German National Football Team Gears Up for UEFA Nations League Final Four
Training session at the DFB center featuring Fanjubel; Marc-André ter Stegen under scrutiny
In the tranquil town of Herzogenaurach, Germany's football stars rolled into the Adi-Dassler-Stadion on their blue loan bicycles, basking in the cheers of eager fans. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann initiated the team's brief preparation for the Nations League final tournament with a training session under a bright, azure sky and a mild summer heat. Only one player, Yann-Aurel Bisseck, was absent, as he is with Inter Milan for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich on Saturday evening.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who has been out of action for nearly eight months due to a severe knee injury, returned to the German team at the kick-off program in front of around 4,000 spectators. According to Nagelsmann's plans, ter Stegen is expected to man the goal during the UEFA competition semi-final against Portugal in Munich on Wednesday and, ideally, in the subsequent final four days later against France or Spain.
As the first stage of training, Nagelsmann launched game-oriented exercises to ensure that the players, some of whom had enjoyed up to two weeks of early summer vacation, were ready for the high-intensity competition ahead.
Regarding the replacement of Antonio Rüdiger in the back four, the latest squad announcements do not explicitly confirm his absence. Among the candidates to fill the centre-back positions are Joshua Kimmich, Robin Koch, Jonathan Tah, and Maximilian Mittelstädt. Although the specific named replacement has not been announced, one of these defenders is expected to take Rüdiger's place in the lineup.
Joining Germany in the Nations League final four are Portugal, Spain, and France. Comprising 26 players, the German squad includes several Bayern Munich players. The tournament will take place on 4 June 2025 in Munich, where Germany will face Portugal in the semi-final.
The German national football team, with several Bayern Munich players in their squad, will participate in the UEFA Nations League final four alongside Portugal, Spain, and France. In preparation for the high-intensity competition, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, after being sidelined for eight months due to a knee injury, returned to the team and is expected to play in the European-leagues semi-final against Portugal and potentially the final against France or Spain.
