On Monday, Müller joined the German squad as a replacement for Niclas Füllkrug, who had strained a tendon.
Müller will compete for a spot in the attack alongside Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz.
Jamal Musiala, who had been expected to feature in the game, has withdrawn from the squad due to a back injury.
Germany’s usual captain, Manuel Neuer, is still out with an injury and Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to be in goal.
In Neuer’s absence, Ilkay Gündogan has been named captain by Hansi Flick, who is expected to field his strongest possible team in the friendly against Japan.
During a press conference, Flick announced that İlkay Gündoğan would be Germany’s new captain and would form a leadership duo with Joshua Kimmich as the vice-captain.
This means that Manuel Neuer will no longer be the captain, a role he had taken over from Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2016.
Kimmich had previously deputized as captain, and the pair have been nominated as a “leadership duo” by Flick.
Gündogan expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him, stating that it is a huge honour for him to lead the team.
However, Flick made it clear that the situation with Neuer was not currently an issue as he is still recovering from a broken leg he suffered during a ski trip after Germany’s elimination from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.org.ng/rugby-world-cup-2023-fiji-announces-team-to-face-wales-on-sunday/
Japan has won their last two friendlies against El Salvador and Peru in the Kirin Cup but Germany is expected to be a step up in class for them.
The Samurai Blue is packed with Bundesliga players both past and present, and two current Germany-based stars are likely to make up their back four.
Midfielder and captain Wataru Endo recently left VfB Stuttgart for Liverpool.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu left veteran Genki Haraguchi at home this time, who masterminded victory over Germany at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a squad filled with Bundesliga talent.
Probable teams
Germany: Ter Stegen, Süle, Rüdiger, Schlotterbeck – Hofmann, Kimmich, Gündogan (c), Gosens, Sane, Müller – Havertz
Out: Füllkrug (knock), Musiala (back)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Hansi Flick
Japan: Schmidt, Sugawara, Itakura, Taniguchi, H. Ito, Endo (c), Morita, J. Ito, Kamada, Mitoma, Furuhashi
Out: –
Doubtful: –
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
