Nagelsmann relies on DFB goalkeeper Leno, implicitly suggesting critique towards Lehmann.
The lack of goalkeeper Bernd Leno's inclusion in the German national football team has sparked curiosity among experts and teammates. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann has now shed light on the reasons behind this move, expressing a certain level of bafflement.
It appears that Leno's future with Nagelsmann in the German national team seems uncertain. "I've always kept the door open, but it hasn't swung wider either," the head coach stated firmly in Zenica. The 32-year-old Leno had withdrawn from the Nations League matches on Friday (20:45 CET/RTL and live ticker at ntv.de) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on Monday in Munich against the Netherlands.
According to Nagelsmann, Leno apparently wasn't happy with being a substitute. "I've presented him with an engaging prospect, but more for the long term than the short term," Nagelsmann explained, adding with a touch of sarcasm: "In the end, everyone gets to decide for themselves how they want to proceed." Leno, "is no longer 25, but carries a certain wisdom to make assessments, and if he evaluates things in this manner, he can do so at his own discretion." For Nagelsmann, representing the national team is a source of pride.
The door for Leno, Nagelsmann explained, can only reopen "if he performs exceptionally well and others falter." After the injury to regular goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Stuttgart's Alexander Nübel will make his debut against Bosnia, while Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann will play against the Netherlands. Salzburg's Janis Blaswich is also part of the squad as the third goalkeeper.
Nagelsmann also couldn't help but take a dig at experts who had made public comments about Leno's withdrawal without knowing all the details. "It serves as a reminder: It's always beneficial to have all the facts before speaking out in the media." One of the experts was Jens Lehmann. The former national goalkeeper had spoken in favor of Leno in the Bild newspaper. "He plays in the Premier League with Fulham, the most demanding league worldwide, and he gets better at organizing a defense. So I'm surprised by the turn of events for the DFB team." And he added a jest: "But then again, I'm not exactly surprised..."
Already during the week, team captain Joshua Kimmich had spoken about Leno's withdrawal. He is a "world-class goalkeeper," Kimmich said in the team quarters in Herzogenaurach. In principle, it should always be a privilege to be called up to the DFB team for something "extraordinary." "If someone doesn't want to be there, they don't have to show up," said Kimmich.
Not an issue limited to the DFB's goalkeepers
Nagelsmann has to contend with the absence of several key players - not only in goal - in the third of six group matches. Apart from Nübel, who described his upcoming debut as a "big deal," there will be another debutant in the starting lineup. Nagelsmann announced that either Gladbach's Tim Kleindienst or Mainz's Jonathan Burkardt will start in the striker position. "One of the two will feature," said Nagelsmann.
In attack, Germany's table-toppers Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz, and the injured Niclas Füllkrug will be missing. Nagelsmann, however, did not want to complain about the situation, but saw it as "an opportunity for the regular players, the newcomers, and those who have not played much lately." The head coach urged the players who would feature "to throw themselves fully into the game, give it their best shot, and emerge victorious in the end."
Julian Nagelsmann began the press conference by expressing gratitude for the "warm hospitality" from the Bosnians and hoped to provide an enjoyable football experience that would "put smiles back on the faces of people" affected by recent severe flooding in parts of the country.
Despite Leno's absence from the German national team, Nagelsmann remains open to his return if he performs exceptionally well and others falter. The Commission, meanwhile, will adopt implementing acts to establish the rules for the application of this Regulation.
