Summary

  • Podolski scores stunning 25-yard goal in his Germany farewell game

  • Lallana hit post in impressive first half for England

  • Keane, Redmond & Ward-Prowse make England debuts

  • Gareth Southgate's first game as full-time England boss

  1. Captain Poldipublished at 18:39 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2017

    Germany v England (19:45 GMT)

    Lukas PodolskiImage source, Getty Images

    Tonight is being used as effectively a jumped-up testimonial for Germany forward Lukas Podolski.

    He fell out of favour as old father time caught up with the [checks notes] 31-year-old...THIRTY-ONE! Is that all?

    He's the same age as Wayne Rooney. It feels like both of them have been on the main stage for my entire life.

    Lukas PodolskiImage source, Getty Images

    Anyway, Podolski captains Germany tonight as he says goodbye.

    "Sensational," Podolski said. "It can't be any better for the last game than to run out as captain. I can only say thanks."

    Podolski played in seven tournaments over a 13-year career for Germany and has scored 48 goals in a mammoth 129-game career.

    Lukas PodolskiImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Podolski made a bad day even worse for England in 2010

  2. Sane starts for Germanypublished at 18:36 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2017
    Breaking

    Germany v England (19:45 GMT)

    Germany name just three players who started their last friendly, a 0-0 draw with Italy last November.

    Manchester City forward Leroy Sane starts, with the team captained by Lukas Podolski on his final international appearance. Timo Werner - a 21-year-old forward - makes his debut.

    Germany:  Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Lukas Podolski, Julian Weigl, Antonio Rudiger, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sane, Julia Brandt, Timo Werner.    

  3. Keane and Livermore startpublished at 18:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2017
    Breaking

    Germany v England (19:45 GMT)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer in Dortmund

    England manager Gareth Southgate will experiment with a three-man defensive system and give Burnley's Michael Keane his debut in the friendly with Germany in Dortmund tonight.

    Keane, 24, will start alongside captain Gary Cahill and Manchester United's Chris Smalling, with Manchester City's John Stones facing Lithuania in Sunday's World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

    West Bromwich Albion's Jake Livermore makes his first England appearance since the friendly with Italy in August 2012.

    England: Hart; Keane, Smalling, Cahill; Walker, Dier, Livermore, Bertrand, Lallana, Alli, Vardy.

  4. Three at the back?published at 18:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2017

    Germany v England (19:45 GMT)

    Michael KeaneImage source, Getty Images

    Everyone's at it these days - Germany played three at the back in their last international - and we expect Gareth Southgate to follow suit tonight.

    The expected team sees Michael Keane, Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill line up at the back with Eric Dier in midfield alongside Jake Livermore.

  5. The road to Russia starts here?published at 18:25 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2017

    Germany v England (19:45 GMT)

    FansImage source, PA

    Three managers in a handful of months, a dropped captain, a change of system, a familiar foe.

    Gareth Southgate's tenure as permanent England manager starts with a test as tough as they get outside of a major finals - Germany away.

    England fansImage source, Getty Images

    England are in the lions' den, guests in the home of the world champions, ingredients in the cauldron of noise which is Borussia Dortmund's magnificent Westfalenstadion. 

    Germany fanImage source, PA

    Germany have a party planned as they say goodbye to a modern day hero. England - depleted in numbers, short of real quality - are out to spoil the day.

    These two sides will almost certainly be in Russia next summer. Tonight Southgate gets an indicator of how much work he has to do.