So there are six more potential exchange candidates. One of them: Serge Gnabry. “I said after the game that it is not because of him that we lost the game,” Nagelsmann initially protected it on Saturday. “But of course he didn’t play a good first half. That is out of the question.”
What Nagelsmann explicitly disturbed Gnabry’s performance: the defense behavior. So the coach spoke of defense situations that Gnabry could “solve a little better”. “He and the ambition also have that that he does that,” said Nagelsmann. “Whether he does this tomorrow from the start, I have not yet decided – with him like the others.” At least one advance of trust sounds different. Gnabry wobbles. His use is anything but carved in stone.
In any case, after the Slovakia game, it was unclear whether Gnabry would be available against Northern Ireland at all. In the first half, he had to be treated on the sidelines of the medical staff on the arm. According to Nagelsmann, a bruise on the elbow head was the reason for this.
“I am not now assuming that it hindered him or that he has problems, so that he could also play,” said the national coach. Gnabry would have had problems on Friday, but it got better during the day. Accordingly, Nagelsmann is shallow: “Today I didn’t notice when I was greeted that he somehow had a hanging arm.” The national coach could continue to rely on Gnabry – if he wants it.
What should be found for Sunday regardless of Nagelsmann: Gnabry has to grow again in the national team again, he wants to continue to play a role. This applies to the defensive work mentioned by Nagelsmann, but above all also to the core competence of Bayern professionals. Because the truth also includes: In the DFB offensive, Gnabry-sometimes also due to injuries-could not set highlights for a long time. He delivered his last scorer point in the national team’s jersey with a goal in the test game against Belgium. That was in March 2023, two and a half years ago, and was still under ex-national coach Hansi Flick.