Six debutants in the German squad for games against France and the Netherlands | International football

Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich, Waldemar Anthony, Maximilian Mittelstaedt, Deniz Undav (all from Stuttgart), Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) and Jan-Niklas Beste (Heidenheim) are the new additions to German coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for the preparatory games against France and the Netherlands, the last before the 2024 European Football Championship to be played in Germany.

Defensive midfielder Pavlovic, 19, has stood out in Bayern Munich’s defensive midfield and is one of the surprises on the squad list, which does not include his teammates Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry or Mats Hummels, from Borussia Dortmund. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), who recently announced his availability to return to the German national team, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who returned to the stadiums after a long absence due to injury, were called up by Nagelsmann, who replaced Hansi Flick in September last year.

The German coach has not had an easy time in office either, especially due to the defeats against Austria (away) and Turkey (at home) in November. “After the Turkey game we knew something had to change. We want to see players with a different profile. The door is not closed to anyone.”

Germany face France away on March 23, hosting the Netherlands three days later.