Lothar Matthäus has revealed his ideal starting lineup for the World Cup Round of 32 match against Paraguay. The all-time leader in caps for Germany would make changes to several positions—and bench a prominent player: Jamal Musiala.
Things get serious for the German team on Monday. After their first World Cup loss to Ecuador, their match against Paraguay will determine whether they advance. Matthäus expects personnel and tactical adjustments and presented his preferred lineup in BILD.
For the 1990 World Cup champion, a great deal hinges on a single factor: Nathaniel Brown’s condition. “What about Brown? Is he injured? Is he fit to play? Because a lot depends on that—including what a back four might look like.”
If Brown is fit, Matthäus would start him on the right side of the defense, with David Raum shifting to the left. In central defense, he’s counting on Antonio Rüdiger and Bayern Munich’s Jonathan Tah: “We need physically strong players in one-on-one situations, including on set pieces.”
Matthäus is moving Kimmich back into the center
Matthäus is planning the most significant change in midfield. Joshua Kimmich is set to return to his favorite position and form the central midfield alongside Felix Nmecha. On the right wing, Leroy Sané remains a sure starter for him: “Not just because of his goal, but also because he really works hard defensively.”
The 65-year-old would also make adjustments in the offense. While Kai Havertz is set to start, he would also bring Deniz Undav into the starting lineup. Instead of a classic two-striker front line, he envisions a fluid interplay: “Undav behind Havertz, but with a dynamic interplay where no one is fixed as the number 9 up front. That’s how we’ll keep our opponents on their toes.” On the left wing, Florian Wirtz is set to earn the coach’s trust once again.
Musiala will have to wait a little longer
For Bayern star Jamal Musiala, however, there’s no place in this lineup. Matthäus expects the Paraguayans to be just as physical as Ecuador or the Ivory Coast were previously: “Everything is on the line now, and the players in the best form should play. Especially against Paraguay, who of course also play a physical game, it seems difficult for him. They’ll be looking for contact. You have to assert yourself there.”
Only in a potential Round of 16 match against France—a team that’s technically much stronger—would Musiala be a real option for Matthäus again.