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Germany team to face Scotland revealed as Steve Clarke discovers opponents

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JULIAN NAGELSMANN has already told the players who will line up for Germany against Scotland in Munich on Friday.

And it’s emerged they’ve known for at least a week – if not longer.

Steve Clarke faces the tough prospect of guiding Scotland into the tournament opener against hosts Germany

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Steve Clarke faces the tough prospect of guiding Scotland into the tournament opener against hosts GermanyCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Julian Nagelsmann will hope for a victory to kick off Die Mannschaft's hosting campaign

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Julian Nagelsmann will hope for a victory to kick off Die Mannschaft’s hosting campaignCredit: Getty
Nagelsmann has decided on the team that will start against Scotland in Munich

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Nagelsmann has decided on the team that will start against Scotland in MunichCredit: AFP

Head coach Nagelsmann’s understood to have plumped for the same line-up from last Friday’s 2-1 win over Greece in Monchengladbach – a performance that failed to impress supporters and sparked demands for veteran No1 Manuel Neuer to be dropped.

World Cup winner Neuer – set to win his 120th cap against the Scots in the hugely anticipated Euro 2024 opener – blundered badly to allow the Greeks to go ahead.

And overall his display led to widespread criticism, including from legend Lothar Matthaus, who claimed the 38-year-old was no longer as secure and dependable as before.

Plenty have demanded Germany’s back-up keeper and Barcelona first choice Marc-Andre ter Stegen is selected instead for the tournament.

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But Nagelsmann instantly insisted Neuer was safe and that there would be NO discussion over the goalkeeping position.

Indeed, the Euros’ youngest boss had clearly told his players as far as back as the massively impressive March friendly victories over France and the Netherlands what their roles were going to be for the competition.

Each individual in his 26-man pool has no doubts about their status as likely starters or subs.

Just last week Nagelsmann also went public to state Arsenal Kai Harvetz would be first choice striker ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug.

It’s believed the German chief has even named his first choice subs.

Leading German publication Bild has reported the following line-up to face Steve Clarke’s men: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Toni Kroos, Robert Andrich, Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz.

SunSport’s Derek McGregor has the latest from Germany as striker Niclas Fullkrug gears up for Scotland clash at Euro 2024

And Fullkrug, Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane – who has come into the competition still working for full fitness – and Brighton’s Pascal Gross will be Nagelsmann’s first choice replacements.

Go Ballistic – SunSport’s new podcast

SUNSPORT is going Ballistic with the launch of our brilliant new podcast.

Every day of the Euros host Roger Hannah will bring you all the latest news and views from the Scotland camp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

He will be joined by our men in Germany – Bill Leckie, Robert Grieve and Derek McGregor.

And there will also be special guest appearances from our Euro 2024 columnist Gordon Strachan, regular columnist Kris Boyd and bookie basher Jim Delahunt.

You can watch every episode on our website or our brand new YouTube channel.

What are you waiting for, it’s time to Go Ballistic!

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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