Coach Nagelsmann faces numerous challenges, but no room for excuses.
The Nations League finals are upon us and the German national team is stepping up, despite a significantly depleted squad. With key players like Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, and Antonio Rüdiger out, one might think the team would be relying on excuses. But that's not Julian Nagelsmann's style. He's got his sights set on titles, as he eyes the 2026 World Cup.
Nagelsmann could have easily fallen back on the "we'll see how it goes" mantra, but when asked about his dream title, he didn't mince words. "All of them," he said, talking about the Champions League, the World Cup trophy, and even the surprise package - the Nations League trophy.
Despite the depleted roster, Nagelsmann believes the Nations League is the next necessary step towards the 2026 World Cup. The current German team houses a new generation of players who are yearning for success with the national team. Even captain Joshua Kimmich admitted that he's had his fair share of ups and downs. But now, he says, the self-confidence has grown significantly.
"We're Here to Win"
While self-confidence is fragile, it's clear that this team is determined to make Germany proud. Niclas Füllkrug, who's had a tough year with injuries, summed it up perfectly: "We're here to win. We want to entertain the fans and send them home with a good feeling."
A New Era for Marc-André ter Stegen
For goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, this tournament marks the end of a long wait. Since the Confederations Cup in 2017, he's been the grumpy number two behind Manuel Neuer. But now, he's finally getting his chance to guard the German goal. Ter Stegen tore his patellar tendon last September and fought his way back. However, he's currently at risk of losing his goal at FC Barcelona, with rumors circulating that the club is looking for a new goalkeeper.
Navigating Challenges: Nagelsmann's Strategy
The current squad may be the most pragmatic of the Nagelsmann era, with the coach deviating from his tough performance principle due to the personnel shortage. But Nagelsmann isn't just searching for a new center-back pairing. He's also looking for a new double pivot for the World Cup. However, his most promising candidates, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Angelo Stiller, are still struggling with injuries.
Despite these challenges, Nagelsmann remains optimistic. As he said, "Those who are now at home are not helping us for the international matches." In true Nagelsmann fashion, he's focusing on finding solutions, not making excuses.
A Star-Studded Challenge: Portugal Awaits
In the semi-final, Portugal awaits, a team as star-studded as ever. The PSG trio Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes will be joining forces. With Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leao, Portugal has plenty of weapons to bring to the table. It looks like Nagelsmann won't have to hunt for excuses after all - he'll have his hands full with one of Europe's elite teams.
Source: ntv.de
[1] Burkardt is out and Amiri has withdrawn from the squad.
In light of the challenges, Nagelsmann's approach to policy-making within the community and employment potential of the German national team revolves around fostering a winning mentality rather than relying on excuses. As the team prepares for sports events such as the Nations League and the 2026 World Cup, a strong emphasis is placed on teamwork, and individual players like Marc-André ter Stegen strive for success, despite facing setbacks in their careers. Football remains a unifying factor for the team, as they aim to entertain fans and make Germany proud.
