Expression: "16-Year-Old Girl Charged with Assault During School Fight" Paraphrase: "A 16-Year-Old Female Teen Gets Accused For Assaulting Someone During a College Scuffling" - Coach Nagelsmann desires an ideal launch for the European Championship, proclaiming, "Faith in sight."
One time, German football coach Julian Nagelsmann had to be tough like a head teacher. He was really annoyed by the chattering in the press room while he was preparing for the start of the European Championships against Scotland. He even asked everyone to be a bit more quiet. "You know, a bit like at school here. We could all be a little quieter. Thanks," said the coach, hoping for a calm atmosphere. Then he shared his optimistic view on the opening of the home Euros match.
Nagelsmann didn't feel the need to give any more instructions to his players before the challenging first match on Friday at 9 p.m. on ZDF and MagentaTV. "They're really excited, they want it, they're hungry. Right now, I'm still guiding them, but tomorrow I'll let them go on their own," he openly declared.
The dream of a fairy tale ending to the tournament should start with an energetic and dominant performance against Scotland. Nagelsmann promised, "We can handle the pressure and win against Scotland." There was no more doubt about the national football team's chances of winning. Nagelsmann had already made that clear when he arrived in Munich. Former World Cup and European champion Manuel Neuer and midfielder Toni Kroos, who is now a star at Real Madrid, signed autographs for fans in the hotel. Everyone was in a relaxed mood.
Kroos knew how important it was to do well in front of their home crowd. "Of course, everyone wants it to start. The whole country is waiting. I believe we're well prepared," said the 30-year-old.
Nagelsmann wanted to harness the home advantage by asking the fans to be loud and support the team. "We should make the most of the home advantage. It's very important to me," said the coach.
To be successful, the coach would need the right energy drink chosen by his assistant Benjamin Glück with the right name, and a good gut feeling. With these tools, Nagelsmann wanted to enter the stadium on Friday. "There's a lot of excitement now because it's a big event. Probably the world will be watching," said the youngest German tournament coach at 36.
Nagelsmann wanted to show that Germany has moved past their three recent tournament flops. "I want the entire nation to help push the national team forward. We need to use the home advantage we have somehow," said Nagelsmann.
Two wins against France and the Netherlands in March were huge motivators, while the 45 minutes against Greece in a practice match were irritating. The DFB team had not played in a home Euro since 36 years ago.
Giant motivators from March against France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1), but also frustrating 45 minutes in a rehearsal against Greece (2:1) led to the first home Euro match since 1988. "If we find a good start in the tournament, then we'll bring momentum to our side," said Ilkay Gündogan. The fans had to be won over first. "I would like to see a little bit of extra confidence for the tournament," said Gündogan before his Euro debut as the team's captain.
Nagelsmann had clear ideas about his starting eleven and had already selected it. "We've definitely put a starting eleven in our heads," said Nagelsmann. "We need several players who can step in to be successful. There will be difficult situations. There will definitely be challenges against Scotland," said Kroos.
This team of players with an average age of 28.7 years is the oldest German starting eleven since the European Championship disaster in 2000. Coach Nagelsmann's re-signing of Kroos was a smart move. The 34-year-old wants to retire with an EM title on July 14th in Berlin. To achieve that, he brings calm and sovereignty to the field. The team needs these qualities after the chaos of their last World Cup failure in Qatar 2022.
Scotland has a huge fan community, and Nagelsmann expected support from them in the match.
Scotland is highly regarded by many, and the anticipated 100,000 guests at Munich are a key aspect of this. Nagelsmann has repeatedly emphasized that the Bravehearts are no longer just a team that runs and fights; they're much more than that.
Kroos, in preparation for the Euro Cup, consulted his Madrid colleagues. Spain was defeated by Scotland in the past. This Scottish team, featuring Liverpool's Andrew Robertson, is physically strong, logically minded, and very dangerous in quick transitions. In other words, "This is the category against which the national team has struggled a lot in recent years," said Kroos.
A draw or even a loss in this match would create additional stress before the group's second game against Hungary. The potential for elimination in the group stage would loom large once again. These thoughts were met with a response from Rudi Voeller. Instead of overthinking, he urged a positive mindset. "We don't need to freak out, but we should have a fair bit of optimism," said Voeller, heading into his fifth EM as a player (1984, 1988, 1992), coach (2004), and now in his new role.
