Germany ended the Euro 2024 group stage with two wins and a draw, sitting above Switzerland, Hungary and Scotland in Group A. As the Mannschaft prepare to meet Denmark in the last-16 round, we take a look at some of the main takeaways from their first three fixtures in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Germany\u2019s disastrous campaign in the 2022 World Cup saw Hansi Flick use three different lineups in three outings. Forming a reliable starting XI became Julian Nagelsmann\u2019s first challenge upon his arrival at the national team in September 2023.<\/p>\n
Read More: <\/strong>Five Things We Learnt From Spain Group Stage Performance At Euro 2024<\/a><\/p>\n Following an underwhelming period of trial and error, the 36-year-old manager seems to have found a solid backbone for his tactical ideas. Instead of making radical squad decisions, Nagelsmann has maintained a core of experienced stars while adding a number of exciting youngsters to the national team.<\/p>\n Toni Kroos has joined Germany for a final dance, leading Germany alongside fellow veterans Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller. For most Mannschaft fans, however, this tournament is about Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, who are eager to bring their incredible form in club football to the international stage.<\/p>\n Bayern Munich players were at the heart of Germany\u2019s squad during their decade-long dominance over the Bundesliga. The Bavarians are still well-represented in the national team, but several players from other German sides have also found their way into Nagelsmann\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n Only a few days before the tournament, he called up Borussia Dortmund\u2019s Emre Can to replace the Bavarian’s Aleksandar Pavlovic, who missed the tournament due to tonsillitis. Nico Schlotterbeck and Niclas Fullkrug have also joined Germany from the Black and Yellows.<\/p>\n Read More: <\/strong>Euro 1992: A Danish Football Fairy Tale<\/a><\/p>\n Robert Andrich has secured a starting spot in the midfield after a fantastic campaign with Bayer Leverkusen. His teammate Jonathan Tah also started all three of Germany\u2019s group-stage games, forming a defensive duo alongside Antonio Rudiger.<\/p>\n Another notable addition to Germany\u2019s lineup is Maximilian Mittelst\u00e4dt, who was crucial to Stuttgart\u2019s success last season. The 27-year-old provided an inch-perfect assist for Ilkay Gundogan against Hungary in the second group fixture.<\/p>\n Germany have played without a top-class striker for years, often relying on attacking midfielders and wingers to score. A similar decision saw Nagelsmann start Kai Havertz as his team\u2019s target striker in the group stage, with the Arsenal star finding the back of the net against Scotland.<\/p>\n Read More: <\/strong>Top Three Most Memorable UEFA European Football Championship Openers<\/a><\/p>\n However, F\u00fcllkrug\u2019s brilliant cameos against Scotland and Switzerland have convinced many German fans that maintaining the Mannschaft\u2019s attacking edge might hinge on having a natural striker in the lineup.<\/p>\n In a poll<\/a> conducted by Bild, 140,000 supporters were asked if Havertz should be dropped for F\u00fcllkrug. The German newspaper has reported that 90 per cent of the voters prefer to see the Dortmund striker in the lineup.<\/p>\n Neuer has maintained his place as Germany\u2019s number one despite competition from Marc-Andr\u00e9 ter Stegen. Speculations over the goalkeeper\u2019s potential retirement after the tournament have intensified<\/a> in recent weeks. However, he didn\u2019t show any signs of slowing down during the group stage.<\/p>\n A bizarre own goal from Rudiger ruined Neuer\u2019s clean sheet against Scotland, but he didn\u2019t concede a goal against Hungary. His performance against Switzerland, and particularly a wonderful save against Granit Xhaka, was crucial to Germany salvaging a point against their in-form rivals.<\/p>\nNot Exactly Bayern<\/h3>\n
Havertz vs. Fullkrug<\/h3>\n
The Manuel Neuer Factor<\/h3>\n