A remarkable generational shift is taking shape on the German national team. For many years, established FC Bayern pros have defined the DFB squad. In the Nations League match against Greece, a significantly younger generation of Munich players could now take center stage.
According to information from BILD, as many as four Bayern players could be in the German starting lineup on Sunday evening: Jonas Urbig, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Tom Bischof, and Lennart Karl. What makes this special is that none of the four is older than 23.
This new Bayern contingent would thus look very different from what it did just a few years ago. Manuel Neuer has ended his DFB career. Jamal Musiala is out with an injury. Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry were initially part of the squad but have since returned to Munich early.
Urbig, Pavlovic, Bischof, and Karl are set to start
Jonas Urbig has already been confirmed as the starting goalkeeper. This marks the second consecutive time Jürgen Klopp has relied on the 23-year-old. Following his debut in the 2-0 win over Serbia, the Bayern keeper will once again get the chance to showcase his skills on the international stage.
Klopp has also revealed that Aleksandar Pavlovic will start. “I told him just before the press conference that he can’t talk his way out of the lineup,” the national team coach explained with a laugh.
Following his strong performance against Serbia, the 22-year-old will now have another immediate opportunity to establish himself in the DFB midfield.
Alongside Pavlovic, Tom Bischof could make another start. The 21-year-old turned heads with a strong performance against Serbia in his second international match, scoring his first goal for the senior national team in the process.
Lennart Karl could round out the Bayern quartet. BILD expects the 18-year-old to play on the right wing. For the youngster, this would already be his third appearance for the German national team.
A new Bayern contingent is taking shape at the DFB
This could signal the beginning of a generational shift within the DFB’s traditionally large Bayern contingent. Players like Neuer and Goretzka, who have helped shape the national team for years, are no longer part of the squad.
Instead, the young Munich players are getting more opportunities. The focus is particularly on the midfield. Pavlovic and Bischof already gelled exceptionally well against Serbia and are likely to play a bigger role going forward.
For Klopp, the current Nations League phase is, in any case, an opportunity to get to know numerous players under competitive conditions. The match in Greece could now reveal just how far along the next generation of Bayern players already is.
If the expected starting lineup does indeed take the field, Urbig, Pavlovic, Bischof, and Karl would all be on the field together. The Bayern contingent on the DFB team would thus remain intact—only significantly younger than it was just a few years ago.