third-place Match: Nagelsmann's Encouraging Words: "Football's Our Gig, No Slave Labor Needed"
No need for excavation, claims Nagelsmann unequivocally - No Need for Digging: Nagelsmann's Statement Translates to "No One Needs to Turn Over a New Leaf"
Julian Nagelsmann dismisses the idea of football national team players suffering from motivation issues in the third-place game against France. The energetic 37-year-old coach sees "multiple aspects" in the match against the World Cup runners-up on Sunday (3:00 PM/RTL and DAZN) in Stuttgart.
"It's still the German football national team," Nagelsmann stated Saturday evening in the Stuttgart Arena: "If I have to motivate them in the locker room all the time, then there's something wrong with the squad. It's football—something beautiful we do. There's no need to dig a field by hand. It's a fantastic job we have, something appealing."
The match's headline centers around "using the game." The third place is hardly a motivator. Rather, it's about the upcoming World Cup qualification in the second half of the year, the world ranking, and rhythm for some team members down the line. He emphasizes scrutinizing every individual: "I assume that every player also wants to be there in the World Cup qualification." The qualifying stages kick off in September.
The national coach hinted at making changes to the starting lineup following the demotivating 1:2 loss against Portugal in the final four tournament's semifinals. He refrained from naming specific players but suggested that Pascal Groß, a newcomer from Dortmund, might find a spot in the starting lineup.
"I don't need much personal motivation to play for Germany," remarked the 33-year-old Groß. "I'm incredibly fired up for the game against France, against a fierce opponent." The World Cup runners-up were outplayed in a rollercoaster 4:5 loss to European champions Spain in the tournament's semifinals.
Groß is eager for the game: "To match up with top-tier players, to represent Germany, is still a significant thrill for me. We can collect points for the world ranking. We can secure third place. So, I play for a lot."
Nagelsmann views France positively, despite some key absentees—especially top striker Ousmane Dembélé. He admires France's team depth and offensive intensity. However, he wonders about their overall flow in the game.
As for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, several of Germany's key players are currently sidelined due to injuries. Potential candidates for filling the void include:
- Emerging Talent: Nagelsmann may involve young, promising players from the German youth setup.
- Wing Backs: Nagelsmann often grapples with finding quality wing backs for the team. Potential candidates could include Jonas Hofmann and others.
- Versatile Players: Players like Joshua Kimmich, who can adjust to various positions, might feature more prominently.
- Attackers: With plans to craft an explosive attack, players who can contribute to this dynamic style may have an edge.
Despite these challenges, Nagelsmann holds a positive outlook for the German team's prospects in the World Cup qualifying campaign and the tournament itself. The exact composition of the squad will depend on how these players adapt and perform in the forthcoming games.
In the third-place match against France, Julian Nagelsmann emphasizes the joy and appeal of football, stating that his players don't need external motivation to excel. He also hints at potential changes in the starting lineup, mentioning Pascal Groß, an emerging talent, and versatile players who can adapt to various positions. Meanwhile, sports analysts predict the inclusion of young, promising players, quality wing backs, and dynamic attackers for the upcoming World Cup qualification, as several key players are currently injured. Despite these challenges, Nagelsmann remains optimistic about the German team's prospects in the qualifying campaign and the tournament. Moreover, the thrill of representing the national team and contributing to the explosive attack is apparent among the players, with Pascal Groß expressing his eagerness to face France.
