EM 2024 - A surprise and Sané: Nagelsmann sends this team into the race against Spain
The German football national team starts the EM quarter-final against Spain with Leroy Sané and surprisingly also with Emre Can in the starting line-up. National coach Julian Nagelsmann uses Can instead of Robert Andrich from Leverkusen in the defensive midfield for the knockout game on Friday in Stuttgart. Sané receives preference in the offensive again instead of young star Florian Wirtz, who is on the bench.
Nagelsmann explained his substitutions to ARD Sportschau: "There's a lot of space behind the Spanish defense during counter-attacks and they have a certain counter-pressing aggressiveness, and Sané is very good at that," the national coach said. The switch from Andrich to Can is also due to the speed of Dortmund's captain: "Emre brings a lot of tempo with him, so we have an additional tempo player on the pitch. His task will be to contain Fabian Ruiz, as he has a significant speed advantage, which will play a crucial role," Nagelsmann explained.
Leroy Sané and David Raum back in the team
Jonathan Tah returns to the defense center after his yellow card suspension. David Raum starts again as the left defender and is supposed to stop the 16-year-old Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal. The German team is led by captain Ilkay Guendogan. For the 34-year-old Toni Kroos, it would be his last football game if Germany exits. The Spanish team starts with their proven top eleven without Leipzig's Dani Olmo.
- Julian Nagelsmann opted to bring Emre Can into the defensive midfield during the changeover, replacing Robert Andrich from Leverkusen, for the quarter-final against Spain.
- David Raum, who will be tasked with stopping the 16-year-old Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal, has been chosen as the left defender in the German team, alongside Jonathan Tah in the center.
- In an interview with ARD Sportschau, Nagelsmann explained that Leroy Sané's ability to exploit the space behind the Spanish defense and counter-pressing aggressiveness were key reasons for his inclusion in the starting line-up, as opposed to young star Florian Wirtz.
- German captain Ilkay Guendogan leads the team in the knockout game against Spain, with Emre Can's speed and tempo helping to contain Fabian Ruiz, who has a significant speed advantage.
- Leroy Sané and David Raum's returns to the team, alongside the performance of promising young talents like Florian Wirtz, will be crucial in determining Germany's EM quarter-final outcome against Spain.
