Nagelsmann tests system shifts as Germany prepare for Ivory Coast test | OneFootball

Preparing for their second World Cup clash against Ivory Coast on Saturday, Germany have been experimenting with tactical system variations in training, according to Bild.

In one drill, the usual 4-2-3-1 formation was changed into a deeper 5-4-1 shape, with Leroy Sané dropping into a back five on the right alongside Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown.

Ahead of them was a four-man midfield consisting of Florian Wirtz, Aleksandar Pavlović, Felix Nmecha and Jamal Musiala, while Kai Havertz remained up front as the lone striker.

The idea behind the exercise is likely to provide Germany with an alternative defensive structure to cope with the pace of Ivory Coast’s attacking threats, including Bundesliga stars Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) and Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim).

Another drill featured a 4-2-2-2 shape, with Jamal Musiala partnering Kai Havertz up front, Wirtz and Sané operating on the flanks, Nmecha and Pavlović occupying wider midfield positions, and Kimmich able to drift into central areas from right-back.

By rehearsing these tactical variations, Nagelsmann is giving his side the flexibility to adapt their shape as the game unfolds.

The match kicks off at Toronto Stadium on Saturday at 22:00 CEST.