Spain vs Germany: Huge blow for Spain, Pedri subbed with injury

8’ — Sub: Dani Olmo subbed on for the injured Pedri, who seems to have been targeted by Toni Kroos.

Kickoff: We’re underway!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Julian Nagelsmann has opted to mix things up, with Emre Can added to the starting XI next to Toni Kroos. Leroy Sané, meanwhile, takes the place of Florian Wirtz, while Niclas Füllkrug continues to take a back seat to Kai Havertz. It’s a risk — will it pay off for the Germans?

Euro 2024 is already a success, as far as the Germans are concerned. Before the tournament, the goal was to reach the quarter-finals — Julian Nagelsmann and his team have passed that bar with flying colors. This makes Euro 2024 the most successful tournament for Germany since Euro 2016, which was almost a decade ago.

Getting here was not easy, though recent scorelines may hide that fact. Germany had to find a new way to win and stick with it — which, to Nagelsmann’s credit, he has pulled off superbly thus far. Presumably learning lessons from his stint at Bayern Munich, the 36-year-old has found his best XI and stuck with it. It’s brought consistency back to the German game, allowing them to get this far.

Against Spain, however, any weaknesses the Germans may have will be ruthlessly exposed. Key players like Jamal Musiala and Toni Kroos — linchpins of the attack and midfield respectively — will be targeted. Nagelsmann either must look for a new angle or push his team to another level entirely. If not, then the German dream of a European final on home soil will end prematurely, with only the bare minimum being satisfied.

Can they do it?

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our preview podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

Match Info

Location: MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany

Time: 6:00 pm local time, 12:00 pm EST

TV/streaming: Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

1. If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re mostly very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
2. Use the on-screen “Refresh comments” button to periodically load new comments.
3. Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
4. Here at BFW we celebrate every goal like they do in the stadium: with a chant. The goal chants are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
5. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news, podcasts or something completely different, we have it all.