Coach Nagelsmann faces numerous challenges ahead, with no room for justifications.
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The Nations League finals are upon us, and the German national team is stepping up with a significantly depleted squad yet surprisingly brimming with self-assurance. After all, it's mostly about the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann might have made this task less demanding for himself. He doesn't need much innovation, he doesn't have to chase after excuses. With key players Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rudiger, Angelo Stiller, Nico Schlotterbeck, Tim Kleindienst, and more sidelined, Nagelsmann calls for the "title hunt" before the opening match against Portugal in the Nations League final tournament (9:00 PM/ZDF, DAZN, and in the ntv.de live ticker).
When asked by a school newspaper in Herzogenaurach which title he'd most like to win, he answered, "All of them." When pressed for elaboration, he spoke about the Champions League, the World Cup trophy—and, of course, the Nations League trophy.
In Nagelsmann's reasoning, this competition is a stepping stone toward the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, despite its relative insignificance. The current German national team houses an entire generation of players who know not the taste of victory with the national team. Captain Joshua Kimmich even admitted that he's experienced "many ups and downs" in the national team cabinet. But that's all changing now. "The self-confidence has grown significantly," said Nagelsmann. "Confidence and belief are both delicate elements that require nurturing and constant work."
Germany's Newfound Confidence
That confidence is evident in the players. Niclas Füllkrug, for example, has endured a torrid year, plagued by two injuries over the past nine months. Yet, his nomination now is somewhat surprising. But Füllkrug, like many others, has found a fresh lease of life under Nagelsmann's guidance, tapping into previously untapped reserves of self-belief. For Marc-André ter Stegen, this is finally the end of a long stretch of misery. For the first time since the Confederations Cup 2017, he's been entrusted with the German goal in a tournament. For years, he was the sullen understudy to Manuel Neuer, who always found a way to stay fit for World and European Championships. But ter Stegen could lose his place again at Barcelona, where rumors abound that the club is searching for a new goalkeeper.
The Challenge Awaits: Portugal
Portugal looms as a potential stumbling block in the final. The team is stacked with stars, from the PSG trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes, who recently denied Inter Milan access to the Champions League final, to the feared Cristiano Ronaldo. Many potential excuses abound. But Nagelsmann is intent on turning these into opportunities, reminding his players of their collective power and what they can achieve together, even in the face of adversity.
Source: ntv.de
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Julian Nagelsmann has approached the UEFA Nations League with a mix of strategic planning and caution, especially given the challenges posed by a depleted German squad. Here's how he has handled the situation and his objectives for the tournament:
Approach to the Nations League
- Strategic Planning: Before the semi-final against Portugal, Nagelsmann emphasized the importance of being aware of Portugal's strengths and weaknesses. He highlighted the need to exploit any vulnerabilities in the Portuguese defense while being cautious about their attacking prowess[2].
- Squad Management: Nagelsmann has been managing a squad affected by injuries, aiming to maintain a balance between experience and youth. He has considered deploying players like Woltemade, who had promising moments in his debut, but also plans to rest him for the U21 European Championship[3].
- Focus on Performance: After the disappointing loss to Portugal, Nagelsmann emphasized the need for improvement, stating that the team's performance was one of their worst in 18 months. He stressed the importance of every player operating at their best to compete with top nations[1][3].
Objectives for the Tournament
- Preparation for the 2026 World Cup: Nagelsmann views the Nations League as a crucial part of Germany's preparation for the 2026 World Cup. He believes that the tournament offers valuable experience and a chance to refine the team's tactics and cohesion[4].
- Redemption and Improvement: Following the loss to Portugal, Nagelsmann's immediate objective is to achieve a better performance in the third-place match against France. This match serves as an opportunity for redemption and to show improvement in the team's overall play[3].
- Building Team Cohesion: Despite the challenges, Nagelsmann aims to use the tournament to build a more cohesive unit, focusing on developing a strong team dynamic and identifying areas where the team can improve[1][3].
With the Nations League finals approaching, the German national team, despite a depleted squad, is brimming with self-assurance, as evidenced by Julian Nagelsmann's emphasis on winning "all of them," including the Nations League trophy. Meanwhile, the football-driven nation keeps a close eye on their sports performance, particularly during the Nations League games. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, Nagelsmann's strategic planning and focus on performance aim to prepare the team for the 2026 World Cup, taking the Nations League as a crucial stepping stone in their journey.
