How Germany could line up against North Macedonia

© Reuters

Germany boss Hansi Flick may make a few changes to his starting XI as he aims to keep up his perfect record during Monday evening's World Cup 2022 qualifier against North Macedonia.

Die Mannschaft have won all four games since Flick took charge after Euro 2020, including a 2-1 victory over Romania on Friday, but lost to North Macedonia in the reverse fixture back in March when under the tutelage of Joachim Low.

Flick's starting XI on this occasion will be significantly different to that game, but also likely tweaked since Friday's win.

Manuel Neuer was ruled out with a groin injury in the build up to the game, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen stepping up to fill the void and the Barcelona stopper will likely retain his spot with captain Neuer not suitably recovered just yet.

Joshua Kimmich should wear the armband in his absence as he continues in the middle of the park alongside Bayern Munich teammate Leon Goretzka.

Another Bayern pair in Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller got the goals against Romania and both are expected to start in Skopje, with the latter replacing Marco Reus in the attacking midfield role.

That will leave no space once again for Bayer Leverkusen's young prodigy Florian Wirtz, but the 18-year-old will be hopeful of some minutes from the bench after not featuring at all in the Romania game.

Germany currently have eight players who are one booking away from a one-match ban - a couple of those are not in the current squad, but Antonio Rudiger, Thilo Kehrer and Kimmich, in particular, will need to be careful.

Germany possible starting lineup:

Ter Stegen; Hofmann, Sule, Rudiger, Kehrer; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Gnabry; Havertz