Nagelsmann forced into two defensive changes for Ecuador, Undav remains super-sub
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will make only two changes to his starting lineup for the final World Cup group game against Ecuador, both enforced by injuries, as striker Deniz Undav again prepares for a substitute role.
Forced defensive changes
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann will only alter his starting eleven where necessary for the final World Cup group match against Ecuador on Thursday (22:00 CEST) in East Rutherford. The already qualified group winners are missing two defenders: centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the tournament with a ligament injury in his left ankle sustained against Ivory Coast, and left-back Nathaniel Brown missed the team's final training session on Wednesday with mild adductor problems. Antonio Rüdiger replaces Schlotterbeck in the heart of defence, while David Raum comes in for Brown. Nagelsmann confirmed the approach: "We will make the changes we have to." He praised Rüdiger's professionalism, saying, "It's nice that Toni's top behaviour when he wasn't playing is now rewarded. Toni is at a top physical level."
Undav stays in reserve
Despite scoring three goals and adding two assists as a substitute in Germany's opening wins over Curaçao (7-1) and Ivory Coast (2-1), striker Deniz Undav will again start on the bench. Nagelsmann has faced questions about rotating his squad with the round of 16 only four days away, but he argues the team needs to build cohesion. "In the weeks before the World Cup, one of the decisive topics was that we had to gel as a team," he said. "Now we have played two matches and are discussing how much to change. We want to prepare for the knockout stage." Undav accepted his role:
If I were unhappy, I wouldn't be here.
Match context and outlook
Germany have already secured top spot in Group G and will face a yet-to-be-determined third-placed team in the round of 16 on Monday in Foxborough. Sport director Rudi Völler indicated that Nagelsmann would rest some players but keep the team in rhythm, saying,
With 4800 German fans expected, the German block is sold out for the match at the 80,663‑capacity stadium. The fixture evokes memories of the 2006 World Cup, when Germany also faced Ecuador in the final group game after two opening wins.We want to stay in this flow so that we can then appear self-confident in the round of 16.
