Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal (left) fights for the ball against Real Madrid's Toni Kroos during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastián, Spain, Sept 20, 2020. (ALVARO BARRIENTOS / AP)

BERLIN - Toni Kroos, Ilkay Guendogan, and Joshua Kimmich set up Germany's defense against France's superior offensive power.

German coach Joachim Low seems convinced only a massive block in midfield and over the flanks can get hold of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, and Karim Benzema.

Reports speak of Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich making a sacrifice for the team's benefit by moving from midfield to the right-back position as part of the back-chain of 5 to address Low's demands to keep the goal safe.

Antonio Ruediger, Mats Hummels, and Matthias Ginter make the back-row of center-backs, changing in a quintet when under attack, with Kimmich and Robin Gosens covering the side spaces. Leon Goretzka is sidelined, recovering from injury.

While the most pressing issue seems solved, team-spirits are rising to new heights in Germany's Euro 2020 base camp in Herzogenaurach, located out in the countryside on the ground of team supplier and association sponsor Adidas.

German coach Joachim Low seems convinced only a massive block in midfield and over the flanks can get hold of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, and Karim Benzema

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While Low, 200 kilometers off the Munich arena playground, might have remembered his successful move in Brazil, counting on Bayern midfielder Philipp Lahm as a full-back, some fans feel in the middle of a possible revival of the team's triumph in Rio.

Like Lahm, Kimmich's career developed to a world-class level over the right side before the 26-year-old gained his place in Bayern's midfield as a team leader.

Former Bayern coach Pep Guardiola (City) triggered Kimmich's variability appointing him on several positions. "It was him turning Kimmich into the team's most variable player of use on many positions," Lahm said.

Years later, in the 2020 Champions League final against Paris, Kimmich delivered the decisive assist for Kingsley Coman as a dynamic right-back. Under Bayern coach Hansi Flick the French scored the winning goal with a header.

With Kimmich taking up a new job, Low creates space for Real star Kroos and Citizen midfielder Guendogan. Both now might carefully consider their forward pushing due to their new defensive duties. Guendogan in the first place will play a bigger role in the back.

While Low seems to have found his golden way, debates about Kimmich's best spot remain.

"His best position is the one in front of the back-row, but we shouldn't forget we have Kroos and Guendogan around. To place Kimmich on the right side is a promising option," Lahm stated.

Former German coach and 1996 European Champion Berti Vogts is opposing plans to retreat Kimmich from midfield as "the team might be just overrun by France when losing control in midfield."

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Like Vogts, former German international Stefan Effenberg favors Kimmich in midfield "as I have the impression, he doesn't feel overwhelmingly comfortable on the side."

Kimmich seems much more relaxed regarding the topic. "As long as we win the games, I don't care about my position," the midfielder commented. Guendogan spoke about detailed talks between the players "of how we do things to gain stability. We are optimistic to stop France."

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff expects "a highly tactically influenced game against a team packed with world-class performers."

The 1996 European Champion called France the favorites but said a German team "always have to deliver."