World champions France never hit top form and had third-choice keeper Alphonse Areola to thank for a 0-0 draw against Germany in their inaugural Nations League game on Thursday, their first appearance since lifting the World Cup.
On a rainy evening in Munich, Germany won back some respect with a battling performance after their shock World Cup group-stage exit in Russia, their earliest in 80 years in the tournament.
The French looked to be nursing a post-World Cup hangover, lacking their usual speed and creativity and but for Areola's key saves in the second half the final scoreline would have been different.
The Nations League, brainchild of European soccer body UEFA, aims to boost interest in the autumn and spring internationals, which were seen by clubs and fans as disruptive to the domestic football season.
The competition will be held every two years and features all 55 of Europe's national teams divided into four divisions split into four groups, with games to be played between September and November.
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Unusually, the Germans started with four central defenders and with Joshua Kimmich switching from right back to a holding midfield position, as coach Joachim Low tried to strike a better balance between attack and defence than his team had done in Russia.
His France counterpart Didier Deschamps fielded his World Cup final team, including Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, apart for injured keeper Hugo Lloris, with Areola making his debut.
Neither side were eager to risk much, with a chance apiece in the first half -- a blocked Olivier Giroud header for France and Germany forward Timo Werner's low shot.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did well to save a Griezmann effort just past the hour but it was Areola who made the saves of the day, first punching Marco Reus' close-range effort wide.
The 25-year-old, who only got to start because Lloris and second-choice Steve Mandanda are injured, denied Mats Hummels, tipped a Thomas Muller chip over the bar and stopped Matthias Ginter from scoring from close range as the hosts grew in confidence but ran out of time.
Areola's six saves were the most by any French goalkeeper in 54 matches of official competition since 2012.
Germany vs France: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview
The winners of the last two World Cups face off in Munich on Thursday as the UEFA Nations League begins
World champions France are up first for Germany in the inaugural Nations League clash.
It has been less than a year since the sides played out a 2-2 draw in Cologne, with Alexandre Lacazette twice putting Les Bleus in the lead only for their hosts to twice hit back in an exciting friendly.
Since then, the fortunes of the sides have differed dramatically, with France going on to win in Russia thanks to their pragmatic play, while Germany stunningly crashed out in the group stage.
Didier Deschamps has not made dramatic changes to his France squad, while for the hosts, there is a sense that this game represents a new beginning.
Game Germany vs France Date Thursday, September 6 Time 7:45pm BST / 2:45pm ET
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US) the game will available to watch on ESPN2 and stream live online using ESPN+.
US TV channel Online stream ESPN2 ESPN+
The game can be watched live on television in the United Kingdom (UK) via Sky Sports Football or Sky Sports Mix and it can be streamed live online using Sky Go.
UK TV channel Online stream Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Mix Sky Go
Squads & Team News
Position Germany squad Goalkeepers Neuer, Ter Stegen Defenders Tah, Kehrer, Ginter, Hummels, Schulz, Sule, Rudiger, Boateng, Kimmich Midfielders Goretzka, Draxler, Kroos, Brandt, Sane, Havertz, Gundogan Forwards Werner, Reus, Muller, Petersen
Mesut Ozil has stood down from international football amid accusations levelled of racism towards the association. Sami Khedira and Sebastian Rudy have dropped out of the squad that travelled to Russia along with goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, Marvin Plattenhardt and Jonas Hector.
Joachim Low, who may well start with Leroy Sane after he was controversially left out of the World Cup squad, has no injury issues.
Potential Germany starting XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Hummels, Sule, Schulz; Gundogan, Kroos, Goretzka; Muller, Werner, Sane
Position France squad Goalkeepers Costil, Lecomte, Areola Defenders Pavard, Kimpembe, Varane, Umtiti, Rami, Sidibe, Hernandez, Mendy Midfielders Pogba, Tolisso, Kante, Matuidi, Nzonzi Forwards Griezmann, Lemar, Giroud, Mbappe, Dembele, Fekir, Thauvin
France are without captain Hugo Lloris, who has a muscular problem in his thigh. Montpellier goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte has been called up in his stead, although with Steve Mandanda also missing, Alphonse Areola is expected to make his international debut.
Otherwise, head coach Didier Deschamps has been able to lean upon the same squad that won in Russia.
Potential France starting XI: Areola; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Pogba, Kante; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuid; Giroud
Betting & Match Odds
Germany are considered slight favourites to cause an upset in this clash at 8/5 by bet365, while France are priced at 19/10. Meanwhile, a draw is 12/5.
Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more.
Match Preview
Germany are a side still reeling from World Cup elimination and the fall-out caused by Mesut Ozil’s retirement from the international game amid dramatic accusations of racism.
While those stand unproven at present, what is under no doubt is that the 2014 world champions underperformed dramatically in Russia. Defeats against Mexico and South Korea were as poor as they were unexpected, while even their victory over Sweden was achieved with little assurance.
