Final exam prior to EM - An excessive number of construction locations
Julian Nagelsmann had been mulling over a plan for some time. As the national coach, he could tell his national players needed a break. They deserved two days off over the weekend to spend time with family, catch up with friends, or unwind. So, the squad wouldn't assemble in Herzogenaurach until Monday. On this day, they'd have a public training session at the Adidas wellness oasis, which was about to end its sponsorship deal. The focus was now on Scotland, their opponent in the highly anticipated opening match of the European Championship scheduled for June 14 in Munich.
The team hadn't made any progress after a somewhat lackluster rehearsal against Greece (2:1). Their performances during the March friendlies against France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1) were misleading; they suggested the German team had the necessary performance strength, which was far from the truth. Their results against Ukraine (0:0) and Greece provided a more accurate portrayal of the DFB selection's capabilities. The performances weren't dreadful, but they certainly weren't impressive.
Fans were clearly excited about the upcoming home tournament, even in Moenchengladbach. However, their reaction to their team's lethargic first-half performance was mixed. Some booed at the lackluster ball play, while others cheered "Germany, Germany". Toni Kroos admitted that they had played "faulty" and "unruly", even with "a bit too much calmness". The team needed to step up to avoid being caught off guard in the group stage. Nagelsmann hinted at playing 'the same'"'three times a 2:1", suggesting his faith in his team extended far beyond its actual capabilities.
There were doubts surrounding Germany's forte: Manuel Neuer's weak performance before Giorgos Masouras' goal sparked a goalkeeper debate. Neuer's World Cup in Qatar performance, followed by his broken bone, led to a string of unsettling incidents. He lost Real Madrid the Champions League semi-final and relinquished second place in the Bundesliga beat Hoffenheim. In the national team, he misjudged a Ukraine shot. Then, there was his mishandling of a simple shot outside the penalty area in his comeback against Ukraine.
Neuer's lack of self-criticism was surprising. It was also intriguing how Nagelsmann, who seemed incredibly loyal to Neuer, refused to analyze or even tweak his errors. Nagelsmann's unwavering support for Neuer, despite his performance, seemed odd. Regardless, Neuer's backups, 36-year-old Pascal Groß, had stepped up in his absence, saving Germany in the closing minutes for the 2-1 victory (89th minute). The win boosted morale significantly, despite it being a late goal - Bayer Leverkusen's specialty was impressive, but the comparison was inadequate. Gladbach had relied on their automatisms, while Xabi Alonso's coaching techniques had been the catalyst for their success.
Nagelsmann didn't have the time for such routines for the national team. The intelligent, eloquent football coach had recently made some interesting statements. He was visibly upset by Germany's failure to utilize their potential during World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Therefore, he was determined to prevent any wasted opportunities at the 2024 European Championship in Germany, urging everyone to give their all in each match. If they couldn't conquer the summit of European football, Nagelsmann would understand. Even the fans might be content.
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- Despite the criticism, Julian Nagelsmann remained loyal to Manuel Neuer, the German goalkeeper who hailed from Munich and had been part of the DFB squad for many years, even playing for Adidas-sponsored Bayern Munich.
- The DFB squad, including notable players like Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer, would assemble in Herzogenaurach on Monday before their public training session at the Adidas wellness oasis, a location that was about to end its partnership with the sportswear giant.
- Following their mediocre performance against Greece, the DFB squad, known for its strong German roots, was under pressure to perform well in their opening match against Scotland in the European Championship, which would take place in Munich on June 14, a significant event for both the team and the nation.
- As the national coach, Julian Nagelsmann recognized the need to boost the team's morale before the European Championship started. He planned to allow the German players, including standout stars like Neuer and Kroos, to take a break over the weekend before they resumed their training in Herzogenaurach.
- Despite the infamous "three times a 2:1" comment, Julian Nagelsmann ensured that his team, including Adidas-sponsored players like Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer, trained diligently in Herzogenaurach before the European Championship, determined to put in their best effort and make their home country proud.
