The Showdown: Germany vs Portugal in the Nations League
DFB squad gears up for fresh pitches in Munich.
Herzogenaurach (dpa) - The German national team, led by coach Julian Nagelsmann, wrapped up their final training session with the full squad at their quarters in Herzogenaurach. The German team takes on Portugal in the opening match of the Nations League final tournament in Munich on Wednesday (21:00 CET, ZDF and DAZN), fighting to make it to the final. Nagelsmann, like his players, crosses his fingers that the Allianz Arena pitch will be in pristine condition.
Rumors swirl about the pitch, which suffered minor damage from the jubilant fans of Paris Saint-Germain following the Champions League final last Saturday. But fear not, say stadium officials; the pitch will be replaced in part and the game will go on without a hitch.
"No worries there - this is nothing new for us," Jürgen Muth, CEO of Allianz Arena Munich Stadium GmbH, told the Munich-based newspapers "Münchner Merkur" and "tz."
The Fresh Face: Woltemade Eyes a Spot
With the final training session completed on the Adidas pitch in Franconia, Nagelsmann prepares for the semi-final showdown against Portugal, presently ranked seventh in the world. The German coach will make at least six changes to the starting lineup compared to the 3:3 draw in the quarter-final return match against Italy in March, mainly due to injury-related absences.
Is it official? Marc-André ter Stegen will be back between the German goalposts, putting an end to his prolonged knee injury. In attack, rising star Nick Woltemade of Stuttgart is set to make his international debut. The 23-year-old has impressed every time he steps onto the pitch for his club.
"He's had a chance, otherwise he wouldn't be here," Nagelsmann quipped during the early preparation stages about the possibility of Woltemade starting in the Nations League match. Captain Joshua Kimmich will play in his 100th international match.
The search results don't provide specifics about any damage done to the Allianz Arena pitch during recent festivities, but, rest assured, the German players are keeping a close eye on that pitch - rain or shine. Viva la Fußball!
The German players are keeping a close eye on the Allianz Arena pitch, hoping it will be in pristine condition for the upcoming Nations League match against Portugal, especially considering the recent minor damage it suffered. In attack, rising star Nick Woltemade of Stuttgart is set to make his international debut in the match, adding a fresh face to the German team.
