- Nagelsmann's Fresh Beginning: Emerging Yet Not Fundamentally Altered
Angelo Stiller replacing Grand with Fours in Stuttgart's youth team: Julian Nagelsmann has responded to the retirements of captain Ilkay Gündoğan and prominent players Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, and Thomas Müller with minimal adjustments. The head coach initiates the major endeavor of claiming the 2026 World Cup in the Nations League with a predominantly youthful squad comprising primarily his team from the home European Championship.
Nagelsmann expressed satisfaction with each player's performance during the Euros, which prompted him to offer the Euro squad another chance to display their talents in the first post-tournament international matches. The matches will take place on September 7 in Düsseldorf against Hungary and three days later in Amsterdam against the Netherlands.
Stiller is the lone newcomer in the squad. The 23-year-old Stuttgart player earns his first call-up and is recognized for his consistent impressive performances. Najelsmann lauded Stiller's performances in the previous season and his recent outings.
Surprisingly, Antonio Rüdiger will not feature in the September matches. The 31-year-old Real Madrid defender is granted time to recuperate after a demanding summer with the agreement of the head coach. Rüdiger is expected to return to the squad in October.
Revitalized and Sized Right
Nagelsmann minimized his squad size from 26 tournament players to his preferred 23 players. The reduction resulted in fewer new faces, yet a noticeable drop in the average age from approximately 30 years to 24.6 years as a result of the veterans' retirements. Nagelsmann had previously stressed the need for rejuvenation for the North American World Cup happening in about two years.
Instead of veteran Neuer (38), Alexander Nübel (27) is in the squad. Nagelsmann replaced Nübel just before the Euros, but the Stuttgart player returns to the squad. Nübel serves as the backup to Marc-André ter Stegen (32), with Hoffenheim player Oliver Baumann (34) providing further experience. Both Nübel and Baumann have yet to feature in an international match.
As anticipated, Aleksandar Pavlović (20) returns to the squad. The Munich player missed the tournament due to a tonsil inflammation following his international debut in the Euro test against Ukraine (0:0).
Pavlović and Stiller represent the future in central positions. "In midfield, we will need to replace Iılkay Gündoğan and Toni Kroos, who have retired, with two players," said Nagelsmann.
Stiller could have also been part of the strong Stuttgart block at the Euros, including Chris Führich, Deniz Undav, Maximilian Mittelstädt, and Waldemar Anton, whom Nagelsmann mentioned in the spring. However, Stiller's time in the DFB squad has finally arrived.
The model student under club coach Sebastian Hoeneß was instrumental in Stuttgart's revival in the previous season. He is highly talented, technically sound, and has excellent vision. Nagelsmann appreciates these attributes. However, Pascal Groß and Robert Andrich remain strong candidates for the right midfielder position. Emre Can was also recalled to the German team.
Besides Rüdiger, Sane is still missing from the Euro squad, who is recovering from a groin operation in Munich. Despite Gnabry's impressive early season form, he was not recalled to the German team. As a result, the traditionally powerful Bayern contingent has diminished to three players. Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart each contribute five players to the squad.
It remains unclear who will replace captain Gundogan. Joshua Kimmich is the favorite to take over the role, and Nagelsmann will reportedly announce his decision on Monday when he assembles the squad in Herzogenaurach, over eight weeks since the Euro quarter-final exit against Spain (1:2 a.e.t.). Germany will play six international matches this year, all in the Nations League. Group opponents until November include Hungary, the Netherlands, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, each twice.
The 23-year-old Stuttgart player, Angelo Stiller, who has been recognized for his impressive performances, is given his first call-up to the German national team, making him the only newcomer in Nagelsmann's squad for the September matches. Despite the retirement of high-profile German players, including Manuel Neuer from Germany, the average age of the squad has significantly decreased, with Nagelsmann emphasizing the need for rejuvenation for the upcoming World Cup in 2026.
Angelo Stiller's call-up to the German national team follows his consistent impressive performances for Stuttgart, and his inclusion is an important step towards rejuvenating the German squad in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, where a predominantly youthful squad will be key to claiming victory.
