Germany is on an upward trajectory following a string of disappointing results this year, and their new head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, aims to set a new course, commencing with a friendly against the USA this Saturday.

In 2023, Germany faced a challenging run with a record of 2 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss, subsequent to their group stage exit at the World Cup. This sequence of results led to the departure of Hansi Flick. However, the most recent soccer odds favor Germany to secure a victory against the USA.

With Coach Nagelsmann making his debut, the German team is highly motivated to win and foster a sense of euphoria. Having traveled on Monday, jetlag won't pose an issue. The players are resolute in achieving a positive result, recognizing the significance of this game in initiating a new era with confidence. Player by player, the USA is a team that Germany must defeat due to their superior quality.

The year has been challenging for the Germans, suffering losses to Belgium, Poland, Colombia, and Japan. However, striker Niclas Fullkrug has emerged as a beacon of hope. Fullkrug, who recently joined Borussia Dortmund and has already netted twice for the club, showcased his prowess during the World Cup in Qatar and has excelled in the central striker role since then.

Despite a thigh injury sidelining him for last month’s friendlies, Fullkrug has scored four international goals this year, including a double against Peru, bringing his Germany tally to seven in nine games overall. He poses a clear threat to the USA defense and is likely to be a primary penalty-taker for the visitors.

Surrounded by creative playmakers like Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, and the ageless Thomas Muller, Fullkrug is expected to have ample opportunities. Nagelsmann is likely to adopt an aggressive 4-2-2-2 formation to maximize the team’s attacking strengths.

A 2-1 victory over France last month, with sports director Rudy Voller temporarily in charge, was a positive sign for the Germans and marked the end of a three-game losing streak. Although the Euro 2024 hosts are exempt from the qualifying campaign, time is of the essence to build momentum for that tournament.

However, it won't be an easy task against a USA team on a 13-game unbeaten run, including Concacaf Nations League glory and comfortable September wins over Uzbekistan and Oman. This clash with Germany represents the hosts’ toughest test yet.

The USMNT is grappling with injuries to key players not present in the camp, but they can still field a strong lineup. PSV star Malik Tillman's absence has been filled by America’s forward Alex Zendejas.

In goal, Matt Turner returns, with Tim Ream and Chris Richards as centerbacks. Sergiño Dest will assume the right-back position, while Joe Scally replaces Antonee Robinson at left back.

In the midfield, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah will operate as central midfielders, supported by three attacking players. Christian Pulisic will be positioned on the left wing, with Tim Weah on the right wing. Brenden Aaronson starts at central attacking mid, with expectations of Gio Reyna replacing him in the second half as he eases back into the fold after injury. Up top, Folarin Balogun is likely to play for the first 45-60 minutes, with Ricardo Pepi replacing him.

Under Gregg Berhalter, who has returned as head coach after six months away, the USA team has displayed strong organization and the capability to compete with top-tier European nations. This fixture marks a significant step up after friendlies against relative minnows last month, and the hosts can draw confidence from notable victories over Mexico and Canada this year.

For Germany, the year has been a mixed bag with goals drying up during a rough start to the summer. Nevertheless, they have managed to score two or more goals four times in 2023. Anticipating a fresh start under Nagelsmann to unleash their attacking potential, this team remains highly talented and experienced.

Regardless of the challenging phase, securing a win or draw against such a team would mark a significant achievement for the US. Behrens, in particular, is a sleeper player with a knack for losing his mark in the box, and his headers are lethal. On the other end, Rudiger and any center back playing alongside him pose a formidable defense. A multiple-goal performance by the US, regardless of the outcome, would represent a major step forward.

