Germany has made two changes to its team for its game against Spain, the biggest being the dropping of Kai Havertz in favor of Leon Goretzka.
Goretzka, a sturdy midfielder, is a very different play than Havertz, a striker, so his insertion is more than a one-for-one swap. But it also adds a bit of familiarity to Germany’s front six: five of the players are Bayern Munich teammates (Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan is the odd man … in?)
Germany’s second change is on defense, where Thilo Kehrer replaces the 22-year-old Nico Schlotterbeck.
Germany’s lineup:
Manuel Neuer; Thilo Kehrer, Niklas Süle, Antonio Rüdiger, David Raum; Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka; Thomas Müller, Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala
Spain makes only one change to the team that thrashed Costa Rica in the opener: bringing in Dani Carvajal for Cesar Azpilicueta at right back.
Spain’s lineup:
Unai Simon; Dani Carvajal, Rodri, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo
