The semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Nations League kick off as Germany host France at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

The visitors will be looking to avenge their defeat on penalties to Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women’s Euros just a few months ago.

With the first leg being played in Germany, the French will be hoping to set themselves up nicely for the second leg in their homeland.

The two met at this stage in the 23/24 edition of the competition, where France emerged victorious on that occasion courtesy of goals from Kadidiatou Diani and Sakina Karchaoui.

Historically, Germany have enjoyed more success in this fixture, but having developed into a formidable looking team in recent years who arguably should have gone further in the Euros, France will certainly fancy their chances.

Germany:

Head coach of Germany, Christian Wueck, has certainly not shied away from the fact that he does not have as strong a squad as he was hoping for at his disposal.

Lena Oberdorf was unable to make a return to international duty after suffering an ACL injury. Ann-Katrin Berger, Rebecca Knaak, Sophia Kleinherne, and Giovanna Hoffmann are also out of action with injuries.

The 52-year-old admitted that the two-legged fixture would be a tough one, with multiple players not as ready as he had hoped ahead of this Euros quarter-final rematch.

This news does provide some of the less regular starters to stake a claim for more regular minutes for their nation, a positive that Wueck highlighted whilst speaking to the media.

This has been proved with three previously uncapped players being called up to duty, including Laura Dick, Camilla Küver and Shekiera Martinez.

France:

Wassa Sangaré and Kysha Sylla have been called up by France for the first time. The duo played a big part in the success of the French youth ranks and will now be looking to impact the senior team.

Laurina Fazer and Inès Benyahia also return to international duty after being sidelined for a considerable amount of time. Following the international retirements of Sandie Toletti and Amel Majri, Laurent Bonadei will also have the task of filling that void.

It is a very young French squad with 8 of the 26 players being under the age of 23.

Germany:

Johannes; Kett, Küver, Minge, Gwinn; Nüsken, Senß; Bühl, Anyomi, Brand; Schüller

France:

Peyraud-Magnin; Almeida, Mbock , Lakrar, Bacha; Geyoro, Jean-François, Karchaoui; Cascarino, Katoto, Diani

Germany – Sjoeke Nüsken

The French midfield is one of the most complete in the women’s game, therefore meaning that Germany require a strong presence in midfield themselves if they want to counteract this.

Sjoeke Nüsken will be key in helping her nation do just this. She is a familiar face for Bonadei’s side, finding the back of the net against them in the Euros a few months back.

The midfielder will also have a personal point to prove. She will be hoping to produce a high-quality performance to convince Sonia Bompastor to give her more minutes in the WSL; the Chelsea head coach will likely be watching.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto:

Marie-Antoinette Katoto has always been lethal in the French frontline, and will certainly be hungry for revenge against a side that she was not able to make an impact against in the Euros.

With 40 goals in her 59 appearances for her nation, her goalscoring pedigree is there for everyone to see. Against a German defence that has been hit by injury, you would not bet against Katoto.

The striker has also had a decent start to life at OL Lyonnes, having moved from Paris-Saint Germain in the summer. Three goal involvements in three Première Ligue starts make for good reading for France.