Football: The World's Favorite Game - The aim for Nagelsmann is to achieve a rapid sense of triumph.
A competitive individual like Julian Nagelsmann was content with the scoreless draw against Ukraine. Although improvements are still necessary, there's no reason to lose faith during the preparations for the EURO. Nagelsmann, the national team manager, spoke to reporters on Monday night at the end of the German national team's penultimate test before the major home event.
"I'm very pleased with the overall performance. It was an intense game with a lot of passion. After a week of training, we've put in a lot of effort. We're thrilled to have created a goal-scoring opportunity and then followed it up with more," he said.
With little time left until the EURO's last test against Greece on Friday in Mönchengladbach, Nagelsmann will need to address some critical concerns. The EURO kick-off against Scotland in Munich is just a week away. The coach has to deal with pressing questions.
Is it possible to quickly improve the poor scoring record?
Nagelsmann observed 27 shots on target against Ukraine. However, no goal was scored. Was it just down to luck? Inadequacy? As a hands-on coach, Nagelsmann believes he can rectify this issue through training. "We had situations where more luck was involved. But it's not easy for a coach to just say it was all luck. We'll keep working on it," the 36-year-old said.
His strategy: Bring more players into the penalty area. Nagelsmann feels that these experiences could still be significant. He also predicts that Scotland and Hungary, the first two EURO opponents, will likely use a similar compact system in their own penalty areas.
How is Manuel Neuer doing?
After 18 months of absence, Neuer was back between the sticks for the national team. He seemed to be in his element with some fine saves that maintained the clean sheet. However, he made an uncharacteristic chip ball to the opponent near the halfway line. Was it carelessness? A misjudgment? Nagelsmann stood by his top goalkeeper, assuring him of a starring role in the upcoming tournament.
"If he hadn't caught it and subsequently retreated without clearing the ball, it would have been a more significant mistake with graver consequences," Nagelsmann explained about the close call late in the game, saved only by an offside position of the Ukrainians.
Although some critics question Neuer's current form, pointing to mistakes he made in Bayern Munich's Champions League matches against Real Madrid and Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann remains confident in his number one choice for the EURO. "Neuer will have a magnificent EURO," he insisted.
Is the EURO lineup set?
Those who have paid attention to Nagelsmann's comments since March will have noticed that the starting lineup is already established. It consists of Neuer, Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah, Mittelstädt, Andrich, Kroos, Musiala, Gündogan, Wirtz, and Havertz. Injuries are the only thing that could prompt changes. The performance of the backup players in the game against Ukraine was reassuring.
Waldemar Anton and Pascal Groß replaced two Champions League winners, Antonio Rüdiger and Toni Kroos, without any issues. Six substitutions in the match didn't affect the performance significantly. "We possess the right temperament and mindset in the team," stated Neuer.
How crucial is a victory in the general rehearsal against Greece?
Nagelsmann doesn't hesitate to express his thoughts. "Obviously, wins are better than draws or losses. We plan to approach the game on Friday with the aim of winning," he said. Still, the national coach also acknowledged the importance of the outcome from the fans' perspective.
"I'm leaning out the window slightly," remarked Nagelsmann. And he concluded his briefing with an insightful analysis of the Euro euphoria in the nearby training camp in Herzogenaurach: "If we win against Greece and then lose against Scotland, the fans won't be happy, saying 'We won against Greece, fantastic.' Conversely, if we lose against Greece and win against Scotland, no fan will say, 'But we lost against the Greeks.'" Nagelsmann would prefer to win both matches.
Read also:
- Despite the absence of goals, Nagelsmann found happiness in the team's performance against Ukraine, expressing satisfaction with their effort and creation of opportunities.
- In the heart of Bavaria, Nagelsmann and his team will face Greece in a crucial test before the EURO, aiming to fine-tune their strategies for the home event.
- The German national soccer team's DFB debut in Nuremberg against Ukraine showcased Antonio Rüdiger's evident skills from his club, Chelsea, in Europe.
- Before the EURO, Julian Nagelsmann has set his sights on strengthening the team's goal-scoring record and believes training and intelligent positioning of players in the penalty area can improve their chances.
- Toni Kroos' replacement in the German lineup, Pascal Groß, demonstrated his competence during the friendly against Ukraine, further boosting the confidence in Nagelsmann's team selection.
- To assure his team's success in the upcoming EURO, the national coach has pinpointed the importance of winning as many games as possible, including Friday's test match against Greece in Mönchengladbach.
- The German national team's anticipated EURO opponent, Scotland, is also expected to field a compact system in their penalty area, challenging Nagelsmann to develop strategies to overcome the tight defense.
- In the recently concluded Bundesliga fixture, Manuel Neuer faced criticism for his performance with Bayern Munich, but Nagelsmann insists he remains the top choice for the goalkeeper position in the upcoming EURO tournament.
- As EURO 2024 draws nearer, the excitement surrounding the German national team is palpable, with the ultimate goal of placing Germany's National soccer team among the leading teams in the EURO event, and ultimately, the opportunity to celebrate the World's Favorite Game.
