Overview

• The Germany coach set a clear target of six points from Luxembourg in Sinsheim on Friday and Northern Ireland in Belfast three days later.
• Germany trail Slovakia by three points in Group A and only the group winner qualifies directly, with March playoffs the fallback route.
• A 24-man squad convenes in Herzogenaurach under a simplified, form-based approach that prioritizes game-by-game execution.
• Nico Schlotterbeck has been recalled to stabilize the back line, with Nagelsmann calling him an extremely important player as fitness is managed.
• Omitted forward Nicolo Tresoldi told Sky Italia he would listen to Italy, while Nick Woltemade’s strong Newcastle start contrasts with Florian Wirtz’s early struggles at Liverpool.