“Havertz shouldn't have been in the starting line-up” - Germany fans fume as Arsenal attacker starts ahead of 31-year-old

Fans have reacted to Arsenal striker Kai Havertz starting instead of Niclas Fullkug for Germany against Hungary in their second Euro 2024 game in Stuttgart. Julian Naglesmann's side won their opener blitzed Scotland 5-1 in their opener.

Both Havertz and Fullkrug - off the bench - were on the scoresheet as the three-time European champions started their campaign with a bang. With another win, they will be on the cusp of the knockouts.

However, fans aren't enthused with Havertz starting against Hungary instead of Fullkrug.

One fan tweeted:

"Havertz shouldn't have been in the starting line-up"

Another chimed in:

"Cringe we want Fullkrug"

MiasanmiaaaaFc tweeted:

"Pavertz"

Ivanovicismo posted:

"Play Fullkrug. Ffs."

The 31-year-old Fullkrug is coming off a decent 2023-24 season, striking 16 times and providing 10 assists in 46 games across competitions. All those goal contributions - except for one goal - came in 43 games with Borussia Dortmund.

Fullkrug has a decent record with Germany, scoring 12 times in 17 games, with three of those strikes coming in competitive outings, since scoring on his first-team debut in a 1-0 friendly win at Oman in November 2022.

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A look at how Germany fared in their Euro 2024 opener

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann

As mentioned earlier, hosts Germany got their Euro 2024 campaign up and running with a rousing 5-1 win in Munich over 10-man Scotland as they seek their first European Championship title in 28 years.

Florian Wirtz broke the deadlock inside 10 minutes before Jamal Musiala made it 2-0 nine minutes later. Kai Havertz tripled the hosts' advantage in first-half stoppage time to effectively end the game as a contest.

Substitute Niclas Fullkrug got on the scoresheet midway through the second period before Antonio Rudiger put one through his own net three minutes from time.

Emre Can, though, restored Germany's four-goal advantage in the third minute of stoppage time as Nagelsman's side ensured a rousing start to Euro 2024 with a reminder of their title credentials.