Germany vs Japan: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Ilkay Gundogan will lead the German side

As the international football calendar rolls on, an intriguing matchup looms on the horizon - Germany versus Japan in an international friendly. Set to take place at Wolfsburg's Volkswagen Arena, this encounter carries a significant narrative, fuelled by a quest for redemption and a desire to assert dominance.

The backdrop to this friendly clash is Germany's burning desire for redemption. In the recent World Cup in Qatar, Die Mannschaft suffered a painful 2-1 defeat at the hands of Samurai Blue, Japan's national football team. It was a loss that stung, especially for a team with a rich footballing history and four World Cup titles to their name.

The upcoming Euro 2024 will be hosted by Germany, which means that the national team is not required to participate in the qualification process. Consequently, Die Mannschaft has not played a competitive match since their World Cup campaign in Qatar. This lack of competitive action may have left them eager to prove their mettle on the international stage once again.

Following their initial defeat to Japan at the World Cup, Germany managed a 1-1 draw with another Germany and a convincing 4-2 victory over Costa Rica. However, it wasn't enough, as they finished third in Group E, falling short of qualification by just two points.

This marked the second consecutive World Cup in which Germany failed to advance beyond the group stage, leaving fans and pundits alike disappointed. It was clear that the four-time World Cup champions were enduring a period of below-par performances on the grandest stage of them all.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, September 9 2023, 02:45 PM (ET) at Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Form

Germany friendly form: W L D L L

Germany form (all competitions): W W L D L L

Japan friendly form: D L W W

Japan form (all competitions): W L D L W W

Players to Watch in Germany vs Japan

Thomas Muller (Germany)

For the first time since Germany's early group loss from the World Cup in Qatar last December, the 2014 World Cup champion is back in the lineup.

Muller, who has 121 caps and 44 goals but missed the international tournaments in March and June, might be used by coach Hansi Flick to replace the injured Niclas Fullkrug for the matches against France and Japan this weekend.

Kaoru Mitoma (Japan)

Wataru Endo of Liverpool, Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton, and Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad were all named to the 26-man Japan squad on Thursday in advance of the country's international friendlies against Germany and Turkey.

Match facts for Germany vs Japan

• The 26-man Japan team was unveiled on Thursday in advance of their international friendlies against Germany and Turkey.
• Included in the squad were Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, and Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo.
• Notably, Ko Itakura of Borussia Monchengladbach, Ritsu Doan of Freiburg, and Hiroki Ito of Stuttgart are among the five players from Japan's team who play club football in Germany.

Injury and team news for Germany vs Japan

Germany midfielder Jamal Musiala will miss his side's upcoming friendlies with Japan due to a back injury, the German FA said on Thursday.

Due to a slight injury, Niclas Fullkrug, a player for Borussia Dortmund and the best scorer in the Bundesliga the previous season, was forced to leave the team. Thomas Muller, a seasoned veteran with 121 caps, takes his position.

Stars from the Premier League Kaoru Mitoma, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Wataru Endo are anticipated to start for Japan. Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda, a Celtic duo, are perhaps the best candidates for the offensive positions.

Head-to-Head

In the lead-up to this intriguing encounter, there is noteworthy team news. Brighton's Pascal Gross has received his first call-up to the German national team, adding an element of curiosity to the roster. On the other hand, Japan enters the match without any significant injury concerns, providing them with an advantage in terms of squad fitness.

Matches: 3

Germany: 1

Japan: 1

Draw: 1

Taking a look at their recent head-to-head encounters, the two teams have had mixed results. A draw and a win for Japan in their last three meetings set the stage for an unpredictable showdown. With both teams having something to prove, these friendly promises to be an engaging contest.

Predicted Lineup for Germany vs Japan

Germany: Ter Stegen; Rudiger, Sule, Thiaw; Kimmich, Can, Gundogan, Gosens; Mueller, Wirtz;Gnabry

Japan: Nakamura; Sugawara, Itakura, Taniguchi, Tomiyasu; Ito, Endo, Kubo, Mitoma; Kamada, Furuhashi

Match Prediction for Germany vs Japan

As we approach this high-stakes friendly, it's evident that Germany is in search of redemption and Japan aims to maintain their impressive form. Germany's recent struggles under Hansi Flick, including two consecutive losses without scoring a goal, raise questions about their current state.

On the flip side, Japan has displayed prowess in their recent friendlies, winning their last two with an aggregate score of 10-1. Their recent victory against Germany in the World Cup, coupled with their impressive performances, suggests that they are a force to be reckoned with.

The Germany vs. Japan international friendly promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their own narratives and motivations to the pitch. Whether Germany can exact revenge for their World Cup defeat or if Japan can continue their impressive form remains to be seen. Football enthusiasts can expect an exciting clash between two talented squads, making this match one to watch as we look ahead to the upcoming Euro 2024 and beyond.

Telecast

India: Sony Sports Network

UK: Viaplay Sports 2

USA: fuboTV and Fox Sports 2