Lothar Matthäus and Mehmet Scholl push for a back-four and a return to the central midfield for Joshua Kimmich

Former Bayern Munich and Germany stars Lothar Matthäus and Mehmet Scholl did a back-and-forth for Bild and despite how these things usually turn out, the dup agreed on two primary points of controversy sutrounf Die Mannschaft:

1. Joachim Löw should employ a back-four because he has the personnel to play it.
2. Joshua Kimmich should play in the central midfield.

“Kimmich should go back to the six,” said Matthäus. “The gallantry that a Pogba or Kanté showed in France was missing in our center. I only see Kimmich, who can make his mark with his aggressiveness in this position.”

Scholl agreed with Matthäus and also said he thinks Germany is better suited to play a back-four, which would drop a defender and put a better player on the pitch — by having a midfielder effectively replace Robin Gosens.

“If you have players who are more suitable for the back four — then you play back four,” said Scholl.

Matthäus heartily supported this notion.

“Since Portugal only plays with the one top player, Ronaldo, I would go for a four-man back line. (Mats) Hummels and (Antonio) Rüdiger inside, (Matthias) Ginter on the right, (Marcel) Halstenberg on the left,” Matthäus said. “That way you gain a player in the midfield center.”