Uefa Nations League semi-final: Build-up as Germany host Portugal - Ronaldo & Wirtz start
Update:
Date: 19:50 BST
Title: Post
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Both of these sides were involved in epic quarter-final ties, which were played over two legs.
Germany beat Italy 5-4 overall, including a 3-3 thriller in Dortmund.
And Portugal beat Denmark 5-2 in extra time on the night, 5-3 on aggregate, having needed a late goal to avoid being knocked out.
Update:
Date: 19:47 BST
Title: Post
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Four Portugal players won the Champions League with Paris St-Germain on Saturday at this ground.
Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves all started, with Goncalo Ramos coming off the bench.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said their energy was "contagious".
He said: "For Portugal it's better to have players who have that experience with winning. I'll wait to see how they are physically, but emotionally they are over the moon."
Update:
Date: 19:44 BST
Title: Post
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann said Portugal having four Champions League winners in the squad "had advantages and disadvantages" for his team.
"Recently they've had a bit more to do than other players," Nagelsmann said.
"They might have celebrated a bit, too. I don't know how well they're doing now, but they probably had a beer or two."
Update:
Date: 19:41 BST
Title: Post
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka says the Nations League is like "a mini Euros".
"I see it as a privilege to play in front of your home fans," the Bayern Munich man said.
"It's a chance to gift our country a title, even if it's a small one."
Update:
Date: 19:39 BST
Title: Post
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Germany are the only team in the Nations League semi-finals yet to win the tournament.
Portugal won it in 2019, with France lifting it in 2021 and Spain triumphing in 2023.
Update:
Date: 19:34 BST
Title: Team news
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Germany hand a debut to Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade, 23.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen starts in goal after recovering from a long injury.
Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz starts up front.
Several first-team regulars like Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Antonio Rudiger are injured.
Germany XI: Marc-André ter Stegen, Robin Koch, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sané, Nick Woltemade.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line for Portugal as always.
Nuno Mendes starts at left-back four days after winning the Champions League with PSG at the same ground.
Potential debutant Rodrigo Mora, 18, is on the bench.
Portugal XI: Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, Rúben Dias, João Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo, Trincão.
Update:
Date: 19:28 BST
Title: No rest for Allianz Arena groundsmen
Content: Germany v Portugal (20:00 BST)
Just four days ago the Champions League final was played at the Allianz Arena - with PSG beating Inter Milan 5-0.
You might have thought that would be the last match on at the Munich venue for a while, but nope - tonight it hosts the first Uefa Nations League semi-final between hosts Germany and Portugal.
Welcome to live text commentary of that one.
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