Germany vs. Hungary preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Just over two months after their dramatic Euro 2024 quarter-final exit to Spain, Germany kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Hungary in Düsseldorf.
A lot has happened in that time, with Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gündogan and Thomas Müller all retired from international duty.
Antonio Rüdiger (break) and Leroy Sané (recovering from groin surgery) are also absent from the squad, leaving Germany without many of their mainstays of recent years.
And yet, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann only called up one new face when announcing his squad, VfB Stuttgart central midfielder Angelo Stiller. All the other players have been selected before.
"Overall, we were very pleased with the way each and every one of our players performed at the European Championship. That's why we want to give the European Championship squad the chance to prove themselves again in the first matches after the tournament," explained Nagelsmann.
The withdrawal of the experienced players means that others will have to take on more responsibility than before. As confirmed by Nagelsmann, Marc-André ter Stegen has been named as Neuer's successor in goal, while Joshua Kimmich has taken over as captain from Ilkay Gündogan.
Facing Hungary is nothing new for Germany, who beat them 2-0 at the Euros to end a three-match winless streak against the Hungarians.
Click here to see our predicted Germany vs. Hungary lineups.