Will Nathaniel Brown start for Germany at the World Cup? | OneFootball

When Germany face Curaçao in their World Cup opener on Sunday, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown is widely expected to start at left-back.

RB Leipzig’s David Raum was Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann’s preferred option on the left side of defence during qualifying, but after struggling with an injury towards the end of the season, he appears to have lost his place to Brown.

Brown started ahead of Raum in both of Germany’s pre-World Cup friendlies and impressed against both Finland and the United States, strengthening his case to be Germany’s starting left-back at the upcoming tournament.

At a recent media round in the German national team camp, Raum appeared to acknowledge that he will have to accept being the challenger for now

“Such a tournament is long. I accept my role – and if I come on, I give everything. Even if I don’t start at the beginning, the team knows it can rely on me,” Raum told reporters on Wednesday.

There appears to be no bad blood between Raum and Brown – on the contrary, the two rivals support and push each other to perform at their best.

“[Brown] plays a very attacking role in Frankfurt, constantly moves into central areas, just like we do here in the national team. He does that outstandingly,” Raum said.

“When he came on for me, he always performed well. I approach it the same way. If he starts, I will of course help him.”

“The coach has a tough job, and that’s exactly how it should be,” Raum concluded.

Brown himself addressed his chances of starting at the World Cup before Germany’s 2-1 win over the United States last weekend.

“I’m extremely happy to be part of the World Cup squad. Of course, I think I have a chance to play, but we’ll have to see whether I actually get on the pitch or not,” he said.