Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann has made a significant lineup change for the Euro 2024 quarter-final match against Spain, starting Emre Can in defensive midfield alongside Toni Kroos, instead of the usual starter Robert Andrich. The match is set to take place in Stuttgart on Friday.
Andrich, who has been a consistent presence in Nagelsmann’s starting lineup since March and has started in all four of Germany’s matches so far in Euro 2024, will be replaced by Can. Can, initially left out of Nagelsmann’s original Euros squad, was called up at the last minute to replace the sick Aleksandar Pavlovic. This will be Can’s first match for the national team since September.
Additionally, Nagelsmann has reinstated centre-back Jonathan Tah in place of Nico Schlotterbeck. Tah missed Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in Dortmund in the last 16 due to a yellow card suspension.
Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente has decided to maintain his starting XI from their 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last 16 and the 1-0 win over Italy in the group stages. Despite speculation from Spanish media that RB Leipzig forward Dani Olmo might replace Barcelona’s Pedri, De la Fuente has opted to stick with his established lineup.
Both Germany and Spain have a storied history in the Euros, each having won the tournament three times, the most by any team.
Starting line-ups for the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Spain and Germany in Stuttgart on Friday (kick-off 1600 GMT):
Spain (4-2-3-1)
Unai Simon; Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Nico Williams; Alvaro Morata (capt)
Coach: Luis de la Fuente (ESP)
Germany (4-2-3-1)
Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Ruediger, Jonathan Tah, David Raum; Emre Can, Toni Kroos; Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan (capt), Leroy Sane; Kai Havertz
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann (GER)
Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
