Germany welcome group leaders Hungary in Leipzig in a clash for the place in the finals of the Nations League.
Die Mannschaft thumped Italy 5-2 in their last group game in June whereas the visitors stunned England by destroying them 4-0 in front of their home support.
GER vs HUN Match Details
Date: Friday, 23 September 2022 / Saturday, 24 September 2022
Time: 20:45 (CET) / 00:15 (IST)
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
GER vs HUN Match Preview
Germany are in a three-nation battle race for the playoff spot of the Nations League with Hungary topping the group, surprisingly, a point ahead of them and Italy also breathing down their shoulders on third. Hansi Flick’s could be certain of their path to the finals if they manage to pick up consecutive victories in the group stages. It will be a tough test to face the Hungarians doing wonders in the group in the period of the nation’s uprising again in the sport. Germany started their Nations League campaign in June with three successive 1-1 draws, the fourth time they maintain the score line that month, including against the Magyars and only broke their jinx in the latest game thrashing Italy 5-2. Timo Werner scored a brace that day and he is the one Flick will rely upon in the absence of a center-forward in the team other than Kai Havertz. Gladbach’s Jonas Hofmann has popped up with important goals in those fixtures making himself a key member of the German squad and certainly a candidate to be in the squad for the World Cup as a starter of games. Joshua Kimmich was unstoppable in the June fixtures scoring two goals and delivering an assist from midfield to keep Germany in the playoff race. Tightening up the back has been a problem for Germany recently after conceding only twice in Flick’s first five games in charge from last year compared to six goals leaked in the preceding five games. The manager has also hinted to recall Mats Hummels to the national team should his leadership be required to strengthen the defense ahead of flying to Qatar for the World Cup in November. The 33-year-old might not be blessed with the pace required in the modern game but has the experience of guiding the side to win the trophy in Brazil in 2014. These are the last pair of games for Die Mannschaft to ready themselves for the World Cup where they are paired in a competitive group alongside Japan, Costa Rica and fellow European nation Spain.
Hungary were clear favorites to relegate themselves to League B before they even kick a ball in the Nations League this season after being pinned in a group against Germany, Euro champions Italy and finalists England. Fast forward to September, Marco Rossi’s men are leading all of these nations and have an excellent chance in moving to the finals of the Nations League next year for the first time. Winning against England for the first time at home since 1962 started things off brilliantly but then a 2-1 loss to Italy halted the momentum. Hungary managed to regather again with a hopeful 1-1 draw against Germany to pave the path for their historical 4-0 win over England away inflicting the Three Lions’s worst home defeat in 94 years. Rolland Sallai scored twice through blistering counter-attacks joined by Zsolt Nagy and Daniel Gazdag strikes in the last 10 minutes of the game to put Hungary on top of the table and in dreamland. The rise of Hungary in the competition has been a tale of wonders with promotion from League C to B to A in just three seasons since its inception. With the side also sparkling in the European championship last year that too in a group of death, Hungary have the potential to be more than just giant killers in the coming days. However, the star duo of Nagy and Sallai won’t be participating in the September games due to injuries coming as a blow for the visitors when they take on Germany to resume Nations League action. This could limit their chance of sparks in Leipzig with Rossi giving extra responsibility to their sturdy defense to keep the front four of the home side quiet. Qualifying for World Cup is the next far-reaching objective Hungary are hoping to clinch someday but for now they eye another upset to take a gigantic step towards the final rounds of the Nations League.
Recent Form
GER: WDDDD
HUN: WDLWW
GER vs HUN Team News
Germany have been dealt a blow with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka forced to withdraw from the squad after contracting the virus. Winger Julian Brandt has made himself unavailable with his clubmate Marco Reus also out through an ankle injury he sustained in the Rivierderby against Schalke last weekend. Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann who made his 400th Bundesliga appearance recently is called up as a replacement as is midfielder Maximilian Arnold from Wolfsburg. Hansi Flick has handed Armel Bella-Kotchap a maiden call-up to the senior squad after his impressive display with Southampton since transferring there in the summer from Bochum.
Hungry has also called up new faces in their squad with Milos Kerkez, Attila Mocsi and Peter Barath poised to have some minutes on the belt. Star forward Rolland Sallai’s absence from the team will devoid the Magyars of a goal-scorer with Zsolt Nagy’s injury also taking a key player out of defense. Loic Nego is likely to replace him. Coach Marco Rossi has to rely on playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai to work his magic in the two remaining important games of the campaign with heroics from Peter Gulasci also required in between the sticks.
GER vs HUN Predicted Lineups
GER: Ter Stegen; Thilo Kehrer, Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger, David Raum; Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan; Jonas Hofmann, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane; Timo Werner
HUN: Peter Gulacsi; Adam Lang, Willi Orban, Attila Szalai; Loic Nego, Andras Schafer, Callum Styles, Attila Fiola; Martin Adam, Dominik Szoboszlai; Adam Szalai
GER vs HUN Head to Head
Two goals inside the opening ten minutes of the game led to both the sides sharing points on the evening in the reverse fixture at Hungary in June. The last meeting in Germany ended with a comfortable 2-0 win for the home side in a friendly game played in 2016. This is the third time the pair are meeting in two years after their nail-biting 2-2 draw in the last group stage game of Euro 2020 last year.
GER vs HUN Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Ter Stegen (7)
DEF: Sule (7.5), Orban (8), Attila Szalai (8.5), Raum (7)
MID: Szoboszlai (9), Kimmich (9), Gundogan (8)
FW: Muller (9), Adam Szallai (7), Werner (8.5)
Captain: Joshua Kimmich
Vice-captain: Thomas Muller
