Thomas Muller expected to lead the line for Germany against Japan.
Werder Bremen’s Niclas Fuellkrug Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko have been called up as head coach Hansi Flick looked for
more of a traditional front man after eight years of false nine experiments under Joachim Lowe.
Fuellkrug, 29, made his debut last week, and scored the winner against Oman,
along with Moukoko, who is the youngest player at the World Cup aged 18.
But it should be Muller up top for the first game after returning to training over the weekend,
along with Antonio Rudiger. Muller is looking to score his 11th World Cup goal.
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Japan:
Takehiro Tomiyasu the Arsenal right back was rested for the warm-up game against Canada and should be fit to start.
Karou Mitoma and Wataru Endo are also in contention, but Hidemasa Morita is struggling to shake off a calf issue.
Former Liverpool winger Takumi Minamino will lead the line alongside Takuma Asano.
Predicted Germany XI:
Neuer;
Kehrer, Sule, Rudiger, Raum;
Kimmich, Gundogan;
Gnabry, Musiala, Sane;
Muller
Predicted Japan XI:
Gonda;
Sakai, Tomiyasu, Yoshida, Nagatomo;
Shibasaki, Endo, Kamada;
Ito, Asano, Minamino
