International Friendly: The Hosts Keep Busy with a Visit from Turkey 

Germany vs Turkey

With seven months to go until the kickoff of Euro 2024 in Germany, the hosts still have plenty of work to do to justify their position as one of the tournament favourites, as they face Turkey in an International Friendly. 

Germany, one of the powerhouses of world football, have been through a fallow period, and it will be 10 years since their last triumph, the 2014 World Cup. Since then, they have failed to make it past the group stages at the World Cup and went out of Euro 2020 at the Round of 16, but expect them to produce a handful International Friendly 2023 highlights.

Julian Nagelsmann took over as Germany boss in September, and he hopes to usher in a new era of prosperity for his nation, but the Euro 2024 betting odds have already placed the hosts behind France and England in the running, and the International Friendly 2023 odds have Germany as the favourites in their match against Turkey. The new manager has plenty of young talent to work with, and he has a strong coaching pedigree, so it’s going to be an interesting few months in Germany, starting with a useful test against Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey.

Ranked 43rd in the world by FIFA, 31 places behind their hosts, Turkey are upwardly mobile; they have already qualified for Euro 2024 and have real quality in their ranks, and some have Bundesliga experience.

Talking Points

Germany’s attacking intent

The Germans can keep an eye on the Euro 2024 updates in comfort, having already qualified as hosts. And that may be a blessing when you take a look at their performances over the past 12 months or so. After being dumped out of the 2022 World Cup at the group stage, Germany spent 2023 playing friendlies and started with a run of defeats, but, since September, they have started to pick up, with wins over France and the USA and a draw with Mexico.

Nagelsmann has already instilled an attacking intent in the team and he has made use of the Bayer Leverkusen pair of Jonas Hoffman and Florian Wirtz, who have linked up brilliantly for their club as Die Werkself have set the pace in the Bundesliga. Wirtz is only 20 years of age and he has already scored 17 goals in 88 appearances in an attacking midfield role for his club, and his confidence on the ball and quick turn of pace opens up gaps in opposition defences. 

Alongside Wirtz, Leroy Same of Bayern, who has forged a brilliant relationship with Harry Kane, is in the form of his life and he will take his place on the wing, with club mate Jamal Musiala also in the running.

Borussia Dortmund’s Niclas Fullkrug has scored in both of Nagelsmann’s opening matches, and he is likely to continue as the target man, ahead of the veteran Thomas Muller.

Captained by Barca’s Ilkay Gundogan, who has goals in him too, this is a team that can score plenty once they get into their stride.

All eyes on Calhanoglu

Turkey have already qualified for Euro 2024, leading Group D by six clear points over Wales and Croatia. They have one more match to play, away to Wales next week and so will have a big say on who will join them in Germany next summer.

Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu will be the player most of the fans in the Olympiastadion will be watching. The Turkey captain had three seasons at Bayer Leverkusen before switching to Serie A, first with AC Milan and now with I Nerazzurri.

He’s a midfielder by trade but Calhanoglu loves to support the attack and, as one of the best dead ball specialists in world football, he has scored 17 goals in 82 international matches. Borussia Dortmund’s Salih Ozcan will line up alongside Calhanoglu in the middle and he will be responsible for breaking up German attacks. 

In defence, TSG Hoffenheim’s Ozan Kabak has recovered from a shoulder injury and he could take his place alongside young Galatasaray star Kaan Ayhan, who was a product of the Schalke youth academy. And Premier League fans will hope to see former Everton striker Cenk Tosun who has scored 20 goals in 50 games for his country.

History

These two teams have met seven times over the past quarter of a century and Germany have just edged the head to heads, winning three to Turkey’s two and there have been two draws. 

In terns of recent form Germany have won two and drawn one of their last three games but lost the three before that sequence. All Germany’s games have been friendlies while Turkey have been in Euro 2024 action and the visitors are on a winning streak of three away from home and they have won four, drawn one and lost one over the last six games. 

Betting Tip

Germany are strong favourites to win this challenge at SBOTOP odds of 1.39, with Turkey at 4.75 and the draw at 4.26.

Both teams have played out games with four or more goals, on three or their last six outings and I can see a free-scoring game at the Olympiastadion on Saturday.  

 

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