European Championship quarter-finals - Searching for the Spain code: Völler dribbles, Nagelsmann tinkers
Toni Kroos and Jamal Musiala diligently went through their warming-up routine on the spinning wheels in the Fitness Tent, and Rudi Völler couldn't contain himself anymore. Behind the training pitch of the National Team, the DFB-Sports Director snatched a ball and dribbled cheerfully around. Sprinting drill. Impatience. Football passion. Julian Nagelsmann's assistant coach Sandro Wagner looked on surprised at the 64-year-old Völler, but was then called by the head coach for the last meeting.
Right from the first full training session before the big EURO semi-final against the ultimate test, Spain, it could be felt: Now it counts, now it's about every detail for the dream of winning the title. The way to the final on July 14 in Berlin should not end at the penultimate step on Friday (6:00 PM/ARD/Magenta TV) in the Stuttgart tournament arena.
Greed and Momentum
"We need to let the momentum come to us so that we have control, then we can give it back to the Spaniards," Leroy Sané stated the goal of the work week on Tuesday. "Extremely" is the greed, assured his Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich in the TV interview between Schilf and Water's Edge near the EURO quarters. "We have only finals left, everything is possible. With Spain, we have a very good opponent to see where we stand," said the Bayern professional to the ARD.
Nagelsmann was already looking closely at the warm-up drills on Tuesday. The expectation is also rising for him. Not only from the outside, but also self-imposed. Three mini-goals and two regular-sized ones had the head coach set up centrally on the training pitch. The play in tight spaces needs to be perfected.
The Spaniards stand out in terms of tactics, technique, and intensity at the EURO. Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, better known as Rodri, EURO shooting star Nico Williams, and his teenage counterpart on the right wing, Lamine Yamal, have demonstrated Spanish football dominance and ease so far.
Yamal impresses Sané
Even Barcelona youngster Yamal has caught Sané's attention. "To play football at 16 years old is already very impressive. It's just fun to watch, especially since I play in the same position," said the 28-year-old. With Yamal and Williams, Spain has changed its playing style. Not just ball control, but also quick play into the forwards has been identified as a danger by Sané.
Daniel Carvajal is a threat for the title mentality of Real Madrid on the opposing team. Bundesliga giants like Bayer Leverkusen's champion player Alejandro Grimaldo and RB professional Dani Olmo are just substitutes. Olmo's Leipzig teammate David Raum finds that surprising.
"They're not to be underestimated," said the 26-year-old. Should one be afraid? Not at all, thinks Raum. "We need to present them with challenges. We need to stop them as a team," demanded the left back.
Raum has fought his way into the team. Maximilian Mittelstadt remains a tough competitor. A role model for the metamorphosis in Nagelsmann's EURO role play. Since the same starting line-up appeared in the three group games, there is now competition for positions. Knockout phase indeed. The pressure is mounting. Only a few are certain of their place in the team yet, reported Sané.
Nagelsmann has gotten everything right with his personnel policy so far. But Spain, that's the dilemma, punishes every mistake. That's what younger German football history teaches us. There have only been two wins against them in this millennium. The feeling of winning against Spain is known to only Kroos, Antonio Rudiger, and Thomas Muller, who were all there in 2014 for the 1:0 in Vigo. Kroos scored the goal back then.
For Saneé, history should not determine our thinking. He was there for the 0:6 humiliation in 2020. "That certainly hurt a lot," he recalled of the November night in Sevilla. But: "In the end, it's the past. We have the chance to advance to the next round, that's what matters." The Munchener spoke.
Emre Can of Dortmund was missing on the field on Tuesday due to minor muscle problems. Another joker appearance was not in danger at the moment. Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen is pressing to return to the defense after his yellow card suspension against Denmark. Nico Schlotterbeck had replaced him as Rudiger's backup in the quarterfinals.
A three-man defense unlikely
The national team coach spoke of a "luxury situation." A tactical switch to a defense with all three central defenders would be a clever move. Nagelsmann likes this tactical version. But what would that mean? We are worried. "I don't see us playing with a five- or three-man defense," said Kimmich.
What Tah brings to the defense is his Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz in the offense. The 21-year-old wants to displace Saneé from the starting lineup after his joker role in the quarterfinals. And all of Europe is looking forward to the duel of the young star quartet. Musiala & Wirtz against Williams & Jamal. That's the football of a new era.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan, who has scored three tournament goals, Musiala, and Kai Havertz are in the offense. Despite the media drumbeat for his striking competitors and fan favorite Niclas Füllkrug, the national team coach has long since forbidden any public interference in his personnel decisions.
Havertz to take a back seat
Nagelsmann explicitly praised Havertz after the 2:0 against Denmark, in which he scored the first goal via penalty kick in his 50th national team appearance. "He has worked hard, defensively and offensively. I would have given him another goal," Nagelsmann said. Havertz can make it up to him. The best place to do so would be against Spain.
Sandro Wagner noticed Rudi Völler's enthusiasm during the warm-up drills of the German National Team in Herzogenaurach. Toni Kroos shared his excitement about the upcoming semi-final against Spain, highlighting their strong opponent. Joshua Kimmich emphasized the team's determination and belief in winning the title. Josep Pedrerol, the Spanish National Coach, was preparing his team in Berlin, focusing on the tight spaces and play in small areas.
Leroy Sané praised the impressive performance of Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal, particularly his ability to control the ball at just 16 years old. David Raum expected a challenging game against Spain's substitutes, including Alejandro Grimaldo and Dani Olmo. Raum stressed the importance of presenting Spain with challenges and stopping them as a team.
Emre Can was absent from training due to minor muscle problems, while Jonathan Tah pressed for a return to the defense after serving his suspension. Nagelsmann considered a tactical shift to a three-man defense, but Kimmich expressed doubts about this strategy. Florian Wirtz aimed to replace Leroy Sané in the starting lineup, eager to showcase his skills against Spain.
Toni Kroos was one of the few German players with experience against Spain, having scored the winning goal in 2014. Leroy Sané reflected on the past, acknowledging the disappointment of the 0:6 loss in 2020 but emphasizing the team's focus on the present and the opportunity to advance in the tournament. Nagelsmann praised the performance of Kai Havertz ahead of the semi-final against Spain.
