Nagelsmann navigates through realms of bliss and torment
Frenetic Football: Nagelsmann Navigating Heaven and Hell with Germany's National Team
By: S. Schneider, Dortmund
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The German national team escapes the clutches of Italy in an electrifying 3:3 to qualify for the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. Coach Nagelsmann reflects on lessons learned and the growth of his squad.
In a whirlwind night of football, it's acceptable to lose track of things. Such was the case for Julian Nagelsmann in the packed Westfalen Stadium press room, after twelve hellish TV appearances and a grueling press conference. The German team delivered a rollercoaster match between heaven and hell, thrilling fans yet testing their nerves. Nagelsmann, weary-voiced, had yet to fully analyze the game, his mind still racing with insights from the thrilling encounter.
This tumultuous game will require time to fully digest. The German team showcased both their best and worst in one night, teetering on the precipice of grand success and crushing defeat. Nagelsmann endeavored to articulate his findings during the press conference, but each new reflection seemed to sprout like a bud.
A Grand Shindig: Germany vs. Italian Football
Let us step through the match timeline. The German team held a "dicey" 2:1 advantage from Milan, which they'd either need to defend or build upon. A sly glance at the starting lineup revealed Nagelsmann's preference: defense. In a first since the disastrous 0:2 demolition against Austria, the German team took the field in a strategic three-man backline. Nagelsmann's plan worked marvelously: his team suffocated the Italians, sending them scurrying back to their own half. The Italians were left dazed, constantly playing catch-up against a relentless German offense.
Nagelsmann drew a crucial conclusion: his team can play "incredible football." The best they'd played to date, Italy had almost no chance against them in the first half. But then, a second lesson dawned upon him: "A football match doesn't end at halftime."
Substitutions: The Time of Great Peril
Shortly after half-time, Joshua Kimmich slipped, giving space for Moise Kean to claim the ball and score the deflating 1:3 goal. Nagelsmann mostly avoided dwelling on the second half for two reasons: his team's untidy performance and some strategic missteps of his own. At the halfway mark, Nagelsmann made a trio of substitutions, replacing Leon Goretzka and Angelo Stiller with Nadim Amiri and Pascal Groß. The team lost its structure, giving Italy an opening to claw their way back. Kean scored again just a few minutes later to make it 2:3. German fans, once reveling in bliss, began to fret. Nagelsmann, visibly distressing and repeatedly fidgeting with his clothing, barked orders and nearly tore his jacket during a failed pass.
However, Nagelsmann's tactical move had an unexpected consequence: it awakened the sleeping German giant. The team regrouped, rallying to defend their lead and, eventually, secure the vital win.
Exploring Growth: Leaves & Roots of a German Tree
This game marked yet another stage in the growth of the German team, nurtured by Nagelsmann's coaching since the March international matches in 2024. Together, they have transformed from a struggling sapling into a sturdy tree, ready to take on the world in the Nations League Final Four. The aim is to cultivate a storm-resistant tree by the 2026 World Cup, capable of capturing the title.
It seems the "aha moments" piled up against Italy, as Nagelsmann summed them up later in three key takeaways: the German national team was "truly magnificent," "a game is never truly over," and "we must balance both halves." Unlike initially stated, these lessons run deeper than first thought, as more reflections came to light. "If we had won 3:0 or 4:0, we might have only had two," he mused, "So, I'm actually quite satisfied." In the coming months, Nagelsmann will be faced with questions of lineup quality and the future of the double-six role.
Italian Head-Scratching: A Post-Game Musing
Meanwhile, the Italians seemed bewildered by the wild game, unsure what to make of it. A journalist boldly asked their national coach, Luciano Spalletti, to sum them up: "Is the Squadra Azzurra strong or not?" Spalletti hesitated, unable to commit to a response. Instead, he danced around the question with a cryptic rebuttal. "The starting lineup wasn't that good, but it's a starting lineup that's actually strong," he said. Unlike Nagelsmann, it didn't seem he had gained new insights.
During the press conference, Nagelsmann expressed his admiration for the German team's incredible first-half performance against Italy, yet admitted that the team's second-half performance was less impressive. He plans to use the lessons learned from the 30th UEFA Nations League match to refine the team's strategy, particularly focusing on maintaining sustained success throughout the game. Under the guidance of coach Nagelsmann, the German team will continue to grow and improve, aiming to become a formidable force in the Nations League Final Four and ultimately capture the title at the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, the Italian team remains uncertain following their dramatic loss, leaving their strengths and weaknesses open for question.