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Thursday’s match in Munich stands as an opportunity for Joachim Low and his side to start putting things right, and a strong performance against the team that claimed their crown would be an ideal beginning.
France, meanwhile, claimed their second World Cup with a mature and streetwise brand of football. At times, Didier Deschamps’ men were spectacular, notably in their last-16 victory against Argentina, but more often they simply did what needed to be done to get results. It was not always popular with neutrals, especially as they stymied an attractive Belgium side in the semi-finals, but the prize was worth it.
Since losing to Germany 1-0 at World Cup 2014, they are unbeaten in three meetings with their neighbours, scoring two goals on each occasion.
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Alphonse Areola made some impressive late saves but there was little else to recommend from Germany's 0-0 draw with France.
The previous two World Cup winners failed to live up to their billing as Germany and France played out a 0-0 draw in their Nations League opener.
France boss Didier Deschamps stuck with 10 of the players who started their final triumph against Croatia at Russia 2018, with an injury to captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris enforcing his only change.
Deputy Alphonse Areola impressed on his debut with a string of late saves.
It showed Germany belatedly shifting into gear after a forgettable opening hour, but it will take more than this for Joachim Low's men to shift the gloom that lingered after their group-stage exit and Mesut Ozil's international retirement.
France right-back Benjamin Pavard was left with stud marks down his neck after Antonio Rudiger clumsily but unintentionally trod on him, while Joshua Kimmich took an arm to the face from Blaise Matuidi during a robust opening.
N'Golo Kante's searching ball from the left saw Olivier Giroud draw a plunging save from Manuel Neuer and France's Chelsea striker just failed to turn in a cutback from the lively Kylian Mbappe in first-half stoppage time.
Antoine Griezmann engineered space in the Germany area but Neuer grasped his eventual shot at the second attempt.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was more impressive when Griezmann tried his luck from distance in the 64th-minute before opposite number Areola did brilliantly to tip Marco Reus' curling shot behind.
Areola kept out a stinging Mats Hummels strike after Thomas Muller inexplicably opted to chest rather than head his Bayern colleague's cross.
An overhit Muller centre almost caught out Areola and the PSG goalkeeper's best moment came from the resulting corner, denying Matthias Ginter with a superb reaction save.
Kante's heavy touch late on in his own box almost cost the world champions, but he recovered to block from substitute Ilkay Gundogan and preserve the stalemate.
Still a little bit of time to get that winner! 2 minutes of added time #NationsLeague #GERFRA 0-0 pic.twitter.com/gqlcAO1mWM — Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 6, 2018
What it means: Work to do for reworked Germany
A buoyant Munich crowd did their bit to sweep away the memory of recent trials, but a Germany geared towards getting the ball forward more quickly than in their sterile World Cup exit lacked fluency until the later stages. France, as was generally the case in Russia, looked like a side with plenty more in the tank as Mbappe played to the galleries, backheeling and flicking his way through a drab contest.
Pat on the back: Areola steps up for impressive debut
Areola enjoyed the unusual quirk of claiming his first full international cap two months on from collecting a World Cup winners' medal as an unused substitute. The 25-year-old had barely anything to do for the first hour but showed why he is consigning Gianluigi Buffon to the bench in Paris at present. His save from Ginter was magnificent.
Boot up the backside: Muller's best a fading memory
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As Germany's performance reached a crescendo and Areola impressed, there was the all-too familiar sight of Muller flailing in good positions. Once Die Mannschaft's sure thing, the 28-year-old is five games without a goal for his country on the other side of a barren World Cup.
What's next
France remain in Nations League action when they entertain Netherlands on Sunday, while Germany welcome Peru to the Rhein-Neckar-Arena for a friendly.
Starting line-ups Germany XI: Neuer; Ginter, Hummels, Boateng, Rudiger; Kroos, Kimmich, Goretzka; Werner, Reus, Muller France XI: Areola; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernendez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
Germany 0-0 France
Uefa Nations League: Group A1
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
Kick-off time: 7:45pm BST
Germany took a step towards restoring their footballing pride as they earned a Nations League point against France in Munich.
Fresh off the back of a humiliating World Cup, Joachim Low's men can count themselves unlucky not to have beaten Didier Deschamps' world champions at the Allianz Arena.
France's stand-in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made a string of second-half saves from Mats Hummels and Matthias Ginter as Les Blues earned a point in Uefa's new international competition.
