National squad - After 18 years since "Poldi" and "Schweini", the European Championship returns with "Wusiala".
In the lead-up to the final training before the opening match at the European Cup on Friday, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané of Bayern Munich attended their own warm-up sessions separately from Florian Wirtz, who practiced with Nico Schlotterbeck. It's expected that by the beginning of the tournament, both Musiala and Wirtz will put on spectacular displays for host Germany against Scotland.
This dynamic duo of Musiala and Wirtz, referred to by some as "Wusiala," have already garnered attention in fan forums, hearkening back to the popular 2006 World Cup players, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Although they differ in nature from the beloved humorists of the past, they hold the position of young standouts in the Euros.
Ahead of the press conference, Julian Nagelsmann gave Musiala and Wirtz a taste of the grand stage. However, unlike the exuberant press conferences of Schweini and Poldi, the two young players came across as more reserved, polite, and modest. "We don't want to be the new Podolski and Schweinsteiger," Wirtz noted. "They were idols before, and that's an honorable comparison," he added.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Aleksandar Pavlovic (20) won't be participating in the tournament due to an infection. Julien Nagelsmann then called up Emre Can (30) from Dortmund instead of Bayern's Leon Goretzka. "We want a six-pack in the squad," said the national coach, addressing Can.
Musiala and Wirtz both need to boost their performance in the DFB team. Their effectiveness is significantly lower for Musiala (29 appearances, 2 goals) and Wirtz (18/1). Musiala acknowledged the need to contribute more, stating, "We can't just be beautiful; we don't want to die in beauty."
Despite sharing a similar approach on the field, the pair are friends off-field, living together with team captain Ilkay Gündogan and Hoffenheim's Maximilian Beier in one of four wooden houses. They enjoy activities like playing basketball, FIFA, and chatting.
As goalkeepers, Wirtz and Musiala can present challenges. "Flo and Jamal are very evasive players who excel in one-on-one situations and resolve tight situations." This poses a dilemma for defenders, who face the risk of being duped by their opponents.
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, who's retiring after the Euros, expressed his faith in the future of these two players, noting, "Both bring everything it takes to play at the top for the next ten, fifteen years."
Although the pair has occasionally joked about potentially being teammates at Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, for Wirtz, it's too early to make any decisions. "It's a silly question," he said. Kroos considers there to be little limit in their potential and predicts that they'll become significant captains in the coming years.
Musiala and Wirtz have the potential to create headaches for defenders with their swift movements and their ability to navigate tight spaces. "Flo and Jamal are very crafty players who are a nightmare to deal with in one-on-one situations," said Kroos. Despite this, the DFB appreciates this dynamic partnership, ready to face off against opponents in the hope of scoring their first victory during this tournament.
Musiala and Wirtz have contrasting experiences despite both starting as regulars in the tournament. Musiala, often referred to as "Bambi" in his early days, has participated in three major tournaments, including Euros 2021 and World Cup 2022. He feels like he's no longer the typical young player. Wirtz, being 67 days younger, is making his tournament debut after missing World Cup 2022 because of a cruciate ligament injury. However, he enters the Euros with the confidence of a Leverkusen double winner. "Last year was the first time something significant happened," he said with pride. The desire for more titles has ignited in him.
