Creating problems when everything is fine

Unlike last World Cup, when they sensationally went out of the competition in the group stage already, the four-time world champions Germany are now in a stable position. They won both of their games in the group and will play a semi-friendly match with Ecuador. No matter the score, they will finish first in the group. Everything is fine in the team, there are not scandals, no quarrels, no visa problems and they even have tonight’s game to spare and to maybe rotate some players in order to rest some and ‘reward’ bench players who might not get another chance to participate in the World Cup. Especially goalkeepers. But coach Julian Nagelsmann still continues to create ‘controversy’ at this very important position.

Simple recipe for Germany's goals: Just field Deniz Undav

Due to Manuel Neuer’s retirement from the national team and Andre Ter Stegen’s injury, a 36-year old Oliver Baumann was Germany’ number 1 keeper throughout all World Cup qualifying games. And just as he was about to participate in the USA, Neuer came out of the retirement and went straight to the first-choice keeper. Nagelsmann apparently explained his decision to Baumann and accepted to be second goalkeeper. And now, when there is an opportunity to him to start in a meaningless game record his probably only World Cup appearance ever, his boss decided to rotate only two players: Antonio Rudiger and David Raum!

“Goalkeeper coach Andreas Kronenberg spoke with Baumann about the decision. Oliver really understood. I understand completely from the human side and if we only approached it that way it would be obvious, but we have to look at the large picture. It's not always pleasant to make these decisions but those decisions have to be made” said Nagelsmann at the press conference.

Germany's starting defender out of the World Cup

What is even worse is that Sky Sports Germany reported that many Germany players wanted to see Baumann between the sticks tonight as they see it as a ‘reward’ for being their first-choice keeper during the qualifications. There are many cases when coaches even went on to give their footballers playing time over some personal records, yet alone playing time in a meaningless game, which Nagelsmann is refusing to do without any logical reason. It remains to be seen if Germany players will persuade their coach to field Baumann after all. Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took the field during the 78th minute of Mexico's 3-0 win over Czechia, giving the 40-year-old the chance to appear in his sixth World Cup. Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player in World Cup history after appearing in a 4-1 win over Japan aged 43, back in 2014. His record was broken in Russia in 2018 by Egyptian goalkeeper El Hadary, who started Egypt's final group match against Saudi Arabia at the age of 45 years and 161 days.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)

Group E

Thursday

23.00: (16.0) Curacao (7.50) Ivory Coast (1.18)

23.00: (4.20) Ecuador (3.60) Germany (1.95)

***odds are subject to change***