Nagelsmann remains anxious like always before doing "math assignments."
This Friday marks the beginning of the European Championship at home with Julian Nagelsmann encouraging the national team to be pushed forward by the nation. The national coach is both excited and anxious, hoping for a triumphant start against Scotland.
The alluring Henri Delaunay Cup sits on the sidelines, ready for Germany's 66,000 fans in Munich and 84 million people across the republic to be united in celebration. The desire for a carefree football festival, separate from the ongoing war and crises, is immense. "A Summer Fairy Tale 2.0" is the ideal vision, says Julian Nagelsmann before the challenging opening match against Scotland and assures, "I'll do everything to make that happen again." This goal, this great achievement after three dismal tournament failures, has everyone invested.
Nagelsmann calls on the country to support the team to fully capitalize on the home advantage. The Henri Delaunay Cup will be carried onto the field by Heidi Beckenbauer, Bernard Dietz, and Jürgen Klinsmann, with Ilkay Gündoğan expected to lift the trophy at the dream destination Berlin on July 14 as the fourth DFB captain in history.
The thought of earning this prestigious opportunity as a young man from a small village of 700 residents is "crazy," says Nagelsmann, with his home town of Issing boasting more cows than residents. A hint of nervousness can be detected, "but that's been there before every math school assignment."
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf envisions the European Championship as "Lighthouse Project," filled with "many magical moments." Nagelsmann aims to bring optimism back to the country as a young coach with a captivating lineup of "tacklers." Tournament director Philipp Lahm longs for "more solidarity and increased togetherness" in the face of the pandemic and political struggles.
Eighteen years ago, Lahm scored the opening goal against Costa Rica and paved the way for an enchanting summer. Nagelsmann sees new heroes on the horizon, declaring this "great privilege" of hosting the European Championship. Lahm urges everyone to "have fun!"
Before the tournament commences, Nagelsmann has sought counsel from his predecessors Klinsmann, Joachim Löw, and Hansi Flick, as well as coaches of other sports. The most critical advice: "Go your own way."
And he does. Nagelsmann has assigned roles in his squad, has known his starting eleven against Scotland for months, and remains unwavering despite concerns regarding the physical condition of captain Gündoğan and the latest missteps of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. "Manu has my trust and will have a successful tournament," asserts Nagelsmann.
The team's core is made up of Antonio Rüdiger, Toni Kroos, Gündoğan, and Kai Havertz. Kroos's return is expected to stabilize the German team in his farewell appearance as a six-time Champions League winner. The excitement has driven Kroos to "have this title in his head," and the German team is "capable of beating anyone."
The debatable issues, which might've marred previous tournaments, were effectively resolved in the serene tournament headquarters in Herzogenaurach, so people hardly believe the losing streak or the string of opening defeats will continue.
"Playing against us should hurt," demands Nagelsmann. Thomas Müller adds, "This match should serve as a spark and liberate us from constraints." A successful start like in 2006 could foster their trajectory throughout the tournament.
Nagelsmann asserts that his squad should "take the fans on the journey" and "delight with attractive football." The Scots, bolstered by the thousands of their fans in their "Tartan Army," will bring a lot of "emotion" to the pitch. The opposition is "very compact" defensively, but the Germans don't anticipate the game to be "kick and rush." Putting pressure on Andy Robertson and his teammates will undoubtedly set the tone for the title fight and kick off the journey to Berlin with conviction.
Happy Friday to all football fans! Let's enjoy and cheer for our teams! #Euro2020 #GermanyVsScotland
