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Germany vs England as it happened: Lukas Podolski screamer sinks Gareth Southgate's new-look side
Follow live updates from the international friendly at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park
England visit Germany as Gareth Southgate examines his squad ahead of this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
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- England to experiment with three at the back as Gareth Southgate hands starts to two surprising names
- How facing Germany for England has been a haunting experience for Gareth Southgate
- Gareth Southgate encourages England players to 'think like Germans' as he sets World Cup as 'ultimate target'
- Jake Livermore on how football helped him come back from darkest days
- England without Phil Jones as injured defender returns to Manchester United
What time does it start?
Germany vs England kicks off at 7.45pm GMT at the Signal Iduna Park Stadium, Dortmund.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown on ITV, with coverage starting at 7.15pm. Highlights will be shown at 11.15pm on ITV.
Prediction...
It’s a big game for…
Joe Hart: The Manchester City player currently on-loan at Torino will be eager to show he’s still the best England shot-stopper.
He has proven himself as Torino’s number one, but has cost the Italian side vital wins this season. Most recently two mistakes cost Torino a victory against Inter Milan.
Best stat…
Joachim Low’s men have gone 558 minutes without conceding a goal. The last was against France in Euro 2016 with Antoine Griezmann was the scorer.
Remember when…
England got their Euro 2000 campaign off to a good start against the Germans as both teams went head-to-head in a group that also included Romania and Portugal.
In classic style, an Alan Shearer header set-up by David Beckham put the Three Lions ahead. However, both countries would fail to qualify out of the group.
Player to watch…
Timo Werner: This is the 21-year-old’s first call up for the national first team after he impressed Joachim Low with his performances from the left side of midfield for RB Leipzig, who sees potential in the forward.
With a point to prove and having bagged 14 goals this season, Werner is certainly a player to keep an eye on.
Past three meetings…
Germany 2 (Kroos, Gomez) England 3 (Kane, Vardy, Dier)
International friendly, March 2016
England 0 Germany 1 (Mertesacker)
International friendly, November 2013
Germany 4 (Klose, Podolski, Muller 2) England 1 (Upson)
World Cup, June 2010
Form guide…
Germany: WWWWD
England: LWWDWD
Odds…
Provided by 888Sports.com
Germany to win: 3/4
England to win: 15/4
Draw: 11/4
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Germany vs England.
Gareth Southgate's first game as the national team's permanent manager comes in Dortmund and the latest poor soul with the infamously 'impossible job' is trying something fresh to start with.
England are expected to play a very en vogue back three, with Burnley's Michael Keane lining up alongside regulars Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling in the centre of defence.
Will it work? Stay with us for build-up, team news and minute-by-minute updates...
Here's a closer look at how Gareth Southgate plans to play it tonight...
The team news is in!
And, as expected, Gareth Southgate has gone all Antonio Conte by selecting a back three. Burnley's Michael Keane is handed his debut alongside skipper Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling; Ryan Bertrand and Kyle Walker will play as the wing-backs.
West Brom's Jake Livermore will also feature from the outset: his first England appearance since August 2012.
England (3-4-2-1): Hart; Keane, Smalling Cahill; Walker, Dier, Livermore, Bertrand, Lallana, Alli, Vardy.
And here's the German team for this evening's friendly:
Germany: Ter Stegen; Hector, Hummels, Rudiger, Kimmich; Weigl, Kroos, Sane, Brandt, Podolski; Werner.
City forward Leroy Sane will start, along with the RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, aged just 21.
Lukas Podolski will captain the side in his last ever international appearance.
Watching the game with your mates? Haven't the foggiest who Timo Werner is? Struggling to tell your Julian Weigls from your Julian Brandts?
Don't worry: we're way ahead of you.
Here's our Chief Sports Writer Ian Herbert with the inside track on Germany's exciting squad for this evening's match, completely choc-a-bloc with the stars of tomorrow (and Lukas Podolski).
Westminster terror attack:
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has sent his thoughts to those affected by the Westminster terror attack and pledged to recognise all those involved when England face Lithuania on Sunday.
A knifeman brought terror to the heart of London on Wednesday afternoon, with four people, including an armed police officer and his attacker, killed.
England's friendly in Germany later that day was due to go ahead as planned and, as the incident is still unfolding, the FA plans to mark the Westminster attacks on Sunday having spoken to relevant authorities.
"Our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by this terrible incident," FA chairman Clarke said ahead of the match in Dortmund.
"We will be recognising the bravery of the security services and all those involved at the England v Lithuania match on Sunday."
Here's how England decided to announce their starting XI for this evening's match:
Thoughts on the all-blue kit? I'm a big fan and consider it a significant improvement on the last reverse strip, with it's monstrous red and blue colour palette.
Joe Hart's light blue keeper kit is particularly slick.
Tonight is a big night for Lukas Podolski.
The 31-year-old former Arsenal striker, who will move to Japanese side Vissel Kobe, is set to win his 130th Germany cap this evening as he brings the curtain down on a hugely successful 13-year international career.
Joachim Löw has handed him the captain's armband for this fixture and paid tribute to a man he describes as "one of the greatest".
“Lukas and myself have gone a long road together,” said Löw, who has worked with Podolski for all of his 13 years with the national team.
“He is a unique specimen, no one can really replace him.
"For me it will be a beautiful moment but a sad one because he was one of the greatest players ever to come out of Germany."
Podolski appears desperate to sign-off with one last victory and posted the following picture to his Twitter account this morning:
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