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Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s coach, has shaken up the squad ahead of the home European Championship by bringing in six new players for warmup games against France and the Netherlands. The manager likewise included Toni Kroos, 34, in his 26-man squad on Thursday, confirming the Real Madrid star’s return from international retirement over three years after his last appearance for the country.
Aleksandar Pavlovic, a 19-year-old midfielder from Bayern Munich, was called up for the first time, therefore ending his desire to play for Serbia. Three Stuttgart players, Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Deniz Undav, are making their debuts. Stuttgart is flying high in the Bundesliga.
The new faces include Hoffenheim attacker Maximilian Beier and Heidenheim free kick specialist Jan-Niklas Beste, both of whom are doing well in the Bundesliga.
After missing Germany’s previous games, midfielder Jamal Musiala and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from Bayern, Chris Führich from Stuttgart, Robin Koch from Eintracht Frankfurt and goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Fulham all rejoin.
Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka, as well as Borussia Dortmund players Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Emre Can and Julian Brandt, were not selected.
On March 23, Germany faces France in Lyon and the Netherlands in Frankfurt three days later. From June 14–July 14, Germany will host the European Championship.
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