Germany get back into international action this week for the first time since June as they face off against Japan at Volkswagen Arena on Saturday in a friendly match.
Key Takeaways
- Die Mannschaft have been on a poor run of form of late and have won just one of their last five games
- Visitors Japan head into this one on the back of a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Peru
- Germany will be looking for revenge after losing 2-1 when they last played Japan at the 2022 World Cup
Germany have failed to respond following a disappointing World Cup which saw them fail to get out of the groups. They have won just one of their five friendlies since. Japan are on a mixed run of form since their round of 16 exit in Qatar but have won their last two on the bounce.
Germany Form
Die Mannschaft have been completely underwhelming since being crowned world champions in 2014. They have failed to get past the group stage at both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and, despite reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, they only got as far as the round of 16 at the 2020 edition.
A poor World Cup campaign in the Middle East saw Hansi Flick’s side win just one of their three group matches. That was during Matchday 3 as they defeated Costa Rica 4-2 but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the knockouts. Germany beat Peru 2-0 back in March but have failed to win since. Die Mannschaft have suffered defeats against Belgium, Poland and Colombia, whilst also drawing 3-3 with Ukraine.
Japan Form
Samurai Blue showed a lot of character last winter, battling back from a goal down against heavyweights Germany and Spain to secure their spot in the knockouts. Japan took semi-finalists Croatia all the way to penalties too but were thwarted by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
It wasn’t the best of starts to life post-World Cup for Hajime Moriyasu’s side as they drew 1-1 with Uruguay before losing 2-1 at home to Colombia. However, they bounced back during their June friendlies, recording back-to-back wins over El Salvador and Peru. Japan will look to continue that form as we head into the autumn months before beginning their World Cup qualification in November.
Head-to-Head
Japan were victorious when they last faced Germany at the 2022 World Cup. Samurai Blue came from a goal down to win 2-1 in the Group E opener. The previous meeting came all the way back in 2006 in a 2-2 draw during a friendly match. Germany hasn't beaten Japan since 2004.
Team News
Thomas Müller has been called up to replace the injured Niclas Füllkrug for their friendlies against Japan and France. Jamal Musiala has withdrawn from the squad too due to a back issue. Oliver Baumann and Pascal Groß will be hoping to earn their first international caps.
Flick has opted to leave out a host of experienced internationals in his latest squad. That means the likes of Timo Werner, Marco Reus, Mario Götze, Leon Goretzka and Manuel Neuer are all absent too.
Koki Machida and Seiya Maikuma are looking for their first international caps after being called up to the squad by Moriyasu. Premier League stars Takehiro Tomiyasu, Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma will all be hoping to make an impact.
Veteran goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima has retired since the 2022 World Cup, whilst fellow veterans Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida and Hiroki Sakai are all absent from the latest squad.
Key Players
Bayern Munich man Joshua Kimmich will be influential in the midfield, whilst Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan will be hoping to provide an attacking threat from deep. Goal threat should come in the form of Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Florian Wirtz.
Japan will be looking to call upon the Celtic pair of Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi for a spark up top. Mitoma will also be key down the flank. Reims’ Junya Ito and Lazio’s Daichi Kamada will be important in the middle of the park.
Final Thoughts
This should be an incredibly intriguing affair since the hosts will be desperate to exact revenge on their opponents and get back into form. Japan has a talented squad throughout and will prove to be a difficult task for Germany. We could be in for goals since both sides have seen plenty of late.
Int. Friendly Games