German press name the two 'problem' players in their camp - who are both due to start at the Euros - as fears are raised over naming their team early

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As we enter into the final days before the start of Euro 2024, the German press has identified two 'problem' players in the camp who are set to start their campaign.

Germany face Scotland in the opening match of this summer's European Championships, with Hungary and Switzerland also in the hosts' group as they seek to reach the knockout stages. 

There are fears that the decision to clearly identify key players who will be involved early on in the process has created issues which could come back to haunt Germany.

The German press has expressed concerns about keeping faith with Manuel Neuer in goal, and keeping Ilkay Gundogan as captain.

The experienced shot-stopper, 38, has been a stalwart of the Germany national side since 2009, winning the World Cup trophy in 2014.

German media has expressed fears that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could be a liability this year

Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann already confirmed that Neuer is his No. 1 for the tournament

Ilkay Gundogan remains Germany's captain, despite some lacklustre international showings

Meanwhile, Gundogan was named the national team captain by Hansi Flick in September 2023, and Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed that he has stuck by that call.  

However, fans think Neuer has passed his peak, with an error which gifted Greece a goal in Germany's final friendly ahead of this summer's European Championships, and now the country's media also question if he is the right choice for the tournament, fearing he might become a liability. 

In his column for Kicker, former top goalkeeper Uli Stein said: 'It's a home-made problem that [Head Coach] Julian Nagelsmann has created for himself with his early decision. 

'If you take a Manuel Neuer with you, you have to let him play. But he no longer justifies it in sporting terms. 

'With a heavy heart, but with common sense, he should have been left at home.'

Meanwhile, Bild has highlighted the 'second problem case' regarding Gundogan's captaincy.  

The paper noted: 'If you make him captain, you have to let him play. However, the Barca star has been lacklustre in recent international matches. 

'And after the comeback of Toni Kroos, other constellations in central midfield would also be possible.'

Neuer came under fire for spilling a tame effort into the path of Real Madrid's Joselu in May

There has been speculation that Marc-Andre ter Stegen should be Germany's top keeper

There has been some speculation that 32-year-old goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen should be Germany's number one, but Nagelsmann has stuck to his choice. declaring Neuer the undisputed No. 1 back in March.

In May, Neuer came under fire for spilling a tame effort into the path of Real Madrid's Joselu, which gifted the Spanish side a late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final second-leg, which Carlo Ancelotti's side ultimately won.  

Germany has never changed first-choice goalkeepers during a major tournament, but any further mistakes by the 38-year-old could force fans and the media to be more vocal about a shake-up. 

Neuer earned his 118th national team cap in their 2-1 win over Greece, but there is a moment he will not remember fondly from the match.

Just after the half hour mark, the Bayern Munich stopper spilled a simple shot straight into the path of Giorgos Masouras, who profited from the mistake to put the Greeks into the lead. 

Kai Havertz and Pascal Gross scored second half goals for the Euro 2024 hosts, ahead of their opening fixture of the tournament against Scotland on Friday night. 

Gundogan played the opening 68 minutes of the match in Monchengladbach, before being replaced by Gross, who scored the 89th-minute winner for the hosts.  

Gundogan is preparing for his fifth national team squad after two Euros and two World Cups

Nagelsmann's Germany face Scotland in the opener, as well as Hungary and Switzerland

This summer's European Championships will be Neuer's eighth tournament for Germany, having been named goalie of the tournament during their success at the World Cup a decade ago. 

Gundogan is preparing for his fifth squad with the national team, having previously been involved in Euro 2012, the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 (in 2021) and the Qatar World Cup at the end of 2022.