European Football Championship - Nagelsmann's crucial question: Füllkrug or Havertz?
Niclas Füllkrug grabbed Antonio Rüdiger first. Warmly, the top striker greeted the defense chief during the final training session of the German football national team in Herzogenaurach. Good that you're back, he wanted to express.
Kai Havertz trained shortly afterwards during the warm-up next to Rüdiger. The latter might even play in the EM quarterfinals against Denmark on Saturday (21.00 hours/ZDF/Magenta TV) after his injury. Whether Füllkrug or Havertz gets the scoring assignment in the starting lineup remains a bigger mystery - and an exciting question for the fans.
What does Julian Nagelsmann think? And how does he decide? The tournament course provides arguments for both options.
That speaks for Füllkrug:
- The goal tally: 13 goals in 19 international matches. That's a good yield. When Füllkrug plays, he almost always scores. Four tournament goals in five matches at the World Cup and European Championships are the next statistical size. All four he scored as a substitute. The more playing time, the more goals. Why shouldn't he score even more often in 90 minutes?
- The momentum: Nagelsmann has a good sense for the intangible factor, for the flow. And who hovers through this EM if not the colossus Füllkrug? It feels a bit like a fairy tale, said the 31-year-old. The national coach shouldn't waste this energy.
- The fan factor: Sold-out stadium. South stand. And the local hero from Dortmund on the pitch. That gives a push and electrifies the fans. They are mostly for their "Füllle", the pro for a pat. Nagelsmann could release special emotions.
That speaks for Havertz:
- The performance: The quality of Havertz is beyond question. In all three group matches, he gave good performances, took responsibility for the penalty against Scotland. Denying him his 50th international match goes against Nagelsmann's personnel strategy. And even if he were in the team, it would be a bad signal for the role philosophy.
Even Füllkrug honestly admits: "You understand here, extremely well, that the big picture is important," he said. "I would sign it immediately to become European champions, even if I come from the bench."
- The tactics: With his technique, Havertz fits perfectly with the necessary profile against stubborn Danes. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz benefit from the Arsenal attacker. Tired Danish players can then be given the rest by Füllkrug. It doesn't have to be Havertz or Füllkrug in the game. Both would be reliable penalty takers.
- The fan factor: It sounds strange. But the emotions of the spectators are an argument for Havertz as the starting striker and Füllkrug as a joker. If it doesn't work out, his substitution would be a special signal, a wake-up call. The noise level would be enormous, the team would be motivated. Füllkrug is Nagelsmann's safety net.
... or do both play in the end?
- The Wirtz-Factor: Four times this year, Nagelsmann brought Füllkrug on as a starter for Havertz in the team. However, it was different. In the final phase of the EM-test against Greece, both were on the pitch - the game ended late with a 2:1 win. Havertz and Füllkrug also stormed the field towards the end against Switzerland, with Füllkrug scoring the late equalizer 1:1. The unthinkable variant is therefore not an option: Füllkrug up front, Havertz on the bench.
But who should be dropped? Florian Wirtz, who had a turbostart against Scotland (5:1) and then faded away? Sport director Rudi Völler doesn't see this option. "I can hardly imagine that he won't play," he said about Wirtz. So the question remains: Füllkrug or Havertz?
- The German National soccer team, currently training in Herzogenaurach, is preparing for their International match against Scotland in the EM quarterfinals.
- Niclas Füllkrug, the top striker, expressed his joy at seeing Antonio Rüdiger back from injury during the final training session.
- Bavaria-born Rüdiger might be back in action for the team, potentially playing against Denmark on Saturday at 21:00 hours, broadcast on ZDF and Magenta TV.
- The National team's offensive strategy for the EM quarterfinals is a topic of discussion, with key players like Niclas Füllkrug and Kai Havertz in contention for the scoring assignment.
- Assistant coach Julian Nagelsmann faces a crucial decision, as both players have compelling arguments for starting positions.
- Füllkrug's previous accomplishments, such as his 13 goals in 19 international matches and his strong track record of scoring in major tournaments, make him a strong contender.
- Despite Havertz's undeniable talent and stellar performances in the group stage, his exclusion would go against Nagelsmann's personnel strategy and could send a negative message about his role within the team.
- Füllkrug, admitting the importance of the "big picture," is open to even coming off the bench in favor of the team's goal of becoming European champions.
- Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Florian Wirtz's impressive performance against Scotland could potentially influence Nagelsmann's decision, making him a potential game-changer.
- Rüdiger, Havertz, Füllkrug, and Wirtz will all look to make their mark in the upcoming game against Denmark, with the eyes of soccer fans from across Germany and Europe watching on.
- With the European Football Championship just around the corner, the question of who will start for Germany against Denmark remains a pressing and highly anticipated topic.
