Goalkeepers Alexander Nübel and Oliver Baumann (l-r.) will begin Germany's UEFA Nations League finals campaign on the bench. - © Imago

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Julian Nagelsmann confirms returning Marc-André ter Stegen as Germany No.1 ahead of Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel

30.05.2025

Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann and VfB Stuttgart's Alex Nübel will play back-up to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen in the upcoming UEFA Nations League finals, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed.

Ter Stegen hasn't played for Germany since the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on 10 September 2024, after rupturing ligaments in his right knee in a league game with Barcelona 12 days later. However, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach custodian - now a 42-time Germany international - returned to domestic action in May, starting two of the 2024/25 La Liga winners' final five games of the season.

"I've spoken to Marc a lot, he's in top form in training. He hasn't played that many games yet, but of course he's still at an age where he doesn't need that mega rhythm right now. If he was 22 or 23 now, we'd have to worry about that. But he has a lot of experience, has been training with the team again for ages and is training very, very well. I'm very confident that he'll play two top games," Nagelsmann told media on Friday.

Marc-André ter Stegen (r.) spent many years playing second fiddle to Manuel Neuer (l.), who retired from international football after UEFA Euro 2024. - INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images

In ter Stegen's absence from the national team, Baumann won his first four senior international caps, while Nübel played twice, helping Germany go unbeaten on their way to the Nations League Final Four.

Portugal await Nagelsmann's team in the semi-finals in Munich on 4 June, with the winner set to face either Spain or France in the final on 8 June (also at the Allianz Arena). The losing semi-finalists will contest the third-placed match at Stuttgart's MHP Arena on the same day.

Germany are bidding to win their first Nations League crown, having never before gone beyond the group stage. The four-time world champions will then turn their attentions to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification, with Luxembourg, Northern Ireland and Slovakia their opponents in Group A.