Germany vs Portugal Nations League Preview

Following the Champions League Final on Saturday, the Allianz Arena in Munich is about to once again become the epicentre of European football this Wednesday, June 4, 2025, as Germany and Portugal clash in the UEFA Nations League semi-final. This is no ordinary match. It’s a heavyweight bout between two footballing titans, each with a point to prove after uneven performances in recent years.

Germany, the hosts, are riding a wave of confidence under Julian Nagelsmann, unbeaten in their last eight matches and hungry to claim their first major silverware since 2014. Portugal, led by the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo, are looking to channel their 2019 Nations League triumph and shake off the ghosts of a lackluster Euro 2024.

With a spot in the final on the line and the world watching, this game promises drama, flair, and maybe a little chaos. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, from team news to key players and what’s at stake.

Team News: Germany’s Injury Woes vs. Portugal’s Full Arsenal

Germany’s preparations for this semi-final have been anything but smooth. Julian Nagelsmann is dealing with a laundry list of absentees that would make any manager sweat. Key defenders Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck are sidelined, leaving the backline looking shakier than a house of cards in a windstorm. Add to that the absence of attacking stars Jamal Musiala, Tim Kleindienst, and Kai Havertz, who’s nursing a hamstring issue, and Germany’s depth is being tested. Inter Milan’s Yann Bisseck, fresh off a Champions League final defeat to PSG, is also out with a thigh injury, further thinning the ranks.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Nagelsmann has called up Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade and Tom Bischof for their first senior caps, injecting some fresh blood into the squad. Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, set to earn his 100th cap, will anchor the team as captain, with Florian Wirtz expected to shoulder the creative load in Musiala’s absence.

Portugal, on the other hand, are walking into Munich with a fully fit squad, which feels like a minor miracle in modern football. Roberto Martinez has no reported injuries, meaning he can unleash his full arsenal of attacking weapons. The inclusion of 18-year-old Porto prodigy Rodrigo Mora, who scored seven goals in his last nine club matches, adds an exciting wildcard to an already stacked roster.

Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40 and still defying Father Time, will lead the line, backed by the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao. Martinez’s biggest headache might be deciding who to leave on the bench, given the embarrassment of riches at his disposal. This contrast in team news sets the stage for a fascinating tactical battle: Germany’s patched-up unit against Portugal’s loaded deck.

Key Players: The Game-Changers to Watch

Florian Wirtz (Germany)
With Musiala out, all eyes are on Bayer Leverkusen’s 22-year-old maestro. Wirtz has been a revelation in the Nations League, racking up six goal involvements in six matches this campaign. His ability to glide past defenders and pick out killer passes makes him Germany’s creative heartbeat. If Portugal’s midfield gives him space, Wirtz could turn the game on its head. Expect him to operate in the No. 10 role, pulling the strings behind the striker and looking to exploit any gaps in Portugal’s defense.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Is there anything left to say about CR7? At 40, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s talisman, leading the Nations League in goals this season with six in seven matches. His 220th cap for Portugal is a testament to his longevity, but it’s his knack for big moments that makes him dangerous. Germany have historically been a bogey team for him, with Ronaldo yet to beat them in a competitive match. If he’s going to break that duck, he’ll need to be at his clinical best against a depleted German backline.

Joshua Kimmich (Germany)
The Bayern Munich star is the glue holding Germany together. Playing his 100th game for Die Mannschaft, Kimmich’s versatility and leadership will be crucial. Whether he’s dictating play from midfield or slotting in at right-back, his energy and tactical nous are non-negotiable. He’ll likely be tasked with keeping Bruno Fernandes quiet, a matchup that could decide the game’s tempo.

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
The Manchester United captain is Portugal’s midfield engine, combining relentless pressing with pinpoint playmaking. His ability to find Ronaldo and Leao with incisive passes could stretch Germany’s makeshift defense. Fernandes’ knack for late runs into the box adds another layer of threat, and he’ll be eager to prove himself after Portugal’s Euro 2024 disappointment.

