How will Germany line up against the Netherlands?

Team news

Coach Jogi Löw said today at the pre-game press conference that if Marco Reus is still in pain from the foot injury that prevented him from playing against Russia, Löw will not risk him against the Netherlands. Given how well 19-year-old Kai Havertz has dazzled at the 10 spot in Reus’s absence, Germany may be none the worse for it anyway. Jonas Hector meanwhile seems fit to play at left-back.

Löw said nice things about veterans Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, and Thomas Müller. All three of them will probably play — Müller is on the cusp of playing in his 100th game for Germany. Löw will probably give him a chance to earn it, although whether that means he starts the game is another question. Müller has had a target on his back both for club and country. He has an in-form Serge Gnabry (in-form at least for the national team) standing in his way on the right wing.

As for the formation, Löw said he could line the team up with a back three or a back four. Here is my best guess how that might look:

Of course, Löw being Löw, he might add a few center-backs and field a lineup like this:

Wouldn’t that be special?