Germany vs Sweden, World Cup 2018: Timo Werner starts up front as Mesut Ozil drops to bench

Germany have revealed their starting XI for their crunch match against Sweden

Germany have decided to stick with Timo Wener in attack ahead of their huge Group F clash against Sweden, after reports suggested the 22-year-old faced being dropped.

Mesut Ozil and Sami Kedhira are cut from the side that lost 1-0 to Sweden in their opening game as Joachim Low freshens up his midfield.

Mario Gómez was reportedly in line for a surprise start against Sweden as Germany head into a must-win game to get their World Cup campaign back on track on Saturday night.

Bild had claimed the veteran striker could start the crucial match, but he has instead been left on the bench.

There was much soul-searching in the German camp after their opener, with Mats Hummels taking aim at his midfield and coaching for leaving the defence too exposed.

Toni Kroos revealed that harsh words had been exchanged and that they would need to be better against the Swedes.

32-year-old Gomez has a chance to help his side improve, a long-term back-up to Miroslav Klose in previous tournaments who has now been superseded by younger stars like Werner.

(Getty Images)

Germany: Neuer, Kimmich, Rudiger, Boateng, Hector, Rudy, Kroos, Muller, Draxler, Reus, Werner. Subs: Trapp, Plattenhardt, Ginter, Hummels, Khedira, Ozil, Goretzka, Sule, Brandt, Gundogan, Gomez, ter Stegen.

Sweden: Olsen, Lustig, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Berg, Toivonen. Subs: Johnsson, Olsson, Guidetti, Svensson, Helander, Hiljemark, Krafth, Jansson, Rohden, Durmaz, Thelin, Nordfeldt. Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)