在经历了今年一连串令人失望的结果后，德国队正处于上升的轨道上，他们的新任主教练朱利安·纳格尔斯曼(Julian Nagelsmann)打算开辟一条新的道路，从本周六与美国队的友谊赛开始。

2023年，德国队在世界杯小组赛出局后，以2胜4平1负的战绩面临挑战。这一系列的结果导致了Hansi Flick的离开。然而，最近的足球赔率倾向于德国赢得对美国的胜利。

随着纳格尔斯曼教练的首次亮相，德国队充满了获胜的动力，并营造了一种欣快感。周一已经旅行了，时差不会构成问题。球员们决心取得积极的结果，认识到这场比赛在开启新时代方面的重要性，并充满信心。从球员的角度来看，美国是一支德国必须击败的球队，因为他们的实力超强。

这一年对德国人来说是充满挑战的一年，他们输给了比利时、波兰、哥伦比亚和日本。然而，前锋尼古拉斯·富尔克鲁格已经成为了希望的灯塔。富勒克鲁格最近加盟多特蒙德，已经为俱乐部梅开二度，在卡塔尔世界杯上展示了他的实力，从那时起他就在中锋的位置上表现出色。

尽管上个月大腿受伤缺席了友谊赛，但富勒克鲁格今年已经打进了4个国家队进球，其中包括对秘鲁的梅开二度，这使他在德国队的9场比赛中打进了7球。他对美国队的防守构成了明显的威胁，很可能成为主罚球员。

在贾马尔·穆西亚拉、勒罗伊·萨内和不老的托马斯·穆勒等富有创造力的组织者的包围下，富勒克鲁格有望获得充足的机会。纳格尔斯曼可能会采用一种进攻型的4-2-2阵型，以最大限度地发挥球队的进攻优势。

上个月德国队在体育总监鲁迪·沃勒(Rudy Voller)的临时指导下以2比1战胜了法国队，这对德国队来说是一个积极的信号，标志着德国队结束了三连败。尽管2024年欧洲杯的主办国没有资格参加预选赛，但时间是为这场比赛建立势头的关键。

然而，面对13场不败的美国队并非易事，其中包括中北美和加勒比地区国家联赛的荣誉，以及9月份对乌兹别克斯坦和阿曼的轻松胜利。与德国的这场冲突是东道主迄今为止最严峻的考验。

USMNT正在努力解决关键球员不在训练营的伤病，但他们仍然可以派出强大的阵容。埃因霍温球星马利克·蒂尔曼的缺阵由美国前锋亚历克斯·曾德哈斯填补。

在球门，马特·特纳回归，蒂姆·雷姆和克里斯·理查兹担任中后卫。Sergiño德斯特将担任右后卫的位置，而乔·斯卡利将取代安东尼·罗宾逊出任左后卫。

在中场，韦斯顿·麦肯尼和尤努斯·穆萨将担任中场，由三名进攻球员支持。克里斯蒂安·普利西奇将被安排在左翼，蒂姆·维阿在右翼。布伦登·阿隆森在进攻中路首发，期待吉奥·雷纳在下半场接替他，因为他伤愈复出。在场上，巴洛贡很可能会打满前45-60分钟，由里卡多·佩皮代替。

在离开六个月后重新担任主教练的格雷格·伯哈尔特(Gregg Berhalter)的带领下，美国队表现出了强大的组织能力和与欧洲顶级球队竞争的能力。这场比赛标志着继上个月对阵相对弱小的友谊赛之后的重大进步，东道主可以从今年对墨西哥和加拿大的显著胜利中获得信心。

对于德国队来说，今年是一个喜忧参半的年份，在夏季艰难的开局中，进球很少。尽管如此，他们在2023年有4次打进2球以上。期待在纳格尔斯曼的带领下有一个全新的开始，释放他们的进攻潜力，这支球队仍然有很高的天赋和经验。

不管这一阶段的挑战如何，对这样一支球队取得胜利或平局，对美国来说都将是一项重大成就。尤其是贝伦斯，他是一个善于在禁区内失去盯防的潜伏球员，他的头球是致命的。在另一端，鲁迪格和他身边的任何中后卫都构成了强大的防守。无论结果如何，美国的多目标表现都将是向前迈出的一大步。