France vs Germany: 5 talking points ahead of Nations League clash

Germany's rebuilding process would be put through another wringer when they travel to Saint-Denis to take on world champions France, just three days after the 3-0 mauling at the hands of Netherlands. The Die Mannschaft have lost on each of their last two visits to the country and are currently mired in a severe on-field crisis.

Les Bleus too, didn't enjoy a particularly good outing in the previous game, drawing 2-2 with Iceland. But the resolve to comeback from a two-goal deficit must be appreciated. So the mood in the French camp, contrarily, is optimistic. France currently also lead the Group A pack with four points and another win at home would all but secure a place in the next round.

Let's delve into some of the major talking points ahead of the heavyweight clash:

#1 France smell blood in the waters

France face an even weaker Germany than last time out

When the sides met during the first leg in Munich last month, Germany were still reeling from the Russian debacle whilst France were officially playing their first game as world champions.

Yet, the clash failed to live up to the expectations and ended in a damp, goalless stalemate. However, in the two games since, both sides have taken contrasting roads before converging.

Whilst the Bleus beat Netherlands and then produced a solid comeback against Iceland, Joechim Loew's band of busted flushes laboured to beat Peru, before going down mightily to the Dutch. It was also their biggest ever loss to the Oranje squad in history, something that has knocked the stuffing out of his side.

So the spirits in the camp are admittedly low, and France have a great chance to wield the hammer. They can smell blood in the waters as Germany are at their lowest ebb of the 21st century. A victory would make it seven points from three games, leaving them with the task of only a point to pick from the last game to seal a semi-final berth. Anything other than a victory would be disappointing.

#2 Germany must find their attacking boots... NOW!

Werner has failed to provide the attacking spark he's capable of

Not that they've been completely hapless in the attack. Germany have mustered 129 shots since the World Cup started. But the devil is in the details: those 129 shots have accrued only four goals, and zero in the last three competitive games. So even if the attack isn't exactly hapless, it's wayward for sure and severely lacking any genuine cutting edge.

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner has so far failed to replicate his club heroics on the international stage, having netted only once - in a friendly against Saudi Arabia - this calendar year. Thomas Muller's goals have dried up too whereas Mark Uth was an unsuccessful experiment in the previous game. Mario Gomez, another out-and-out striker, announced his retirement from international football in August.

So basically, Loew's running short of options upfront and can't do anything unless this striking issue is resolved. However, he can find a panacea to the attacking woes by starting Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry on the wings with Werner leading the line. This might just help the 22-year-old get the service he so desperately needs and also bring pace as well as directness to the attack. We'll see. But Germany must find their attacking boots fast.

#3 Mbappe to continue his delinquent streak?

The French boy wonder is in blazing hot form right now

France's golden boy Kylian Mbappe knows no stopping. After playing a crucial role in the World Cup triumph, he's gone about his business as usual with PSG in the new season, also striking four times before the international break. He even struck the equalising penalty against Iceland to save his side their blushes and hit double figures for Les Bleus in the process.

In what has been a truly remarkable year for the teen, Mbappe was also named in the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or recently and stands an excellent chance of making it to the top three. He has struck in each of the last three games on the international scene - four in the last five - and in all likelihood, should bag another one against the knackered Germans.

#4 Loew to blood in youngsters?

Loew might hand a few youngsters a chance to shine

Despite the importance of the clash, manager Joechim Loew might be tempted to make a few tweaks from the starting XI that were comprehensively beaten by the Netherlands. Perhaps, he might turn towards the youth for a desperate change of fortunes.

Julian Draxler must be given an opportunity to exhibit his creativity, while the aforementioned Sane could feature on the left-hand side with Uth dropping to the bench and Werner shifting into his natural position as the centre-forward.

Joshua Kimmich is best suited as a right-back and must revert to that role after a failed experiment in central midfield. Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka too, might fancy his chances alongside Toni Kroos at the base of midfield. Loew isn't short of options, but he just needs to find the right formation to kick things into gear. Germany's young guns are among the most talented and with the right tactics, can lift this team out of the lurch.

#5 Germany's elite status on the line

Germany are a spent force right now

Once perennial nearly-men in international competitions, the Germany of today are struggling to beat significantly weaker sides like Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Peru. They are no longer the reckoning force they've always been and have reached the lowest ebb of this millennium. Not to mention dropping out of the top 10 world rankings for the first time in over a decade.

A string of poor performances and atrocious results has seen their elite status take a hit. So much so that they are dwelling at the bottom of Group 1 of League A of Nations League with a distinct possibility of being relegated into League B. Not that a defeat in this game would confirm it, but it would further endanger their prospects and also increase pressure on the beleaguered Loew to see drastic improvements.

The ease with which the Dutch decimated Die Mannschaft last week exposed all of the team's frailties. There are more holes present than in a piece of Swiss cheese and the damage could've been even worse, had Ronald Koeman's men been more clinical in-front of goal. Germany, despite their talented youth, have fallen off their perch. Another defeat however, would prove yet another stab at their already mutilated 'elite team' status.