European Championship quarter-finals - Ready for Spain: Nagelsmann wants to be "champion at the end"
Julian Nagelsmann didn't want to downplay the intensity of Germany's EURO semi-final clash against Spain. "This is a Euro semi-final. If it doesn't have intensity, then goodnight at 7:30 pm," said the German head coach, one day before the kickoff at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart, declaring the absolute readiness of the German national football team. "We are prepared, we are good," he added.
The Spaniards are certainly considered great and talented, but sweat is not dripping from the DFB team around chief tactician Toni Kroos and prodigy Jamal Musiala. During the final training session, Robert Andrich, the ever-brave warrior, presented himself not with platinum blonde but suddenly pink-dyed hair. Was it a subtle message to La Furia Roja, the red fury, as Spain's team is called?
Strength shown, messages sent, chests out: the German Euro party should not end abruptly on the third-last station but continue louder and more euphoric into the final tournament week. "We want to be the champions in our own country," Nagelsmann declared. "We feel well-equipped for a match at eye level," said captain Ilkay Gündogan.
Musiala: We will do everything for the country
Young star Jamal Musiala also spoke of the ultimate goal. "We will do everything for the country, for the coaching team, for all those who help us win the title. That's our motivation," Musiala, the three-time scorer, declared to Sky with full determination.
Jamal against Yamal, the 21-year-old Musiala against the 16-year-old Spanish megatalent Lamine Yamal, is just one of the many intriguing duels in this power test. "We won't take him out of the game, but we want the ball," Nagelsmann said about the Spanish exceptional talent. Furthermore, the German head coach added, "My focus is less on Yamal than on Jamal."
Kroos' passing machine against Spain's midfield genius Rodri. Joshua Kimmich against the brilliant left-winger Nico Williams with his striking hairstyle. Or the goalkeeper duel between Germany's Euro quarter-final specialist Manuel Neuer and Unai Simón from Athletic Bilbao, are other duels. It's all about finesse, nuances, and key moments now.
"Keep your heads up"
Have six weeks since the start of preparations in Thuringia's Blankenhain been enough to form a German tournament team that has grown so closely with the fans that it can overcome all obstacles and relentlessly march towards the final coronation in Berlin? Julian Nagelsmann has not only preached a new belief since his radical squad overhaul following the embarrassing 0:2 loss to Austria in November 2023 but also awakened it in eight unbeaten international matches.
"Slowly they understand how good they are," said the 36-year-old contentedly after the lightning-fast victory against Denmark, relieved that his players were finally able to shed the heavy burden of the Murks-Tournaments 2018, 2021 and 2022. "Keep your heads up," defense chief Antonio Rüdiger told "Kicker" about the attitude change, when it came to overcoming difficult phases. For Nagelsmann, it's time again to win a tournament game against the proud Spaniards; whether it's after 90 minutes, after extra time, or even in a dramatic penalty shootout. This last happened during the Home-EM 1988, the year of Nagelsmann's birth.
Kroos, Gündogan, Rüdiger in Focus for Spain
The royal Kroos, who didn't want to be sent into football retirement by the Spaniards after his triumphant finish in Real Madrid's jersey as national champion and Champions League winner, spoke of "another belief" in the DFB team that he found upon his return in March full of uncertainty. "Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark - we can see our steps," said the 34-year-old before his last, penultimate, or third-last game of his career: "I see us prepared!"
Kroos (34), Gündogan (33), Rüdiger (31), the three U30 regulars from Real and Barcelona, must lead the way as pivotal players against the former all-conquering team from their homeland. Croatia (3:0), Italy (1:0), Albania (1:0) with a B-team and Georgia (4:1) - no previous EM opponent has grown to the might of the Spanish possession football.
Nagelsmann banks on Saneé or Wirtz
It will be decisive in terms of ball possession, dominance, and control of the game. "Such games will be decided in the middle," said Kroos. And that's where his territory is. Calm, control, stability, these are the factors that Nagelsmann can contribute uniquely, noted Leroy Sané: "The weakness took us completely."
Saneé or Florian Wirtz? That's the biggest personnel question Nagelsmann left open. He refused to be drawn in during the press conference. "I can answer the question, but I don't want to." Saneé stands for tempo, Wirtz for more solutions from the middle of the pitch in the offensive combination with Gündogan, Musiala, and Kai Havertz. "I am convinced by Lee and Flo," said Nagelsmann.
Besides defense chief Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah is expected to return after serving a yellow card suspension. And the robust David Raum may well receive the order to mark Spain's teenage star Yamil. "We will have to solve many one-on-one situations," said Nagelsmann.
- Julian Nagelsmann highlighted the importance of the EURO semi-final against Spain, stressing that it should have intensity.
- Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala, key members of the DFB team, showed no signs of cold sweat during their final training session.
- Robert Andrich, known for his bravery, surprised everyone with pink-dyed hair during the training session, potentially sending a message to Spain's team.
- Ilkay Gündogan, the captain, expressed confidence in the team, stating that they are well-equipped to play at eye level with Spain.
- Leroy Sané agreed with Gündogan, mentioning that Germany's weakness was taken away from them in their previous games.
- Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sané are among the players Nagelsmann is considering for the crucial midfield positions.
- Antonio Rüdiger, the defense chief, urged his teammates to keep their heads up during difficult phases.
- The German team's focus is now on finesse, nuances, and key moments, aiming to overcome Spain and become champions in their own country.
- The Spanish midfield genius Rodri will face off against Toni Kroos' passing machine, with other intriguing duels expected in this power test.
- Germany's DFB team has grown close to the fans and aims to continue their winning streak, overcoming all obstacles on their way to the final coronation in Berlin.
- Sky Sports showcased Jamal Musiala's determination to win the title for Germany, with full motivation to do everything for the country.
- Denmark's 0:2 loss to Austria in November 2023 led to a radical squad overhaul, with Julian Nagelsmann preaching a new belief and awakening it in his players.
