A Test of Metal: Germany Faces France in the Nations League Third-Place Play-off
Coach Nagelsmann expresses dislike towards Larifari.
Herzogenaurach (dpa) - Julian Nagelsmann's blood pressure is rising. The golden boy of German football management finds himself in a predicament after Germany's nail-biting semi-final loss to Spain in the Nations League, a game that could have been a walk in the park, a gentle kickabout, or a relaxing end to the season. Instead, it turned into a grueling encounter, ended with a 5:4 defeat, and left Nagelsmann seething.
"If anyone doesn't understand that we need to use this game for ourselves..." Nagelsmann trails off, his voice laden with an undertone of threat. They're facing France, laboring under the disappointment of their semi-final loss to Portugal on Sunday (3:00 PM/RTL and DAZN), and are expected to show a positive reaction. It's shaping up to be a test match - a trial run for the upcoming World Cup season.
A Matter of Pride and Spirit
Nagelsmann would have preferred a different setting for this contest, one that doesn't have Germany serving as the warm-up act on the Final Four tournament's closing day. But pride is at stake, and the coach can't afford to be indifferent about what happens in the Stuttgart stadium.
The stakes are high. There are only ten more international matches until the World Cup kick-off, and Germany can ill-afford to squander any opportunity to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Nagelsmann makes no bones about it: "We have no tolerance for giving anything away. It's not about third place. We have to use this game for ourselves. I can live with being fourth if we play a top game, but not if we play a shitty game and finish third."
The final position in the Nations League is insignificant now that the title chance is gone. What matters is the feeling with which coach, team, and fans enter the summer break and start the World Cup qualification in the second half of 2025.
Even if claiming the title is out of the question, even after a third consecutive victory against France and star striker Kylian Mbappé, the team must display an energetic and focused performance. "It will be important to show the right reaction, to get a good feeling again," said captain Joshua Kimmich.
Gearing Up for the Challenge
In the German camp in Herzogenaurach, preparations for the third-place play-off have been intensified. DFB sports director Rudi Völler reported in an ARD interview about a long meeting where the defeat against Portugal was discussed. Stuttgart local hero Nick Woltemade, who made his debut in Munich, stayed with the A-team and didn't leave early to join the U21 squad. The training session originally scheduled for Friday morning was also moved to the Sunday kick-off time. Both are supposed to help the team focus.
"Definitely, we have to step it up," warned Völler. Concerned about the team's performance against Portugal, Völler looked for an explanation: "Maybe we were a bit spoiled by the many successful and good games we've played recently. At the highest level, if you give a few percent less, it's not enough."
A win against France would mean vindication, a chance to reclaim their winning streak. Captain Kimmich believes in his team, despite the many high-profile absences from Jamal Musiala to Antonio Rüdiger to Kai Havertz, which have reduced the quality more than many thought before the final tournament. "We are much more stable than we were a year and a half ago. That's why I don't think one defeat will completely set us back," Kimmich claimed before his 101st international match.
Nagelsmann could try new, fresh, hungry forces. For instance, Stuttgart's jovial striker Deniz Undav and Dortmund's pacey dribbler Karim Adeyemi could bolster the attack alongside goal-scorer Florian Wirtz and promising youngster Woltemade, who struggled against Portugal. The shaky defense, featuring new Munich recruit Jonathan Tah, must redeem itself.
French national coach Didier Deschamps announced several changes to his team after the "lesson" against European champions Spain. He sees worrying signs in his defense and is banking on a revitalized attack led by Bayern Munich's Michael Olise. For the French, too, it's no walk in the park. Real star Mbappé feels "devastated" after Spain's performance.
This third-place play-off is more than just a consolation prize. It's an opportunity for Germany to reassess their strategies, fine-tune their tactics, and rebuild their spirit before the World Cup. And for anyone who doesn't understand this, they should think again.
"Julian Nagelsmann, the golden boy of German football management, is determined to use the third-place play-off against France as a chance to evaluate their strengths and weakpoints, stating, 'I can live with being fourth if we play a top game, but not if we play a shitty game and finish third.'"
"Despite the final position being insignificant, Germany aims to display an energetic and focused performance against France, as captain Joshua Kimmich stressed, 'It will be important to show the right reaction, to get a good feeling again.'"
