Down the Nations League Hatch: When will the magic return?
- Authored by: Phil A. Cranky
- Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes, 10 brews
Returning to the state of origin: When can we erase the current state? - In what timeline will things return to their original, unaltered state?
Julian Nagelsmann pulled out all the stops, attempting to revive the mystical aura he calls "jubilation," "spirit," or "groove." Once again, the national squad reconvened in Herzogenaurach, the nestling metropolis that had been the Germans' home during the electrifying European Championship's golden days. This enchanted abode, being the so-called "home ground," had been a catalyst for this atmospheric cocktail that had propelled the German team to the Nations League semis and, at least as critically, mended the discord between the team and its long-suffering compatriots.
The night of June 30th marked the end of dreams, with Nagelsmann understanding that the Herzogenaurach sanctum wouldn't become the stuff of legends, like Spiez had been for the 1954 World Cup champions. While Spiez was a village shrouded in mystique, the village of Herzogenaurach can boast of the emblematic image of Fritz Walter hoisting the World Cup trophy. Given that enduring image, it's more than enough to convince the masses of the gods' favor towards this team.
Germany seeks its identity
The present national team, alas, remains without a victory. They lost to Portugal in the Nations League semi-final 1:2 and now stand a chance only at third place.
The disappointment spoke volumes in Nagelsmann's voice as he spoke in the international press conference after the stadium. He decried a lack of "vanity," of the "unwavering desire" to win the match. Instead of aggressively pressing the opponent, they merely "trod" upon them.
Such remarks can be heard echoing through numerous Bundesliga stadiums each weekend, yet it would be unjust to dismiss them as coaching platitudes. For in this instance, Nagelsmann was bemoaning the essence of his brand of football.
Following the losses to Turkey and Austria in late 2023, Nagelsmann drastically simplified his tactical approach. He wiped away all academic vagueness from the chalkboard, leaving his squad to play tight, straightforward, and aggressive football.
This high-octane style demands a lot of passion, as it is draining both physically and emotionally. Passion, after all, serves as the lifeblood for Nagelsmann's football philosophy. However, the Portugal game crystalized a reality: without this lifeblood surging through their veins, the German national team doesn't stand a chance against the continent's elite.
The match on June 30th laid bare the team's inability to manage a lead effectively. After taking the lead through Florian Wirtz (48'), they shifted into a perfunctory, lackadaisical demeanor, being subsequently outplayed by Portugal.
Nagelsmann's questionable tactical choices
Nagelsmann shares blame for this, as his substitutions seemed to create confusion on the pitch. In the 60th minute, he brought on three new players and, in the ensuing eleven minutes, two more. Such a flurry of changes proved to be too much, too soon. The newly substituted Robin Gosens (originally a defender, but a winger in spirit) was run over by Francisco Conceicao in the 63rd minute, who scored the equalizer with a move reminiscent of Arjen Robben. Jonathan Tah made a positional error for the 2:1 by Cristiano Ronaldo (68'), but Serge Gnabry, who came on as a substitute, had defended too weakly in the build-up. Gnabry seemed more intent on artistic expression than executing the grunt work required.
The conundrum that the Portugal game poses to the Germans is this: How did we go from a sense of invincibility to such a precipitous fall?
The players, unfortunately, couldn't offer a persuasive answer to this. Leon Goretzka asserted that a 1:0 lead usually provides security; strangely, this was not the case against Portugal. Defender Robin Koch even likened the collapse after the lead goal to a "total breakdown," but offered no reasoning for the lapse.
The German footballers, it seems, have become a riddle even to themselves.
Those who had the opportunity to converse with the squad in Herzogenaurach in recent days got the impression that the Nations League finals were meant to serve as a type of redemption for the lost EM quarter-final. On July 5th the previous year, the Germans lost to Spain; courtesy of a goal in the final minute of extra time. A debatable handball by Marc Cucurella had gone uncalled in the first half – the UEFA later admitted that the decision was an error. There was more than enough material to spur a narrative of destiny: not receiving the penalty in the first place, and then experiencing ill fortune in the form of a last-minute goal. But since that evening of June 30th, that narrative has started to lose its lustre. Nagelsmann acknowledged that if his strategy isn't executed on the field, "you can also lose against a third-tier team."
The national coach, conversationally adept like few of his predecessors, will have to be at his verbose best in the coming days. After all, they play for third place against either France or Spain as early as Sunday. In a nutshell, it's about nothing for the Germans anymore. And yet, it's everything: namely the return of that elusive commodity called "jubilation," "spirit," and "groove."
- Germany
- Portugal
- German national team
- Nations League
- Julian Nagelsmann
Enrichment Data:**
Overall:
Germany's loss against Portugal in the 2025 Nations League semifinal can be attributed to several key factors:
- Goalkeeper Performance and Defensive Mistakes: Although Germany's goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen made several crucial saves, including a double save in the 89th minute, Portugal's goalkeeper Diogo Costa also made significant interventions, particularly in the first half. Germany's defense allowed Portugal to capitalize on opportunities, such as the goal poured in by Francisco Conceição in the 63rd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo's winner in the 68th minute.
- Loss of Momentum in the Second Half: Germany jumped ahead with Florian Wirtz's goal in the 48th minute but failed to amplify the advantage. Portugal's spirited second-half performance saw them negative the German's lead and score twice, turning the tide of the match. The team's inability to sustain momentum and pressure following the initial goal was a critical factor in Germany's defeat.
- Portugal's Resilience and Strategy: Portugal's coach, Roberto Martínez, made effective use of substitutes, with Francisco Conceição coming on to score the equalizer in the 63rd minute. Cristiano Ronaldo's winning goal demonstrated Portugal's knack for exploiting opportunities and adapting their strategy in response to adversity.
- Cristiano Ronaldo's Impact: Ronaldo's influence on the game was emphatic, as he scored the winning goal and continually posed a threat to the German defense. His presence and performance under pressure were crucial deciding factors in Portugal's victory.
- Despite the efforts of Julian Nagelsmann, the Commission has not yet adopted a decision on the application of the directive related to reviving the spirit of football in the German team, as they struggle to win a match following their loss to Portugal in the Nations League semi-final.
- As the German national team contends with its current losing streak, it seems that the enchantment of Herzogenaurach, reminiscent of the 1954 World Cup-winning village of Spiez, may not be enough to rally the team's passion for sports, particularly football.
