Julian Nagelsmann named both Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw in his Germany squad for the November internationals.
If Germany win both of their final two World Cup group qualifiers, they will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.
They are at home to Slovakia on Monday but ahead of that they play Luxembourg away on Friday night.
Julian Nagelsmann has been speaking ahead of tonight’s game and has a number of several key selection decisions.
The Germany boss could be set to start both Newcastle United stars against Luxembourg.
Julian Nagelsmann the absences of the injured Nico Schlotterbeck and Joshua Kimmich:
“Other players will now have the chance to prove themselves.
“Ridle Baku will replace Kimmich, he’s looked great in training so far and is a regular at RB Leipzig.
“We haven’t decided yet who’ll come in for Schlotterbeck but we have good options in Malick Thiaw and Waldemar Anton. They’re slightly different types of player, but both can do the job well.”
Julian Nagelsmann on Nick Woltemade’s progress:
“He has made real strides.
“Moving to another country with a different style of football is never easy, but he’s scored a few times, feels at home in the city (Newcastle Upon Tyne), and overall the situation (playing for Newcastle United) seems to suit both him and us really well.
“He’s a fantastic player.
“He has gone from the U21 EURO final to being a regular starter with us in no time.
“He’s in demand right now because he’s been playing really well and has already scored for us too. He’s welcome to keep that going tomorrow and on Monday (laughs). I’m very pleased with him.”
Julian Nagelsmann on tonight’s opponents, Luxembourg:
“They sat very deep in the reverse fixture after the early red card. I’m expecting a more attacking approach from them.
“I don’t think they’ll just park the bus, we’ll probably see more from them going forward. Still, the goal remains the same: I’ll be trying to win the game with my team.”
My thoughts
What a great story with Malick Thiaw, over two years since his last international call up and then his outstanding Newcastle United in such a short space of time has got him not only a return to the Germany squad, but also it seems every chance of starting tonight. Perfect timing as well for Thiaw, if Germany can qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals in the coming days, then surely every chance that the defender will be joining Nick Woltemade on the plane to the finals next summer.
As for Big Nick, great words from the Germany boss and it has been astonishing how much the striker has achieved for club and country in such a short space of time, especially when he is so relatively inexperienced. Woltemade is going to be some player in the future as he has so much scope to get even better.