England’s rivalry with Germany is one of the most fierce in the history of international football....CONTINUE READING
With the Three Lions’ World Cup victory over the West Germans in 1966 seeing Alf Ramsey’s side to glory, England then enjoyed another stunning victory in 2001 when Sven-Göran Eriksson’s side hammered their rivals 5-1 in Munich.
Fans will now be hoping that Gareth Southgate’s side can record another stunning victory when they travel to Germany in the UEFA Nations League – a clash that will be live on talkSPORT with Adrian Durham, Jim Proudfoot and Dean Ashton.
Despite it being the end of a long, hard season, England possess the sort of squad that many in world football can only dream, meaning that victory in Munich this time around wouldn’t be seen as much of an upset.
The same wasn’t said back in 2016 when the Three Lions recorded a wonderful 3-2 friendly win in Germany with the most unlikely of teams on display.
Wedged between two golden generations of talent, Roy Hodgson set off to face their rivals with a starting XI that, on paper, looked questionable at best.
So who was part of the England XI to see off Germany in March 2016? talkSPORT.com takes a look.
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Goalkeeper: Jack Butland (Fraser Forster)
A 23-year-old at the time, Butland was regarded as one of the top young goalkeepers in the country at the back end of the 2015-16 season thanks to his form for Stoke City.
Despite starting the match, Butland was replaced by Fraser Forster who after successful spells with Celtic and Southampton now looks set for a summer move to Tottenham.
Right back: Nathaniel Clyne
Long before Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emergence at Liverpool it was Clyne who picked to face the Germans.
Unfortunately a number of injuries stopped the pacey full-back from nailing down the spot long-term, making the Germany clash one of just 14 appearances for his country.
Central defence: Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill
A partnership that is now past its prime, Smalling and Cahill were the men chosen to face the Germans that night in Munich.
The pair dominated for Manchester United and Chelsea at the time and did a decent job of keeping a talented German attack quiet that night.
Left back: Danny Rose
A player who was undoubtedly England’s best left-back during the mid-noughties.
Rose was at the peak of his powers for Tottenham and certainly put in a good display for his country that night.
Central midfield: Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson
A player who had made his England debut in November 2015, Dier got his first goal for the Three Lions with a last-minute winner in Munich to very much endear himself to supporters.
As for Henderson, the Liverpool star was coming to the end of his first campaign as Reds’ captain and showed that influence and maturity for England in a massive match.
Right winger: Adam Lallana (Ross Barkley)
Long before the current crop of talented young players came along, England were perhaps enduring something of a drought in that department as Lallana was named as a starter.
He lasted just over 70 minutes before being replaced by Ross Barkley who was arguably at his peak as a 23-year-old with Everton.
Left winger: Danny Welbeck (Jamie Vardy)
The forward was a real favourite in the England set-up in 2016 and would have been a part of the squad to travel to the Euros that summer had it not been for a knee injury.
However against Germany it was his replacement, Jamie Vardy, who perhaps inspired the Three Lions as he scored a late equaliser to set up a dramatic finale.
Attacking midfielder: Dele Alli
A player who is really struggling to recapture the form he showed early in his career, Alli was unstoppable back in 2016.
The midfielder was named PFA Young Player of the Year in his first full year as a Tottenham player and the clash with Germany was arguably his highest profile success of that season.
Striker: Harry Kane
The 2015-16 campaign was the year in which the Premier League learned that Kane was no one-season wonder.
Having beaten Jamie Vardy and Sergio Aguero to the top flight’s golden boot, Kane was now a regular feature for England after making his debut one year earlier, before going on to become arguably Gareth Southgate’s top star.
The England side that faced Germany in March 2016
