Final evaluation before Economic Mission - Several more construction sites than necessary.
Julian Nagelsmann has been planning for some time. He knew his national team players needed to unwind, have some family time or simply unwind. That's why the squad won't assemble in Herzogenaurach until Monday morning. They'll have an open training session at Adidas' wellness oasis in the afternoon, following their match against Scotland on June 14 in Munich.
The team hasn't shown any real progress since the friendly against Greece (2:1). The test matches against France (2:0) and the Netherlands (2:1) gave the illusion of performance capabilities that Germany's national team lacks. The matches against Ukraine (0:0) and Greece weren't exactly positive, but they did give a more accurate depiction of the current team's abilities.
The crowd at Moenchengladbach was eager for the European Championship. Despite the mediocre performance from Germany in the first half, fans still chanted and cheered. Toni Kroos noted, "We played erratically and sloppily - even with a bit too much calmness." The team needs to up its game to avoid an embarrassment in the group stage. Nagelsmann even joked that he might choose a 2:1 scoreline thrice.
The biggest concerns revolve around Germany's goalkeeping situation. Manuel Neuer's mistake against Greece has sparked a goalkeeper controversy, with Neuer's back-up Giorgos Masouras' goal exposing his problems. Neuer has faced several mishaps in quick succession. His uninspiring performance in the World Cup, a broken bone, an ill-timed semi-final exit in the Champions League, a missed Bundesliga finale at TSG Hoffenheim, and a mistake against Ukraine shows a troublesome trend.
Neuer seems unbothered, but it's surprising he doesn't question his performance. Likewise, Nagelsmann refuses to critique, analyze, or modify his starting keeper's errors. His defense of Neuer is strange since he claims, "all Germans should have an interest in each player being stable and secure." This comment undermines the importance of performance.
Still, Nagelsmann was luckier than expected with Neuer's backups. Passing the ball to an opponent was a rarity for Neuer, but the substitute, Pascal Groß, grabbed the chance before the direct free kick for Germany's 2-1 (89th minute). Winning this game increased team confidence. Late goals are excellent for team morale, and Bayer Leverkusen's goalscorers are legendary. But comparing them to Nagelsmann isn't fair as the Werkself's achievements were built on a coaching style instilled by their coach, Xabi Alonso.
As a head coach, Nagelsmann shared some intriguing thoughts in his postgame interview. He was disappointed Germany didn't use their superior play during the World Cup in Qatar. He doesn't want fans to waste any opportunities at the upcoming European Championship in Germany. Every game requires giving their best, even if they don't conquer Europe's football peak. Ultimately, Nagelsmann's optimism could inspire the fans.
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Toni Kroos, a member of the DFB squad, acknowledged the team's erratic performance during the first half against Greece. Despite this, Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach, is yet to critique or analyze his starting keeper's errors, especially after Manuel Neuer's mistake against Greece. This team will assemble in Herzogenaurach on Monday before their training session at Adidas' wellness oasis. The German squad will face Scotland during their next match on June 14 in Munich.
