Coach Nagelsmann faces scrutiny without room for justification.
Share Tweet Text Email Print Copy Link The UEFA Nations League finals are on the horizon. The depleted German squad, fueled by a surprising self-assurance, readies for the challenge — who's staring at the 2026 World Cup in the eye.
Julian Nagelsmann, the skipper at the helm, could've sounded the alarm. He's missing a slew of steadfast pillars that've formed the German football team since last summer. Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, Angelo Stiller twice, Nico Schlotterbeck, Tim Kleindienst, and those very same Stiller again — add to that Jonathan Burkardt, Nadiem Amiri, and Yann Aurel Bisseck. Nagelsmann, however, isn't one to dwell on woes; instead, he's sailing towards the trophy hunt before the Nations League final against Portugal (9 pm/ZDF, DAZN, and the ntv.de live ticker).
Nagelsmann could've pleaded extenuating circumstances or wrung his hands about facing Europe's best. Yet, when quizzed by a school newspaper in Herzogenaurach on the title he'd most like to conquer, he said, "All of them." When asked for more, he never hesitated to speak of the Champions League, the World Cup trophy, and, surprisingly, the Nations League trophy.
For Nagelsmann, this competition is the pitstop on the road to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada — a necessity, no matter how small the title may appear. The current German team boasts an untested generation of players who've yet to taste elite-level success. Even Joshua Kimmich, the team's captain, confessed to a rollercoaster of highs and lows with the national team. But that's all about to change, Nagelsmann insists, cautiouslyadding, "Confidence and self-belief are delicate elements that need nurturing and constant tending."
"The Entire Nation Anticipates Our Victory"
That's the theory. On the field, progress is palpable. "The entire nation expects us to win this tournament," declared Niclas Füllkrug. The goal is to "delight the spectators and send them off with a triumphant feeling." But Füllkrug himself has faced a difficult year. Sidelined by two injuries in the past nine months, his inclusion now seems a bit unexpected. After all, in 18 matches he could play for West Ham, he managed only three goals.
Yet, Füllkrug isn't the only one bandying around newfound confidence. For Marc-André ter Stegen, a long season of distress draws to an end. He has a chance to safeguard the German goalpost for the first time at a tournament since the Confederations Cup 2017. For years, he played second fiddle to Manuel Neuer, who miraculously bounced back every time for the World Cup and European Championships. But ter Stegen faces stiff competition, with rumors swirling about Barcelona seeking a new goalkeeper. "This situation has arisen now," said ter Stegen. He made it sound as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Sports "The Pressure Increases" Nagelsmann sidesteps talk of Portugal's jinx Ter Stegen fought tooth and nail to recover from a severe knee injury he sustained last September. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick played him only twice, and recently, whispers about a new goalkeeper at the Spanish club have been circulating. "That's life at Barcelona," said ter Stegen, almost nonchalantly. Has he spoken to former national coach Flick about it? He had no idea why.
This match could be stretched out further: DFB sporting director Rudi Völler predicted a "promising future" for Nick Woltemade if he could sharpen his header game. Florian Wirtz's transfer saga is supposedly off his back now. Leroy Sané's contract back and forth? Probably not a comprehensive concern.
And the PSG trio
Typically, such topics might be harmful. But the current DFB team appears to be the most pragmatic of Nagelsmann's tenure thus far. The manpower shortage necessitates flexibility in strategy. "It's frustrating that we have so many injured players," lamented DFB captain Kimmich. But he swiftly added, "Those at home aren't contributing to the cause for the two matches."
Nagelsmann finds himself in need of a new defensive duo. He'd planned on nurturing a double six with an eye on the 2026 World Cup. But the most promising candidates for this important axis are yet to play many minutes together. At the beginning of the year, Bayern's Aleksandar Pavlović was out with Pfeiffer's gland fever. Now, the 21-year-old is back, but his counterpart, Angelo Stiller from VfB Stuttgart, is out with a ligament injury. Nagelsmann stated only that he never assumed all players would always be available. Keyword: awareness: Success for the German team is inevitable, despite the roster changes.
Sports Ter Stegen Speaks Up: "Barcelona Exit Rumors?" But there's more to it than just the German squad. Nagelsmann has one less excuse to make, as powerhouse Portugal awaits in the semi-final — its squad teeming with stars like the PSG trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes, who recently denied Inter Milan a berth in the Champions League final. "They displayed incredible resilience on the field," said ter Stegen. There's Cristiano Ronaldo, the now 40-year-old who's yet to claim victory over the German team. Or the offensive powerhouses surrounding Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leão. The excuses are many.
So, Nagelsmann set the stage for the international phase with an unexpected deft move: he first praised the accomplishments of his DFB professionals, to demonstrate the extraordinary team he's leading — a victory already in the bag, if only they could grasp it by Sunday evening.
- Julian Nagelsmann, despite the absence of several key players due to injuries, has maintained an unyielding focus on winning the UEFA Nations League trophy, mentioning it alongside other prestigious titles such as the Champions League and the World Cup trophy.
- As the German squad prepares to face Portugal in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, they will be up against formidable opposition, including the PSG trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes, who have shown remarkable resilience on the field, reinforcing the fact that excuses are not convenient in the world of sports and football analysis.
