National squad - Eighteen years subsequent to "Poldi" and "Schweini": European Championship exhibition featuring "Wusiala"
Before the penultimate training before the major opening game, Jamal Musiala and his Bayern buddy Leroy Sané attended the warm-ups together. Florence Wirtz exercised with Nico Schlotterbeck instead.
By the EURO kick-off on Friday (9 p.m.) at the Munich Arena, Musiala and Wirtz are expected to create magic on the pitch to help host Germany achieve a dream start against Scotland. The tournament is supposed to be in the spirit of "Wusiala," a combination of Wirtz and Musiala that is gaining popularity in fan forums.
Seventeen years after the World Cup fairy tale with "Poldi" and "Schweini," Musiala and Wirtz have been chosen as the new young star duo to lead the EURO. While they may not be as outgoing as the lovable jokers Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger in 2006, who were also 21 years old at the time, they hold the weighty roles of the new face of Germany's rising talent.
On Wednesday, Julian Nagelsmann gave his players a taste of the big stage, but Musiala and Wirtz presented themselves in a more reserved manner, opting for politeness and modesty over flamboyant antics a la "Schweini" and "Poldi" at the DFB podium in Herzogenaurach. Wirtz stated, "we don't want to be the new two young Podolski and Schweinsteiger." They respect their predecessors greatly and hope to achieve a championship with the national team, just like the 2014 world champions.
Pavlovic will not be contending in the EURO—he missed the tournament due to infection. Bayern teammate Musiala expressed his sympathy for Pavlovic. In response, Nagelsmann recruited Dortmund's Emre Can. When asked about Nagelsmann replacing Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Goretzka, he remarked, "we still want a six-pack in the squad."
Though they are both young stars on the DFB squad, their efficiency with the national team is lacking. Out of his 29 appearances, Musiala has scored only 2 goals, while Wirtz has only managed 1 in 18 matches. Together, they agreed that it's not just about playing beautifully but about survival.
The two players are more than just teammates on the field; they are friends in the team camp as well. Sharing a house with captain Ilkay Gündoğan and Hoffenheim's Maximilian Beier, they spend their free time playing basketball, video games, and engaging with each other. Wirtz joked about their shared interests, saying, "friends just do what friends do."
Both players faced questions about the future of their respective clubs—Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Musiala, who is affiliated with Bayern, said he's content with his current situation. Wirtz echoed a similar sentiment, declaring that he is happy with Bayer Leverkusen. When asked about a potential future with a club like Bayern or Real, Wirtz dismissed the idea as a foolish question: "That's a stupid question."
Bayern teammate Toni Kroos, who is set to conclude his career after the Euros, has faith in the two players' potential. He observed, "Both have almost unlimited potential and are capable of playing at the top level for the next ten to fifteen years."
Musiala and Wirtz may have different statuses, even though both are expected to play significant roles in the upcoming tournament. Musiala has already competed in three major tournaments: the Euros 2021 and World Cup 2022. He acknowledges that he's not a typical young player anymore, having played in past major events. However, Wirtz is a rookie as he missed out on the World Cup 2022 due to a cruciate ligament injury. Despite this, Wirtz enters the tournament with the satisfaction of being a Leverkusen double winner. "Last year was the first time something really came out," he said confidently. His desire for more victories has been ignited.
