Overview
Germany showed absolute strength in Group 3 League A with a record of 4 unbeaten matches, including 3 wins. Before the 5th match, coach Julian Nagelsmann's team led the rankings with 10 points, scored a total of 10 goals and secured a place in the quarterfinals.
Nagelsmann's side only need a point against Bosnia & Herzegovina to secure top spot. However, given their class, they will certainly want to take all three points.
Bosnia & Herzegovina are in a deep crisis. They have lost 3 and drawn 1 in this year's Nations League and are bottom of the group with just 1 point.
Furthermore, they have gone through a series of 10 consecutive matches without knowing the taste of victory (losing 9). Coach Sergej Barbarez only took charge in April this year and has not won after 6 matches.
Not only is Germany in better form than Bosnia & Herzegovina, they also have a squad with many world-class stars. Nagelsmann has a squad that blends youth and experience, balanced in all lines.
Meanwhile, apart from 38-year-old veteran striker Edin Dzeko, Bosnia & Herzegovina's squad has no outstanding names.
The two teams have only faced each other three times before, with Germany yet to taste defeat. The first meeting was a 1-1 draw in 2002, but Germany won 3-1 at home in a friendly in 2010. In their most recent Nations League match this season, Germany also beat their opponents 2-1.
Human resources situation
Goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen remains injured and is sidelined along with Undav, David Raum, Jamie Leweling, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Niclas Fullkrug.
Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has been recalled to the squad, but faces competition for a starting spot from Serge Gnabry and Florian Wirtz.
On the other side of the front line, Bosnia & Herzegovina will be without a few players, including defenders Anel Ahmedhodzic and Sead Kolasinac due to injury. Rijeka Stjepan Radeljic and Nikola Katic are also absent, so the visitors' defense will be significantly weakened.
Expected lineup:
Germany: Nubel, Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstadt, Stiller, Andrich, Musiala, Wirtz, Gnabry, Kleindienst.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Vasilj, Dedic, Gazibegovic, Barisic, Bicakcic, Burnic, Gigovic, Huseinbasic, Basic, Demirovic, Dzeko.
The match between Germany and Bosnia & Herzegovina takes place at 2:45 a.m. on November 17 (Vietnam time).
