löw favorite, Draxler captained Germany at the Confederations Cup last year. After not getting the playing time he craved at Paris Saint-Germain this term, Draxler is looking to seize his opportunity at international level.
<br/> <br/> International games: 42 / Goals: 6 / World Cup tournaments: 1
Image: picture-alliance/GES/M. I. Güngör
Leon Goretzka
The soon-to-be Bayern midfielder followed up his impressive Confederations Cup showing with a strong season for Schalke. However, he's likely to be back on the bench with Germany's stars back in the fold.
<br/> <br/> International games: 14 / Goals: 6 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Probst
Julian Brandt
The 22-year-old winger took on more responsibility at Leverkusen this season. Now he's aiming to cement his place in Löw's squad for years to come.
<br/> <br/> International games: 14 / Goals: 1 / World Cup tournaments: 0
The Leipzig forward is small, quick and explosive — unlike most of Germany's other striking options. The 22-year-old is likely Löw's first choice up front after winning the Golden Boot at last year's Confederations Cup.
<br/> <br/> International games: 12 / Goals: 7 / World Cup tournaments: 0
Image: picture-alliance/GES/M. Ibo
Mario Gomez
The Stuttgart forward has fallen down the pecking order since his terrific performance at Euro 2016. Even at 32, he is still one of Germany's most prolific goal scorers, but he has to be in tip-top shape in order to convince Löw to take him to Russia.
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International games: 73 / Goals: 31 / World Cup tournaments: 1
