Germany vs Costa Rica World Cup lineups, starting 11 for Group E match at Qatar 2022

MORE: World Cup Group E table, standings 2022

Germany vs Costa Rica lineups

Leroy Sane is one of many "good options", Germany coach Hansi Flick says, after the livewire winger was forced to miss that defeat to Japan in Germany's opening game.

"I’m not feeling any pressure at all and I’m convinced that we are on the right track," added Flick. "I have the feeling that we are getting better as a team with every training session.

"We want to take hold of the game as quickly as possible to put pressure on the other game [in the group], but we know that it will be difficult against a side that will likely be set up defensively. I would like to see the same attitude that was on show against Spain.

"I’m expecting a defensive [Costa Rica] side, as was also the case against Japan. It’s important for us to have a good solution to this."

 

 

 

 

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Costa Rica are seeking a place in the Round of 16 for a third time in their history, having gone furthest when they reached the quarterfinals in 2014.

"We did a good job," midfielder Gerson Torres justifiably reflected of their somewhat unexpected 1-0 win over Japan.

"When we recovered the ball we tried to hold it as much as possible; it is important to take the ball away from these teams that have very high ball possession.

"We talked about all this after the [7-0 defeat] against Spain. Germany are an explosive team with fast players, so we must be well [organised in defence] and, when they leave spaces, try to take advantage of them."

MORE: Costa Rica vs Germany prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets

Germany starting 11

Given that Germany's defence performed admirably against Spain, we can expect to see a similar line up against Los Ticos. Hansi Flick opted to make only one change, Leroy Sane coming in for Thilo Kehrer, a switch that might mean Joshua Kimmich dropping to rightback.

Thomas Muller was again preferred up front to Niclas Fullkrug, the man who scored for Germany against Spain.

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan was the only non-Bayern player in the front six.

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Neuer (GK) — 6-Kimmich, 15-Sule, 2-Rudiger, 3-Raum — 21-Gundogan, 8-Goretzka — 10-Gnabry, 14-Musiala, 19-Sane — 13-Muller

• Injured: None
• Suspended: None

Costa Rica starting 11

For Costa Rica, coach Luis Fernando Suarez made three changes to the side who won against Japan on matchday 2.

Juan Pablo Vargas, Brandon Aguilera and Johan Venegas came in for Francisco Calvo, Gerson Torres and Anthony Contreras. Keysher Fuller, who scored that goal against Japan, starts against the four-time champions.

(5-3-2, right to left): 1. Navas (GK) — 4-Fuller, 6-Duarte, 18-Waston, 3-Vargas, 8-Oviedo — 5-Borges, 17-Tejeda, 20-Aguilera — 12-Campbell, 11-Venegas

• Injured: None
• Suspended: Calvo

MORE: Bothroyd: Japan almost blew World Cup chance, but can still do it against Spain

Germany vs Costa Rica World Cup squads

Here are the names on Germany and Costa Rica's World Cup squads in Qatar (caps correct as of the start of Qatar 2022):

Germany

Costa Rica