The Germany Lineup That Should Start Against Switzerland

Germany and Nations League football seem to go about as well together as pineapple on pizza or orange juice and spearmint toothpaste, and heading into Tuesday's game against Switzerland Joachim Löw's side have won just one of seven games in the format.

In truth, it's been a strange few years for Die Mannschaft since the highs of 2014, with several high-profile tournament exits confirming the end of a cycle for the team, and forcing Löw to make the unpopular decision of permanently dropping a number of important players.

With results in a bit of a state, and the team playing some uninspiring stuff in general, how Löw reacts to the challenge of Switzerland, and the media and fan reaction to that reaction, will go a long way towards determining how much credit he has left in the bank.

After a tidy win against Ukraine - where several key players did not feature - rotation should be expected for this one, so let's have a look at how Löw could line up his Germany team against the Swiss.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Neuer was pivotal to Bayern's Champions League victory / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Manuel Neuer (GK) - After a couple of lean seasons, the eccentric goalkeeper has been back to his imperious best. Löw has been criticised for unconditionally picking Neuer over Marc-André ter Stegen, but because of the latter's knee injury he at least has an excuse this time round.

Matthias Ginter (CB) - Centre-back, creative force, goalscorer... the Moenchengladbach man did it all in Germany's game against Ukraine last week, and will no doubt be rewarded with another start.

Niklas Süle (CB) - The man who impressed as a substitute in the Champions League final did not impress against Ukraine, giving away a needless penalty to deprive Germany of their two-goal cushion. Even if Löw did want to drop him, he did sort of permanently get rid of Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, which would make that difficult.

Antonio Rüdiger (CB) - Although the Chelsea man has been sneeringly referred to as one of Löw's 'favourites', he did the job last week, setting up Ginter for a goal provided by the centre-backs' union.

2. Wing-Backs & Midfielders

Kroos will be making his 100th appearance for Germany / Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Lucas Klostermann (RWB) - An ever-reliable presence at the back for RB Leipzig, Klostermann is fast becoming a fixture in this sort-of-new-look Germany side, making a whole nine apperances since his first cap in 2019. Technically set up Goretzka's goal, although you wouldn't want to give him too much credit for it...

Emre Can (CM) - A possible reprieve for Joshua Kimmich could see Can enter the side and fill in as the defensive-minded midfielder in the set-up. Can has been much improved this season and an important part of Dortmund's solidity as they competed on multiple fronts last year. I'd say he's not the most exciting player but then I have seen him score an outside-of-the-box free kick.

Toni Kroos (CM) - One of the most consistent players of the current era, one of the most iconic players of German football history, the metronomic midfield man will receive his 100th cap for Die Mannschaft if he plays in the midweek fixture. While he's not going anywhere, it'll be a while until the Robbie Williams-loving regista surpasses Lothar Matthäus' 150 caps.

Robin Gosens (LWB) - Another new kid on the block for Germany, but what a talent the Atalanta man is. Simply put, you do not tend to get nine goals in a league campaign playing as a wing-back - unless you're Gosens, that is. Had his first taste of international football this year and could well come in to rotate with Marcel Halstenberg.

3. Forwards

This man would probably appreciate a confidence-boosting goal / Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Serge Gnabry (RW) - Although he started 2020/21 with a hat-trick, things have been fairly quiet since then for one of last season's most in-form footballers. Regardless, he has a great chance to cause some havoc against a middling Switzerland defence.

Kai Havertz (ST) - Barnsley first, Switzerland next? While neutral fans are waiting for the big-money signing to slip up at Chelsea, he's beginning to show some flashes of real quality. Löw may have to shoehorn him into this side as a number nine.

Timo Werner (LW) - Werner played no part against Ukraine on account of a slight cold (given that Kai Havertz also had this 'cold', we might assume the symptoms include 'being a Chelsea player that Frank Lampard doesn't want to risk on international duty'). He is now thankfully much better, and although it's been tough for him to find his feet in English football thus far, it wouldn't be surprising to see such a lethal player amongst the goals against Switzerland.