Nagelsmann Navigates the Depleted German Squad, Dodges Excuses for Nations League Glory
Coach Nagelsmann faces significant challenges ahead, with no room for justifications.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link The Nations League finals are knocking at the door. The German national team, bolstered by a makeshift squad - yet oozing confidence. After all, it's about the 2026 World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann, the national team coach, could've shielded himself from the fray. Yet, with a veritable assortment of key players missing - regulars like Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, Angelo Stiller, Nico Schlotterbeck, Tim Kleindienst, and another Stiller, he doesn't. Add to that the absences of Jonathan Burkardt, Nadiem Amiri, and Yann Aurel Bisseck. Instead of taking a "let's hope for the best" approach, Nagelsmann is pitching a "title hunt" ahead of the Nations League final against Portugal (9:00 PM/ZDF, DAZN, and in the ntv.de live ticker).
It'd be simple for Nagelsmann to be seen shrinking from the limelight. When quizzed by a high school newspaper in Herzogenaurach which title he'd most like to win, he said, "All of them." When pressed for more details, he of course mentioned Champions League, the World Cup trophy - and surprisingly, the Nations League trophy.
In Nagelsmann's view, the Nations League is the next rung on the ladder towards the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada - no matter how small the title may seem. The current German national team houses a crop of players who don't know what it's like to taste international success. Even skipper Joshua Kimmich admitted over the weekend that he's endured "many ups and downs" with the national team. But that's changing. "The self-confidence has grown a lot," said Nagelsmann. "But self-confidence and self-assurance are both delicate elements that need tender care."
"We're Expected to Win this Tournament"
And as Füllkrug spoke, there was a glint in his eye. "The whole country expects us to win this tournament," he proclaimed, "to entertain the fans and send them home with smiles on their faces." But Füllkrug himself has had a turbulent year. He's missed the national team for two injuries in the last nine months. His selection now, however, is a bolt from the blue. In the 18 matches he's played for West Ham, he's managed only three goals.
But Füllkrug isn't the only one brimming with newfound vigor. For Marc-André ter Stegen, this is the end of a long stretch of frustration. For the first time since the Confederations Cup in 2017, he'll stand guard for Germany at a tournament. For years, he's been the grumpy understudy to Manuel Neuer, who's always seemed to be fit for the World and European Championships. As ter Stegen prepared to face reality, rumors swirled in Spain that his club was on the hunt for a new goalkeeper. "That's a situation that's arisen lately," said ter Stegen. "There's always rivalry at Barcelona." Was he bothered by the rumors? He claimed to be blasé. "Whether I've spoken to Senior Flick about it? I wouldn't know why."
This story could run on forever: DFB sports director Rudi Völler predicting a "huge future" for Nick Woltemade if only he worked on his heading game. Wirtz's transfer drama? Supposedly immaterial to Nagelsmann. Sané's contract squabbles? Presumably a non-issue too.
The PSG Troika
But the drama doesn't end there. Germany's squad might be the most pragmatic in Nagelsmann's tenure thus far. The injuries have forced the coach to deviate from his strict performance principle. "Of course, it's sour that we have so many players out," said Kimmich. "But those at home aren't helping us for the two internationals."
Nagelsmann now needs to find a new center-back duo. He'd planned to train a double six formation with an eye towards the World Cup. But the two most promising candidates for this important axis still haven't played much together. Pavlovic, the 21-year-old from Bayern, only just returned from Pfeiffer's gland fever. Stiller, his counterpart from Stuttgart, however, is still out with a ligament injury. All Nagelsmann said was that he never had illusions that all players would be available. Keyword: self-awareness: The German national team should be successful regardless of its personnel.
In Sports Ter Stegen Addresses Barcelona Departure Rumors But there's more than just the German team on the line. To deal with the excuses, Nagelsmann kicked off the international match phase with a trick. He first congratulated his national players on various successes "to show what kind of powerful team we have" - despite the dropouts. If it were up to him, they'd hold another trophy in their hands by Sunday evening.
But there's Portugal standing in the way, heavily laden with talent. The PSG trio Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes, who put Inter Milan out of the Champions League final contention this weekend, are also on board. "That was mighty impressive what they did on the pitch," said ter Stegen. There's Cristiano Ronaldo, still awaiting his first win against the German team. Or the offensive artists around Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leao. Many potential excuses.
Dodging excuses, Julian Nagelsmann's approach for the German national team is as much about adapting to the circumstances at hand as it is about the team's resilience and cohesion. In a sport where conditions can change in an instant, it's a strategy that will serve them well in the rapidly approaching Nations League finals.
Sources: ntv.de, fussballderschau.de, kicker.de, surprisefootball.com, transfermarkt.de, bbc.com, eteammanager.com
"Julian Nagelsmann, despite the depleted German squad, continues to prioritize the Nations League final with an unwavering ambition to win, stating that 'the whole country expects us to win.' This sentiment is shared by striker Füllkrug, who believes the team can entertain fans and send them home happy."
"In the world of European leagues, Ter Stegen of the German national team addresses Barcelona departure rumors, showing his resilience and focus as he prepares for the upcoming Nations League finals where he'll face opponents like the PSG trio Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes, who recently eliminated Inter Milan from the Champions League."
