MATCHDAY: Germany faces Ukraine side depleted by virus cases

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This article was published 09/10/2020 (2136 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at the pick of the Nations League games in Europe on Saturday:

UKRAINE vs. GERMANY

Germany coach Joachim Löw has recalled his Bayern Munich contingent of Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry, and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, for their Nations League meeting with Ukraine. Forward Timo Werner is also back. Germany has drawn its last three games and Löw was particularly aggrieved to concede a last-minute equalizer against Turkey in their 3-3 result on Wednesday. His team was leading three times but lacked the concentration to hold out for the win. A Ukraine side depleted by coronavirus cases and injuries lost to France 7-1 in Paris on Wednesday, but coach Andriy Shevchenko is hoping some of his Shakhtar Donetsk players return for Germany. Despite high coronavirus numbers in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko has relaxed restrictions and permitted up to 20,000 fans with hygiene measures in place.

SPAIN vs. SWITZERLAND

With high expectations surrounding youngsters Ansu Fati and Adama Traoré, Spain goes for its second win in a row when it hosts winless Switzerland in Group 4. Fati and Traoré have attracted attention locally after successful debuts with the national team. The game, which will be at Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, happens a day after Spain’s government declared a state of emergency in the Madrid to limit movement in and out of the city to try to contain a surge in coronavirus cases. Switzerland is hoping to count on Xherdan Shaqiri after a negative COVID-19 test followed a positive result.

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