Their game plan against Mexico failed spectacularly
Mexico caused a huge upset in their opening group game against current World Cup holders as they won 1-0. And it could have been more, as they cut Germany open again and again on the counter.
Germany’s lack of pace in defence and inability to cope with fast counter attacks was exposed, with Mats Hummels complaining that often it was just him and Jérôme Boateng at the back having to face a flood of opposition attackers.
Hummels is ruled out through injury for the Sweden game, being replaced by Antonio Rudiger, while Mesut Ozil has been dropped from the line-up following his ineffective display against Mexico, with Marco Reus given the chance to impress from the start against the Swedes.
Sami Khedira is another casualty from the Mexico defeat, with Sebastian Rudy replacing the Juventus anchor, while Jonas Hector replaces Marvin Plattenhardt at left-back. Timo Werner keeps his place in attack.
Unsere Startelf 🇩🇪🇸🇪
1 Neuer (C)
3 Hector
7 Draxler
8 Kroos
9 Werner
11 Reus
13 Müller
16 Rüdiger
17 Boateng
18 Kimmich
19 Rudy #ZSMMN #DieMannschaft #WM2018 pic.twitter.com/7IPJUyTR9v— DFB-Team (@DFB_Team) June 23, 2018
