Under Julian Nagelsmann, Germany has earned four points from their first two matches in League A Group 3. Meanwhile, Bosnia is in third place and still searching for their first win of the tournament.
After a tough quarter-final exit at home during the European Championships, Germany started their Nations League campaign with a bang, crushing Hungary 5-0 in their opener, with five different players scoring.
In their second match, they aimed to maintain a perfect record against the Netherlands but ended up with a 2-2 draw. Although they rallied to equalize after going down early, a late goal from Denzel Dumfries meant they had to settle for a point.
Despite this, Germany leads the group on goal difference, and a second-place finish would still secure a spot in the quarter-finals next March.
However, Germany's away form has been a concern; they've won only four of their last 13 matches outside their home turf. In fact, they’ve claimed victory in just one of their nine Nations League away games, managing four draws in their last outings. Still, Bosnia might not be the team to break that trend.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, meanwhile, has been fluctuating between League B and League A since the tournament began. Currently, they are in a two-horse race with Hungary to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group, which would lead to relegation. With only one point so far, Bosnia is just above Hungary on goal difference, having at least managed to score, unlike the Hungarians.
Their two goals came against the Netherlands in a 5-2 loss in their first match, followed by a goalless draw against Hungary that ended a rough streak of seven straight defeats.
Despite struggling in their Euro 2024 qualifiers, they have found some recent success at home in the Nations League, winning their last three matches there. However, they’ve never beaten Germany as an independent nation, with their last encounter resulting in a 3-1 loss in a friendly back in 2010.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz is dealing with a minor knee issue that has kept him out of the Germany squad for this month’s matches, joining four other players, including Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
David Raum, Benjamin Henrichs, and Robin Koch are also unavailable, which has led to call-ups for Robin Gosens, Kevin Schade, and uncapped players Jamie Leweling and Jonathan Burkardt.
This match will likely see at least one senior debut, as none of Germany’s three goalkeepers—Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nubel, and Janis Blaswich—have previously played for the national team. They’re also missing retired star Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is out with a long-term knee injury.
On the Bosnia side, coach Sergej Barbarez has only lost one player, 26-year-old midfielder Ifet Dakovac, who has yet to earn a senior cap, so his absence isn’t a major concern.
The Dragons will still rely on veteran striker Edin Dzeko, who, at 38, is playing strong for Fenerbahce, having scored nine goals in 13 appearances this season. He is expected to partner with Bundesliga forward Ermedin Demirovic from Stuttgart, while former Arsenal player Sead Kolasinac will lead the defense.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Gazibegovic, Kolasinac, Bicakcic, Katic, Dedic; Tahorivic, Hajradanovic; Basic; Demirovic, Dzeko
Germany possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Wirtz, Andrich, Gross, Gnabry; Undav, Burkardt
EXPERT PREDICTION
Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-3 Germany
Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann might be missing several key players due to injuries and retirements, but an underperforming Bosnia team isn’t likely to challenge them too much.
It’s hard to see anything but a comfortable win for Die Mannschaft, especially as they prepare for a big matchup against the Netherlands next Monday.