Julian Nagelsmann confirms that Manuel Neuer and Waldemar Anton will both start against Ukraine

Speaking at his pre-match press conference (via @iMiaSanMia) ahead of Germany’s friendly against Ukraine, Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that Manuel Neuer and Waldemar Anton will both start.

When asked if Neuer would start in goal tomorrow, Nagelsmann said: “Manuel Neuer will play tomorrow, he’s making a good impression. Of course, a gastrointestinal illness is exhausting, but he has now been able to recover for a few days. I won’t reveal everything about the lineup. We don’t have a lot of games together and we still need some rhythm”

Neuer has not played for Germany since the 2022 World Cup after breaking his leg in a skiing accident. Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen has been the 38-year-old’s understudy in this time and has had several good performances. 

With it previously being said that Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rüdiger will be Germany’s centre-back partnership in the summer, Rüdiger is absent from the training camp after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. So VfB Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton will be his replacement on Monday: “Tomorrow Waldemar Anton will start alongside Jonathan Tah. He had an incredibly good season with Stuttgart”

Germany kick off their preparation ahead of Euro 2024 in their friendly against Ukraine in Nürnberg on Monday. The last time the two teams played each other they drew 3-3 in Bremen last summer. 

Later on in the week, Germany then play Greece in Mönchengladbach, one week before they kick off their Euros against Scotland in Munich.

GGFN | Jack Meenan