Germany have been boosted by the return of their captain Giulia Gwinn, as she was selected in their starting XI to play France.
Christian Wuck’s side play France in the first leg of their Nations League semi-final in Dusseldorf.
Gwinn has not featured for Germany since she suffered a tournament-ending injury in their first game of Euro 2025.
Germany would go on to be knocked out at the semi-final stage of Euro 2025 by Spain.
While Gwinn’s return is a positive, Germany will be without her teammate Lena Oberdorf. who suffered her second cruciate ligament in the space of 16 months.
Giulia Gwinn’s return to football
Giulia Gwinn makes her first Germany appearance since the Women’s Euros and after her return for Bayern Munich last month.
The 26-year-old made her return in a 4-0 win over Freiburg and appeared emotional as she came on as a 74th-minute substitute.
Gwinn, after her own return, said: “I’m very, very happy about my comeback.
“It was another long period of suffering where I had to endure a lot. It wasn’t exactly easy, especially after missing the European Championship. That’s why I felt all the emotions today. And I’m just really happy to be back with the team.”
She started Bayern Munich’s last three games before the international break in wins over VfL Wolfsburg, Juventus and Cologne.
Gwinn aims to lead Germany to Nations League glory
Germany’s clash with France is a rematch from Euro 2025, where Wuck’s side knocked out Les Bleus at the quarter-final stage.
Herve Renard’s team progressed to the final when the two sides met in the same stage of the inaugural Nations League.
France are well versed in the Nations League after finishing as runner-up to Spain in the inaugural edition.
Going into the match, Germany and France are ranked fifth and sixth in the world, respectively.
France host the second-leg of the Nations League semi-final on October 28th.
Whoever advances to the final will play either Spain or Sweden in a two-legged tie on November 28th and December 2nd.
Germany vs France starting lineups
Germany XI: Johannes; Gwinn, Hendrich, Küver, Kett; Senss, Nüsken, Wamser, Buhl, Brand, Anyomi
France XI: Peyraud-Magnin; Bacha, De Almeida, Sombath, Lakrar; Jean-François, Geyoro, Baltimore; D. Cascarino, Diani, Katoto
