Dueling Midfield Titans: Groß and Kimmich
Has the German national team's midfield scene shifted?
During the initial games under new coach Julian Nagelsmann (36), star Bayern player Joshua Kimmich (28) was sidelined due to illness, and Pascal Groß (32) seized the opportunity to shine in his place.
Groß's performance earned him widespread praise for his unique interpretation of the midfield role, with a greater emphasis on defensive work compared to Kimmich. In both games, Groß teamed up with Ilkay Gündogan (33).
With Kimmich's health now improving, what implications does this have for Groß? Will he fight tooth and nail to keep his spot?
One thing is evident: Nagelsmann is determined to incorporate Kimmich into the midfield and dismisses the idea of deploying him at right-back, a role he previously held in the national team. It's a foregone conclusion that Kimmich will return, acting as the right-hand man to Gündogan as the team leader.
Groß, however, possesses a newfound confidence. He shares, "I feel settled in the team. They've welcomed me warmly, and I feel better now than when I first started training with them. You've seen the boys a few times, and that's been quite pleasant."
In addition, Groß lauds his experience playing alongside Gündogan: "I've faced Ilkay numerous times in England and have had the opportunity to watch his games closely. I'm well-versed in his abilities and his playing style. He exhibits exceptional ball security and poise on the ball while still boasting a remarkable goal threat. From my perspective, he is the epitome of a complete midfielder."
Gündogan and Kimmich remain the front-runners for the European Championship squad, but the formidable duo of Goretzka and Groß poses a strong challenge as well.
Base Article:
- Despite Joshua Kimmich's absence in the German national team's initial games under Julian Nagelsmann due to illness, the coach remains committed to reintegrating Kimmich into the midfield, potentially pushing out Pascal Groß.
- During these initial games, Nagelsmann opted to deploy newcomer Groß next to veteran Gündogan, with Groß showcasing a different interpretation of the midfield role and a greater emphasis on defensive work.
- Gündogan and Kimmich have traditionally dominated the German midfield, but Goretzka and Groß serve as formidable contenders as the team prepares for upcoming games and the European Championship.
Enrichment Data:
Although there is no verbatim information available concerning Pascal Groß's thoughts on a possible duel with Joshua Kimmich, it would be necessary to refer to an interview or statement from Groß himself to obtain specific insights on his thoughts regarding team dynamics and opponents.
