France vs. Germany preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Here is our preview of Saturday’s international friendly between France and Germany, including our predicted lineups.

Germany travel to Lyon on Saturday to take on France in the first of two friendlies this month, before taking on the Netherlands in Frankfurt three days later.

Julian Nagelsmann will use the games to try and get closer to the squad – and starting line-up – he wants to field at Euro 2024.

The German coach has shaken up his squad considerably, with six players receiving their first call-ups: Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlovic (FC Bayern), Jan-Niklas Beste (1. FC Heidenheim) and Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim).

Pavlovic will not be able to join the squad due to tonsilitis, but the rest are likely to make their debuts in the next two matches.

However, against a strong France side currently ranked second in the world, Nagelsmann is likely to go with a starting lineup close to his strongest, featuring returning veterans Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos.

One of the big questions is who will start at left-back, with a report from Sport Bild suggesting that Benjamin Henrichs, who usually plays at right-back, could get the nod ahead of RB Leipzig teammate David Raum.

Another hot topic is who will play alongside Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan in the middle of the park. With Joshua Kimmich expected to play at right-back and Pavlovic out, it seems to be a battle between Pascal Gross and Robert Andrich.

In addition to Pavlovic, Germany will be without Jonas Hofmann (hip), Lukas Klostermann (thigh) and Leroy Sané (suspended).

France will be missing Kingsley Coman (knee) and Christopher Nkunku (thigh), while Mike Maignan (knee) is doubtful.

Click here to see our predicted France vs. Germany lineups.