Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann is not planning any major personnel changes for the World Cup qualifying match against Northern Ireland compared to Friday’s 4-0 victory over Luxembourg.
“I haven’t decided on one position yet. It could also be the same starting eleven,” he told reporters on Sunday before Monday’s game in Belfast at Windsor Park.
Germany enter the match as the leaders of Group A on goal difference. However, the hosts, like Slovakia, also have six points and have not lost any of their last seven home games. Only the group winners will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
“Everyone knows what’s coming. It’s definitely a factor that Northern Ireland haven’t lost here in two years,” Nagelsmann said. “That’s an impressive record; it’s their fortress.”
In the reverse fixture in September in Cologne, Germany struggled for long periods before securing a 3-1 victory. At the time, Nagelsmann had criticized Northern Ireland’s playing style, which relied heavily on long balls, calling it unattractive. This comment caused some irritation among the opposition.
“I didn’t mean to be disrespectful,” Nagelsmann clarified in Belfast. He described Michael O’Neill’s team as a tough competitor.
Germany’s expected starters got through their final training session unscathed before heading to Belfast.
Only reserve goalkeeper Noah Atubolu was absent from training on Sunday with his right knee bandaged.
The German Football Federation stated that Atubolu would undergo further examination and did not travel to Northern Ireland.
The Freiburg stopper is only fourth-choice goalkeeper for Germany and was not part of the 23-man squad for Friday’s victory over Luxembourg in Sinsheim.
VfB Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, also dealing with fitness issues, had already withdrawn from the squad. His late replacement, Kevin Schade, also did not go to Belfast because of the 23-man squad rule.
Nagelsmann has switched from a four-man to a three-man defence and then back again in recent times depending on the opposition and players available.