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Live Updates
There was a late scare for Germany as Neuer was almost lobbed from long range, but France would scarcely have deserved it. Areola was in superb form for the world champions, and he didn't deserve to be on the losing side. Germany and their fans will take heart from this result after a fractious summer, while France will be relieved not to have been beaten in their first match back after the World Cup. Stick with Standard Sport for more Uefa Nations League reaction - bye for now. FULL TIME | Germany 0-0 France 91 mins: Sane drives at goal... but hits Umtiti - that was the run of a player short of confidence. France go up the other end hoping to sneak the win, but Germany recover possession. 90 mins: We will have two minutes of injury time in Munich, and this one looks set for a draw despite Germany's late push. YELLOW CARD 87 mins: Rudiger has been a little naughty tonight - he leaves a foot in on Pavard, and picks up a booking. 85 mins: Kimmich is down and he's not happy after a clash - the referee tells him to calm down. Just five minutes left now to find a winner. 83 mins: Sane is involved right away showing quick feet, but can't tease a crossing opportunity on the left. How he would love a goal tonight to kickstart his season. SUBS 82 mins: Another Germany chance as Reus departs for Sane. SUBS 79 mins: Griezmann's night is over, and Fekir - a summer target for Liverpool - is on in his place. 76 mins: Pinball in the French box! Kante gets away with one as he takes a heavy touch inside his own box, and France block out the resulting close-range efforts. Germany are all over Les Bleus! 75 mins: What a save! Areola is having an absolute barnstormer out there - Ginter thinks he's scored as he glances a header at goal from six yards out, but the keeper throws up a strong right hand to tip the ball away... and Germany can't turn the rebound home! The only reason the world champions are still ahead is because of their keeper. 74 mins: Areola is forced into action again as Muller crosses from the left - it's overhit, but that sees the keeper scrambling backwards to tip behind for a corner... 71 mins: So close for Hummels! What a surreal 10 seconds for Germany as Reus plays a lovely ball on the overlap for... Mats Hummels?!? The centre-back isn't the most graceful sprinter, but he plays a delicious cross from Muller - the Bayern forward inexplicably decides not to head at goal when it was on a plate... his volley is blocked and falls kindly for Hummels, who smashes a volley at goal... but Areola makes a top stop to his left! The France keeper celebrates like he's just saved a penalty, and France survive. 68 mins: The German home crowd hold their collective breath as Mbappe races away onto the ball at lightning speed in behind, but the French youngster snatches at a low shot and drags the ball well wide from 20 yards out. SOCIAL 65 mins: First changes of the game as Gundogan replaces Goretzka for Germany, while Giroud is off for Dembele. 64 mins: Great save by Areola! This one is even better! Germany go up the other end and Reus finds time and space on the edge of the area to curl a high shot at goal, but Areola springs up to his right to get fingertips on the ball to push it wide - a top stop. 63 mins: Good save by Neuer! Griezmann launches a rocket from range, controlling the effort well to see it rise towards goal, but Neuer beats it away! 62 mins: Kimmich launches an effort from range, but it's well over the bar. The rain is tumbling down, which should make things interesting if anybody tries a slide-rule pass to Mbappe... 57 mins: Pogba finds Pavard with a long diagonal ball, and the defender tees up a volleyed pass for the oncoming Mbappe - it doesn't work out as the ball ends up running for a goal kick, but the French are putting together some nice moves. Pogba finds Pavard with a long diagonal ball, and the defender tees up a volleyed pass for the oncoming Mbappe - it doesn't work out as the ball ends up running for a goal kick, but the French are putting together some nice moves. 55 mins: Kante is running the show for France in the middle - he's made two superb interceptions in this half to turn over possession into potential French counters, and looks like the heartbeat - and the lungs - of this side. What a player. Kante is running the show for France in the middle - he's made two superb interceptions in this half to turn over possession into potential French counters, and looks like the heartbeat - and the lungs - of this side. What a player. Next
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TV channel and live stream
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £7.99. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
What is the Uefa Nations League?
Uefa has separated 55 European nations teams into four leagues based on co-efficient rankings as of 11 October 2017.
League A has the top-ranked sides, with League D included the lowest-ranked.
Leagues are split into four groups of three. Group winners then contest the Uefa Nations League Finals (semi-finals, third-place and final) in June 2018 to become Uefa Nations League winners.
The four nations who finish bottom of their groups are relegated to League B for 2020.
Head to head
The two nations have faced off 29 times, with France winning 13 games, Germany 10, and six draws.
Germany and France last met in 2017 - a 2-2 friendly draw in Koln - while their last competitive meeting saw France win 2-0 in the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
Team news
Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Defenders: Jerome Boateng, Matthias Ginter, Mats Hummels, Thilo Kehrer, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schulz, Niklas Sule, Jonathan Tah
Midfielders: Ilkay Gundogan, Leon Goretzka, Toni Kroos, Leroy Sane, Marco Reus, Julian Brandt, Julian Draxler, Kai Havertz
Forwards: Thomas Muller, Nils Petersen, Timo Werner
France squad
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Benoit Costil, Benjamin Lecomte
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, Benjamin Mendy, Benjamin Pavard, Adil Rami, Djibril Sibide, Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Steven N'Zonzi, Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Nabil Fekir, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Florent Thauvin
