Germany vs. Scotland preview: Team news and predicted lineups

The wait is finally over: This Friday, June 14, Euro 2024 officially kicks off in Germany with the host nation welcoming Scotland to the Allianz Arena for the opening match at 21:00 CET.

Having failed to impress in their two friendlies ahead of the tournament, Germany will be fired up to improve and get the tournament off to a good start.

First, they drew 0-0 with Ukraine in a game in which they dominated play but failed to take their chances. Then they unconvincingly came back to beat Greece 2-1 after a Manuel Neuer error in the first half led to the visitors' opener.

Neuer's mistake has sparked debate over his position as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper, with head coach Julian Nagelsmann quick to back the 38-year-old veteran.

Captain Ilkay Gündogan has also come under fire from the German fans after failing to impress against Ukraine and Greece.

Despite his side's recent struggles, Nagelsmann is expected to stick with the starting eleven he named against Ukraine in the opening match.

A 4-2-3-1 formation will see Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rüdiger and Maximilian Mittelstädt form a four-man backline in front of Neuer.

Toni Kroos and Robert Andrich play together in the center, with Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gündogan, and Florian Wirtz forming a triangle in front of them.

As recently announced by Nagelsmann, Kai Havertz will begin the tournament as Germany's starting striker, with Niclas Füllkrug providing an alternative off the bench.

Aleksandar Pavlovic has been forced to pull out of the German squad ahead of the first game due to tonsillitis, with Emre Can called up as his replacement.

As for Scotland, they've also played two friendlies ahead of the Euros, first beating minnows Gibraltar 2-0 and then drawing 2-2 with Finland after squandering a two-goal lead.

Andy Robertson and Lawrence Shankland were forced to pull out of Scotland's training session on Monday, but should be fit to face Germany, according to assistant coach John Carver.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke has already had to deal with a number of injuries in the build-up to the tournament, with Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Lewis Ferguson, Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak all ruled out of the Euros.

Click here to see our predicted Germany vs. Scotland lineups.