European Championship round of sixteen - DFB team erases "old hard drive": now in the profit zone
In the adrenaline rush of the fan-favorite "Completely detached" hymn, Julian Nagelsmann realized that he had advanced the German National Team into the winning zone at the Home-EM with a 2:0 (0:0) victory against stubborn Danes in a game that the trainer described as a "bizarre match" due to the extraordinary accompanying circumstances, including the rain interruption, disallowed goals, nerve-wracking video evidence, and crucial moments like Kai Havertz's ice-cold converted penalty.
After the Dortmund fairy tale, the tournament for the host cannot end in great frustration, even if the dream of the final on July 14 in Berlin and the fourth EM title does not come true.
"It was absolutely no easy game," Nagelsmann admitted, facing the unusual accompanying phenomena, including the weather interruption, disallowed goals, nerve-wracking video evidence, and crucial moments like Havertz's ice-cold converted penalty.
First time since 2016 winning a knockout game
"Winning such a game against the opponents who also make a lot of difference in the players' psyche, and that too as a favorite, makes me proud," Nagelsmann said. The relief was palpable and visible, especially in the many embraces from DFB sports director Rudi Völler on the sidelines. For the first time since the EM 2016, the National Team won a knockout game at a major tournament and thus exorcised the bad spirits of the WM flops 2018 and 2022 and the EM 2021.
"They deserve it, that they gradually understand how good they really are," Nagelsmann said. "The rattling in the heads," when things went wrong, was slowly fading away. The pressure is now positive.
Deep into the night, the DFB troop returned to the Heartogenaurach EM camp. Trainers, players, and staff were all looking forward to a day of enjoyment with their families, which would end with the big wait for the quarterfinal opponent. "Spain, Georgia, I'm looking forward to both," announced captain Ilkay Gündogan before the resolution of the opponent question on the late Sunday evening.
"We don't have to hide from anyone"
Germany has a tournament team again. And after eight games without defeat, the belief, fueled by the fans who have reclaimed their National Team, is that they can pass even the biggest European championship tests. "I haven't heard anyone say we have to reach the round of 16. At a tournament at home, you always come to win if you have the quality we have," proclaimed the tribune Niclas Füllkrug: "We don't have to hide from anyone!"
Every game should be a power play. Against the Danes, it was an exhilarating emotional roller coaster. "It was a wild game. The first 20 minutes were the best from us in the tournament," Nagelsmann said. What a dramatic structure. "The rain interruption, the supposed own goal, then our penalty, for which I can understand the Danes getting excited," Nagelsmann described the decisive moments. He also thanked the fans: "The stadium had a super atmosphere and pushed us."
Defense wins tournaments? "Yes, that's right"
The 36-year-old himself was able to transform limiting pressure into energy: "It's a privilege to play under this pressure. We want to continue." The team spirit agrees, and from that, a positive performance climate is born. "Everyone respects their job in the team, everyone fights for each other," said the emotional leader and defender Antonio Rudiger, who was named player of the game.
The defense is no longer a risk, but a success factor. "Compliments to our defenders, they really stepped up," said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. At the World Cup victory ten years ago in Brazil, a football wisdom was discussed on Saturday evening. A strong defense wins tournaments? "Yes, that's true," answered Neuer.
In the fourth tournament game, Nagelsmann, with his assistant Sandro Wagner, who stands out as a fan-rouser, showed that they had put together a valid EURO squad for the first time. They changed the starting lineup for the first time, bringing on Nico Schlotterbeck, who replaced the suspended Jonathan Tah with outstanding performance, as well as Leroy Sane and David Raum from the start. "Except for Robin Koch, everyone (field player) had an appearance," Nagelsmann highlighted. The competition for starting positions is in motion.
First Havertz, then Musiala
Even if the offensive efficiency against Denmark was not title-worthy, the team has players who can make a difference. Like Havertz, who scored the goal after missing some chances earlier. Or Jamal Musiala, who scored the 2:0 from a world-class ball from Schlotterbeck from his own half and already has three tournament goals, making him one of the defining figures of this EURO festival.
"We had chances where we could have made the game easier. The good thing is that we create chances. On other days they don't go in," said Musiala. A joker goal from Füllkrug was not necessary this time. "The competition is always there in football, but we are fair fighters," said Havertz about the fight for positions, whether up front or in the back.
Nagelsmann will only start the Viertelfinal countdown after a training-free Monday. Joshua Kimmich has already pulled the crowd's joker card once. "The fans were extremely present," he praised after his 90th international game, the "best atmosphere" in Dortmund so far. That should also be topped off on Friday (18.00 Uhr) in Stuttgart, said Kimmich.
- Despite the challenging circumstances, including rain interruptions and disallowed goals, North Rhine-Westphalia's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, led Germany to a 2:0 victory against Denmark in the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2021, moving them into the profit zone.
- The win marked the first time since 2016 that the DFB team had advanced past the knockout stage in a major tournament, providing a sense of relief and pride for all involved.
- Kai Havertz, a key player for North Rhine-Westphalia, converted a crucial penalty to secure the victory, showcasing his composure under pressure.
- The victory also marked a turning point for the German National Team, with coach Nagelsmann praising the players' growing understanding of their own abilities and the fading away of past mistakes.
- With the victory over Denmark, North Rhine-Westphalia advanced to the quarterfinals of the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2021, setting their sights on a possible berth in the final in Berlin on July 14.
- Striker Niclas Füllkrug, a fan-favorite, echoed Nagelsmann's confidence, declaring that "we don't have to hide from anyone" as Germany approached the toughest tests of the tournament.
- Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, one of the veteran defenders on the team, praised the improved performance of the defense, which had previously been a source of concern.
- The tournament win in 2010, where defense was a key factor, served as a reminder that a strong defense is crucial for success in soccer tournaments.
- Newcomers such as Nico Schlotterbeck and Leroy Sane demonstrated their value in the starting lineup, showcasing their potential for the future of the German National Team.
- Key players like Havertz and Musiala continued to perform well, with Musiala already notching three goals in the tournament, highlighting the depth of talent on the German roster as they prepare for the quarterfinals.
