Third-Place Showdown Against France: Germany Ready to Shine
No digging required, according to Nagelsmann
Stuttgart (dpa) - With a passion and zest that mirrors the game itself, Julian Nagelsmann expresses no qualms about the German national team's motivation for the upcoming third-place match against France. The 37-year-old national coach emphasizes the beauty and joy inherent in football, reassuring that there's no need for forced motivation within the team.
Preparing for Future Challenges
The third-place match against the world-class French side on Sunday (3:00 PM CET; RTL and DAZN) serves as a crucial learning ground with an eye on the approaching World Cup qualifiers later this year. Nagelsmann highlights the importance of using this fixture to assess and prep individual players as well as the team dynamic for future challenges. "I believe that every player in the squad wants to be there for the World Cup qualifiers" he states, with the preparations beginning in September.
A Fresh Start with New Faces
Following the nail-biting 2-1 semi-final defeat against Portugal in the Final Four tournament, changes in the starting lineup for the third-place match are likely. Nagelsmann remains tight-lipped on specific names but stated that Dortmund's Pascal Groß may be among the new faces to take the pitch. The 33-year-old Dortmund star, who attended the press conference, exuded enthusiasm for the challenge. "I'm extremely looking forward to the game against France, against a formidable opponent," he said.
Groß Adopts a Champion's Mentality
"Representing Germany and going up against top-tier players is still a significant honor for me," said Groß, hinting at the anticipation that pulsates within him. The third-place match offers the opportunity for points towards the world rankings, a chance to finish third, and a means to showcase the team's skills and determination.
Nagelsmann's High Regard for France
Despite some high-profile absences, including top striker Ousmane Dembélé, Nagelsmann showcases his respect for France's depth and performance intensity. He acknowledges that maintaining flow and understanding their modus operandi will be crucial in taking down the World Cup runners-up, who lost to European champions Spain in a dramatic 5-4 semi-final clash.
The German national team aims to close out the tournament on a high note, demonstrating their cohesion, commitment, and the potential that lies within their promising young talents – such as Florian Wirtz – as they face off against the French on Sunday.
After the nail-biting semi-final defeat against Portugal, changes in the starting lineup for the third-place match against France might include Dortmund's Pascal Groß. This sports-analysis opportunity serves as a crucial point for sports-analysis, as it allows the team to assess and prep individual players as well as the team dynamic for future challenges, including the World Cup qualifiers later this year.
