Hrubesch sticks with Germany formula

Germany may have a new Under-21 coach in Horst Hrubesch but he has named a familiar squad for the 18 November friendly against Italy in Osnabruck.

Hrubesch plan
Hrubesch has taken caretaker charge since Dieter Eilts was dismissed last week, despite securing qualification for next summer's UEFA European U21 Championship in Sweden. After naming his first party for the game against fellow finalists Italy, the 57-year-old said: "I see no reason to totally revamp the squad. Our players can use the prestige match against Italy to show that they want to be part of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden next year. We want to take command. Our goal is it to act instead of react. Our boys have enough quality to do just that. We have good a good team and strong individual players, capable of deciding a match. If all are fit and work as a unit, we are capable of going all the way next year."

Boenisch withdraws
Shortly after being named in the squad, Sebastian Boenisch withdrew after injuring his left thigh in training for Werder Bremen. "It's really annoying but I hope to be back soon," said the defender. "I would have loved to have played against Italy but my health is the most important thing."

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (FC Schalke 04), Florian Fromlowitz (Hannover 96).

Defenders: Andreas Beck (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Jérome Boateng (Hamburger SV), Niko Bungert (1. FSV Mainz 05), Benedikt Höwedes (FC Schalke 04), Fabian Johnson (TSV 1860 München), Daniel Schwaab (SC Freiburg).

Midfielders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Gonzalo Castro (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Sami Khedira (VfB Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (FC Bayern München), Mesut Özil (Werder Bremen), Markus Steinhöfer (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Forwards: Ashkan Dejagah (VfL Wolfsburg), Chindedu Ede (MSV Duisburg), Marcel Heller (MSV Duisburg), Sandro Wagner (MSV Duisburg), Daniel Halfar (DSC Arminia Bielefeld).