How Germany could line up against the USA

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann is reported to have experimented with a 4-2-2-2 setup ahead of his first game in charge of Die Mannschaft, which comes in the form of a friendly with the USA on Saturday.

The former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig boss takes control of the reins as Hansi Flick's permanent successor, while also seeking to follow in Rudi Voller's footsteps after the ex-striker led his nation to a 2-1 win over France in his first and only game in charge last month.

A handful of injuries have depleted the German ranks, with all of Manuel Neuer, Serge Gnabry, Benjamin Henrichs and Matthias Ginter out of contention, while Borussia Dortmund duo Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck have been omitted alongside Timo Werner.

As Neuer continues to recover from his devastating broken leg, Marc-Andre ter Stegen's stint in between the sticks will continue, most likely with Niklas Sule and Antonio Rudiger as his protective shield.

With no recognised right-back in the ranks, Malick Thiaw ought to fill that role for the time being, as David Raum fends off Robin Gosens for a start on the left-hand side of the backline.

Joshua Kimmich has apparently come down with a cold, so Robert Andrich could join Ilkay Gundogan in the middle, while Leroy Sane and the effervescent Jamal Musiala should operate just ahead of the duo.

As Kai Havertz flatters to deceive at Arsenal, Niclas Fullkrug and Thomas Muller are primed to get the nod in attack, as the latter seeks a 46th Mannschaft goal to overtake Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and become his nation's outright fifth-highest male scorer of all time.

Germany possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Thiaw, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Andrich, Gundogan; Sane, Musiala; Fullkrug, Muller