Germany vs France

Signal Iduna Park is the venue as Germany and France lock horns in a blockbuster international friendly.

Earning the hosting rights for next summer’s Euro 2024 has potentially salvaged Germany from damnation, as their bid to reach every final continental tournament since 1972 might have been compromised otherwise. ‘Die Mannschaft’ slumped to an embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to Japan last weekend, which proved the end of the road for underperforming manager Hansi Flick. Since a 2-0 win over Peru in their first international after a dismal group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Germans have four of their five internationals (D1), conceding multiple goals on four occasions! It’s now up to interim boss Rudi Voller to inspire a comeback and improve the spirits in the national team camp while waiting for Julian Nagelsmann’s response over the vacant job.

Unlike their troubled hosts, France will take the field in a buoyant mood after a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland cemented their place at the top of Euro 2024 qualifying Group B, keeping them as one of only three nations with a 100% win ratio after five matchdays. Having set one foot in next summer’s tournament, ‘Les Bleus’ ought to take this trip in high spirits, looking to extend their six-game unbeaten H2H run (W4, D2) and potentially preserve their 100% win record in the post-2022 World Cup matches. Adding to their confidence, Didier Deschamps’ men have not conceded a single goal across their five internationals in 2023, which has been the case in two of their last three encounters against Germany (W2, D1).