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Germany have always been in the elite of European football. Die Mannschaft have had several great players who have contributed immensely to the rich history of German football. Germany have reached the finals of the Euros 6 times and have won it three times.
They came agonizingly close 8 years ago when they were defeated by one of the greatest Spanish teams in the history of Football. But the Germans finally lifted a major trophy after a long wait in 2014 as Mario Goetze wrote his name into the history books.
But there were many others who achieved glory for the nation. Here is the greatest Germany Euro XI of all time
Goal Keeper – Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn was only a 20-year-old when he was in the squad for the Euro 1996. Despite not being first choice he still won a medal that year. But there won’t be too many arguments when it comes to rating Germany’s greatest goalkeeper.
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Kahn played for Germany from 1994 until 2006. He made 86 appearances for his team but was unfortunate not to win a trophy after the 1996 Euros. Kahn has inspired a new generation of great goalkeepers in Germany.
Manuel Neuer has followed in the legend’s footsteps by becoming Bayern Munich’s and Germany’s no 1. Kahn made 429 appearances for Bayern winning every domestic trophy there is to win.
Defence
Left Back – Paul Breitner
Paul Breitner was a regular for the German national team making 48 appearances for his country. He played for the best clubs in the world, i.e Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. He was part of a defensive three with Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts
Centre Back – Franz Beckenbauer
This XI will not be complete without the great Beckenbauer. The man is a German icon and was the rock of the team that lifted the Euros in 1972. Beckenbauer is one of the few defenders in the world who has won the Ballon d ‘Or as well.
Centre Back – Berti Vogts
Alongside Beckenbauer in that 1972 Euro winning team was Berti Vogts. The two used to complement each other perfectly and played a crucial part in Germany's success. Vogts also managed to win the tournament as a manager in 1996.
Right Back – Phillip Lahm
There are not many people in the world who would dispute that Lahm is one of the best defenders in the modern game. The 32-year-old can play in multiple positions and it is a mystery as to why he retired after the world cup
Midfield
Central Midfield – Lothar Matthaus
Lothar Matthaus is still considered the best midfielder Germany has ever had. Matthaus managed to win the Euro 1980 tournament when he was just a youngster. Matthaus is no doubt one of the best in his position in the history of the game. In the 1986 World Cup, he captained his side to the finals as Germany eventually lost to Argentina but did win it in 1990.
Central Midfield –Stefan Effenberg
Stefan Effenberg had it all when it came to playing in midfield. His passing, skill and strength were everything you wished for in a midfielder. If it was not for his infamous ‘finger’ gesture in 1992 he would have played a lot more international tournaments. But his quality is enough to make it into this team.
Central Midfield – Michael Ballack
Michael Ballack was a player with pure ability and added a lot of power to the German midfield. He was very unlucky to not win the Euros in 2008 but there haven't been many who had the energy and drive he had.
Attacking midfield – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Rummenigge is a name every football fan in Germany will have memorized. Normally a forward Rummenigge could also play as an attacking midfielder like he did in 1980 UEFA Euro final. He made 95 appearances for his country scoring 45 times
Forwards
Foward – Gerd Muller
Gerd Muller has completely earned his legendary status in the footballing world. The man was a scoring machine having an incredible 68 goals in 62 appearances to his name for Germany. Muller helped his team lift the 1972 Euro trophy and also won the Ballon D’ Or.
Forward – Jurgen Klinsmann
This was a tough choice to make but Klinsmann gets the nod over Miroslav Klose. Klinsmann won the Euros in 1996 and came runner-up in 1992 but Klose did not win the tournament with Germany despite scoring more than the now US coach.
Formation
Subs: Mesut Ozil, Miroslav Klose, Manuel Neuer, Jurgen Kohler, Bernd Schuster, Thomas Muller
If this team lined up together today they would do so in the 4-4-2 formation. Klinsmann and Muller would no doubt lead the line. Lother Matthaus who was a box to box will serve as the midfield general of the team dictating things from deep.
Ballack generally plays the central role but can also play on the right because of his versatility. Effenberg is on the left and the great Rummennigge at the tip of the midfield diamond.
The back four looks like a very formidable one with the captain without a doubt being Beckenbauer. Kahn and Lahm along with Ballack are the only players from the last decade or so who make the XI.