PORTUGAL are through to the Nations League semi-finals! ???

They completed a stunning comeback vs Denmark and will now face Germany. ?

Can Ronaldo & Co. go all the way? ? pic.twitter.com/f0FNimgR1L

— 365Scores (@365Scores) March 23, 2025

Recent Form: Momentum Meets Resilience

Germany have been a juggernaut at home, unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions. Their Nations League campaign has been particularly impressive, with 23 goals scored in their last eight games, including a thrilling 5-4 aggregate win over Italy in the quarter-finals. Nagelsmann’s high-pressing, versatile system has turned Germany into a scoring machine, even if their defense has shown occasional cracks. A 5-0 thrashing of Hungary and a 1-0 win over the Netherlands highlight their ability to dominate and grind out results.

Portugal’s path to the semi-finals has been less straightforward but no less impressive. After a rocky Euro 2024, where they lost to Georgia and needed penalties to beat Slovenia before falling to France, Martinez’s side found their groove in the Nations League group stage.

They went unbeaten against Croatia, Scotland, and Poland, scoring 13 goals, and showed resilience in overturning a first-leg loss to Denmark with a 5-2 aggregate victory in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess and the emergence of young talents like Mora have given Portugal a balanced, dangerous edge.

Tactical Breakdown: Chess Match in Munich

Nagelsmann’s Germany thrives on intensity and adaptability. Expect a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Wirtz roaming behind a lone striker, likely Stuttgart’s Woltemade or Deniz Undav, given the injury crisis. Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic will anchor the midfield, tasked with disrupting Portugal’s rhythm while feeding Wirtz and wingers like Leroy Sane or Serge Gnabry. The absence of Rudiger and Schlotterbeck means Jonathan Tah and Waldemar Anton will likely form the center-back pairing, a duo that will need to be at their sharpest to contain Ronaldo and Leao.

Portugal, under Martinez, are likely to line up in a 4-3-3, with Diogo Costa in goal, a back four of Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, and Nuno Mendes, and a midfield trio of Ruben Neves, Vitinha, and Fernandes. Up top, Ronaldo will spearhead the attack, flanked by Leao and either Bernardo Silva or Diogo Jota. Martinez’s game plan will hinge on quick transitions and exploiting Germany’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly on the counter.

The battle between Portugal’s attacking trident and Germany’s makeshift backline could be the defining factor.

Historical Context: Germany’s Edge, Portugal’s Hunger

Germany hold a strong historical advantage, having won their last five meetings with Portugal since 2006, including a 4-2 victory at Euro 2020 in Munich. That game, also at the Allianz Arena, saw Germany’s high press overwhelm a slower Portuguese side. But past results mean little to Martinez’s current squad, which blends veterans like Ronaldo with young guns like Mora and Leao. Portugal’s 2019 Nations League title gives them pedigree in this competition, and they’ll be desperate to avoid another semi-final heartbreak after their Euro 2024 exit.

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This semi-final has all the ingredients for a classic. Germany’s home advantage and attacking firepower make them slight favorites, but Portugal’s depth and Ronaldo’s knack for defying the odds can’t be underestimated. The absence of key German defenders tips the scales slightly toward a high-scoring affair. Expect both teams to find the net, with Wirtz and Ronaldo trading blows in a game that could hinge on a moment of brilliance or a defensive lapse. Germany’s unbeaten run and home crowd might just give them the edge, but Portugal’s counter-attacking threat makes this a coin toss.

Where to Watch and Why It Matters

The match kicks off at 9:45 PM CET on June 4 at the Allianz Arena, broadcast live on FS1 in the United States, with John Strong and Stu Holden calling the action. Fans across Europe can catch it on UEFA’s broadcast partners, listed on their official site. This isn’t just a semi-final; it’s a chance for Germany to signal their resurgence and for Portugal to reclaim their spot among Europe’s elite.

With the final against either Spain or France looming, the winner will take a massive step toward Nations League glory and a psychological edge heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Buckle up, because Munich is about to deliver a spectacle.

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By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)

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