An embarrassing display from the reigning champions saw them not make it out of a group that featured South Korea, Sweden and Mexico where the Germans finished dead last and crashing out of the 2018 World Cup.
Unfortunately, Mesut Ozil was made a scapegoat and faced with an onslaught of racial abuse forcing the playmaker to quit from international football.
There were no particular players that played worse than others, more so the whole team from front to back. The team remained heavily unchanged from their World Cup win back in 2014. So how do the Germans plan to bounce back in the 2020 Euro’s?
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Manuel Neuer (OVR 90 – 88)
Position: GK
Age: 33
Club: Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer has been one of the top goalkeepers in the world for a long time but has been on the decline in recent years. The 33-year-old is likely to drop to an 88 overall, his performance in the 2018 World Cup was something that may haunt the legendary goalkeeper. He is likely to retain his place as first choice through his experience and leadership over the years.
Joshua Kimmich (OVR 86 – 86)
Position: RB, CM, CDM
Age: 24
Club: Bayern Munich
Versatile right back Joshua Kimmich has proven to be a consistent performer whether it is in defence or midfield. The German international provided 19 assists across all competitions and will play a key role as Bayern look to fend off Borussia Dortmund once more.
His first World Cup was one to forget if he wants to be categorized alongside his predecessor Phillip Lahm. Hopefully, he puts in a better performance as the Germans strive for a better finish in the Euro’s.
Niklas Sule (OVR 84 – 85)
Position: CB
Age: 23
Club: Bayern Munich
Giant German defender Niklas Sule managed 42 appearances in all competitions, adding two goals along the way. The 6’5″ Bayern centre half has shown his quality since joining the German champions and will continue his development with an upgrade to his 84 overall expected on FIFA 20. The decline in Jerome Boateng gives Sule an opportunity to show Joachim Low how good he really is.
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Jonathan Tah (OVR 83 – 84)
Position: CB
Age: 23
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Tah is comfortably the best player in an otherwise leaky defence and is arguably Bayer Leverkusen’s second most valuable player. He’s physical, solid at the back and good with his feet. With Hummels out of contention, this new look German defence may be the key ingredient in German success in 2020.
Nico Schulz (OVR 81 – 82)
Position: LWB, LB, LM
Age: 26
Club: Borussia Dortmund
The flying wing-back is likely to play in a more conventional left back position but with nine assists last season, expect him to continue to bomb down the left flank. The left back position has not been set in stone unlike the right back position, Schulz will need to remain consistent if he wants Low to pick him for Euro 2020.
Leon Goretzka (OVR 83 – 84)
Position: CM, CAM, CDM
Age: 23
Club: Bayern Munich
With fierce competition for places in midfield, all-action midfielder Leon Goretzka should partner Thiago in midfield for Bayern next season. His potential has not gone unnoticed by Low and will probably play all the games in the Euro 2020.
Toni Kroos (OVR 90 – 88)
Position: CM
Age: 29
Club: Real Madrid
German midfielder Toni Kroos is a smooth operator, but many questioned whether he had the legs to keep up his high standards. Kroos will look to prove any doubters wrong this season as Real Madrid attempt to challenge for the league title once more. A poor season by his standards will see his overall drop to 88 on FIFA 20.
Serge Gnabry (OVR 82 – 84)
Position: RM, LM, RW, LW
Age: 23
Club: Bayern Munich
Once dubbed not good enough for West Brom, Bayern’s Player of the Season Serge Gnabry showed what he is capable of last season. The German international winger will want to build on his breakthrough campaign and has the potential to be a world class attacking threat. Gnabry will see an increase to 84 overall on FIFA 20 after his impressive season for club and country.
Marco Reus (OVR 88 – 88)
Position: CAM, LM, ST
Age: 30
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Marco Reus was a man re-born last season, taking the Dortmund captaincy and firing the club within touching distance of the Bundesliga trophy. The German international moved into an integral CAM role during the campaign, and his output rocketed. With Ozil & Thomas Muller no longer in the picture. Reus will orchestrate the attack with pace and finesse that he carries at the Signal Iduna Park.
Julian Brandt (OVR 82 – 84)
Position: LM, RM, CAM
Age: 23
Club: Borussia Dortmund
A big money move to Dortmund will be under the watchful eye of Joachim Low, his potential and high quality season last year is enough to give him a shot at starting for the Germans in the Euro 2020 championship.
Timo Werner (OVR 84 – 86)
Position: ST
Age: 23
Club: RB Leipzig
The hottest striker in the Bundesliga needs to prove himself on the national stage. His impressive goal record signifies he can carry Germany to glory. However, his poor World Cup campaign needs to be improved on if he is to remain as Germany’s goalscorer.
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On The Bench
Bernd Leno (84 – 85) and Marc-andre Ter Stegen (85 – 85) will jostle for the number two role and look to take over from Neuer.
Jonas Hector (OVR 79 – 79) will try to push Schulz out of contention. Antonio Rudiger (OVR 83 – 83) Chelsea’s main man and Matthias Ginter (OVR 81 – 81) will be on the bench if the new starting partnership breaks down.
Marvin Plattenhardt (OVR 78 – 78) and Thilo Kehrer (OVR 78 – 78) only need to get past the German prodigy that is Kimmich to get a start in the team.
Leroy Sane (OVR 86 – 86) was snubbed at the World Cup and may not start for the Germans until he is older. Ilkay Gundogan (OVR 85 – 85) and Emre Can (OVR 82 – 82) will replace any poor performance from Kroos or Goretzka. Sami Khedira (OVR 85 – 85) his experience is something he has over most of the starting lineup but he doesn’t get enough game time at Juventus to justify a start. Julian Draxler (OVR 83 – 83) has failed to light up Ligue 1 which may cost him a chance at a starting place in a heavily contested German midfield.
Mark Uth (OVR 80 – 80) and Mario Gomez (OVR 81 – 80) will need their shooting boots on at all times as Germany need a player that performed like Miroslav Klose did on the International stage.
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