There were no real shock selections Tuesday when Joachim Löw announced his squad for Germany’s upcoming pair of Euro 2016 qualification matches, though Joachim Löw will have a pair of new faces among his crew during the international break.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Bellarabi, who rose to notoriety in the first match day of the season when he needed just nine seconds to score the fastest goal in Bundesliga history, was the only player in Löw’s current squad who would be a first-timer for Germany.
Recent reports had Bellarabi meeting with Morocco national coach Badou Zaki to discuss the rising Bundesliga star joining the home nation of his father, not long after it was reported that Ghana, for whom Bellarabi would also be eligible, was interested in the services of the 24-year-old.
But with the possibility of being capped by Germany now very much a reality, the Berlin-born Bellarabi appears to be ready to commit anew to his native land.
“This is a huge honor for me,” responded Bellarabi to the news of his nomination. “It is a dream come true.”
Newly appointed assistant coach Thomas Schneider, formerly of VfB Stuttgart, will also be making his first appearance since joining the national team as a replacement for Hans-Dieter Flick, who stepped down from his own coaching duties after the World Cup and now serves as the sporting director for the DFB.
And though Manuel Neuer is by no means a new face for Germany, with newly appointed captain Bastian Schweinsteiger unavailable due to injury, everyone’s favorite sweeper-keeper will wear the armband for the first time since being appointed as Sherrif Schweini’s deputy.
Of the 20 names called into service, 16 were on the roster for Brazil this summer. Max Kruse of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Sebastian Rudy of 1899 Hoffenheim, and Antonio Rüdiger of VfB Stuttgart join Bellarabi as relative outsiders to the world champion-laden collection of talent.
Between the two matches, Löw’s squad will meet the other two Group D members to also open their Euro 2016 campaign with victories. Germany first face current group leader Poland Saturday in Warsaw. Poland blew by Gibraltar 7:1, powered in part by a four-goal performance from Robert Lewandowski, who will be facing as many as four of his FC Bayern München teammates when his national side hosts the match at the “10th Anniversary Stadium.”
Three days later, Veltins Arena will provide a friendlier atmosphere for die Nationalelf when the Republic of Ireland, who opened qualification in Tblisi with a 1:2 win over Georgia, come calling for their shot at the world champions.
Players are called to meet in Frankfurt Monday night in order to be ready for the initial team training Tuesday.
Goal
Manuel Neuer (Bayern München) – 58 caps
Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund) – 4 caps
Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96) – 3 caps
Defense
Jerome Boateng (Bayern München) – 48 caps
Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund) – 4 caps
Matthias Ginter (Borussia Dortmund) – 4 caps
Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) – 36 caps
Shkodran Mustafi (FC Valencia) – 4 caps
Antonio Rüdiger (VfB Stuttgart) – 2 caps
Sebastian Rudy (1899 Hoffenheim) – 4 caps
Midfield
Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen) – 0 caps
Julian Draxler (FC Schalke 04) – 14 caps
Christoph Kramer (Borussia Mönchengladbach) – 9 caps
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) – 54 caps
Thomas Müller (Bayern München) – 58 caps
Mesut Özil (FC Arsenal) – 61 caps
Lukas Podolski (FC Arsenal) – 117 caps
André Schürrle (FC Chelsea) – 43 caps
Attack
Mario Götze (Bayern München) – 37 caps
Max Kruse (Borussia Mönchengladbach) – 6 caps
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