Overview
- On Magenta TV Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Müller proposed an experimental starting XI that put Deniz Undav ahead of Jamal Musiala as a tactical option.
- Former Germany captain Lothar Matthäus publicly criticised the suggestion and defended Musiala’s central role for the national team.
- Klopp clarified on air that the segment was meant to show squad depth and rotation options and said he did not intend to criticise or push Musiala out of the team.
- Journalists noted Musiala played limited minutes after a serious Club World Cup injury in 2025, a fact pundits used to justify rotation in a packed tournament schedule.
- Selection decisions remain with coach Julian Nagelsmann, and the episode has kept public attention on Musiala’s fitness and how Germany will manage player minutes across the World Cup.