Germany vs. France: UEFA Women’s Nations League preview, team news & predicted lineups

Three months from their quarter-final ties in the European championship, Germany and France will battle for a place in next month’s final in the Women’s National League.

Düsseldorf will host the first-leg of the UEFA Women’s Nations League semi-final tie between Germany and France on Friday. The hosts knocked out France from last summer’s Euros, but Hervé Renard’s team progressed to the final when the two sides met in the same stage of the inaugural Nations League.

Renard left his post to become Saudi Arabia’s men’s national team coach after the defeat to Spain. Laurent Bonadei, who also once coached the Gulf nation as an interim, came in his place, and his team won all the group stage fixtures in the Nations League, including beating Norway home and away without conceding a goal.

Meanwhile, Germany recorded five straight wins after they started their campaign with a draw in the Netherlands. Christian Wück’s side only conceded twice after Lineth Beerensteyn’s brace, while France have only let in two goals so far in the competition.

Lea Schüller and Sandy Baltimore scored five goals each for their respective national teams. In the top division of the Nations League, only Belgium’s Tessa Wullaert managed to equal that tally.

The two-time World Cup winners finished third in the first-ever Nations League edition. Germany also reached the semi-finals in Euro 2025 with a depleted squad before Aitana Bonmatí crushed their dream in injury-time.

Wück’s side knocked out France on penalties to reach there, despite being reduced to ten in the 13th minute. Ann-Katrin Berger produced a performance to savour with some magnificent saves before starring in the penalty shootout.

Team News

However, Germany’s starting goalkeeper has been on the sidelines since the start of the month. Bayern Munich’s Ena Mahmutovic was in contention to replace Gotham FC’s shot-stopper, but she suffered an injury after being included in the squad list.

Similarly, Lena Oberdorf was expected to return to the squad before sustaining another ACL injury in Bayern’s win over Köln. On the contrary, the captain, Giulia Gwinn, and Hoffenheim’s in-form striker Nicole Anyomi are back in contention.

Legendary center-back Wendie Renard is once again left out of France’s squad. Grace Geyoro followed in the footsteps of Sandy Baltimore and Melvine Malard in the summer with a move to WSL as she joined the newly-promoted London City Lionesses. This will be France’s first game since the quarter-final exit in Switzerland.

The return leg will be played in Caen on Tuesday night. Spain and Sweden lock horns in the other semi-final. Unlike the inaugural edition, the final will also be a two-legged affair.

Predicted Lineups

Germany: Johannes; Kett, Knaak, Minge, Gwinn ©; Nüsken, Senß; Bühl, Anyomi, Brand; Schüller

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