Before the game against Switzerland, the national coach was talkative – not only about Deniz Undav and the situation in central midfield, but also which central defenders he is planning for his World Cup starting eleven.
From defense chief to substitute: Antonio Rüdiger has initially lost his place in the central defense of the German national soccer team. As Julian Nagelsmann announced at the final press conference, Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah will start against Switzerland on Friday in Basel.
When asked what this means for his World Cup starting eleven in the summer, the 38-year-old made it clear: “As a coach, you don’t change your central defense from game to game. Central defense is very, very close to your core and shouldn’t be constantly changed.”said Nagelsmann before the start of the World Cup year.
Understanding from Rüdiger
Rüdiger honors “their performance,” emphasized Nagelsmann, and accepts “the situation.” At the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada (June 11th to July 19th), the 33-year-old will still play “an important role” from Spanish record champions Real Madrid, even if “he just comes in”. There will also be games, “in which he plays from the beginning”said Nagelsmann. But if Tah and Schlotterbeck “stay stable, that’s how it is for now”.
For now only Nagelsmann’s replacement: Antonio Rüdiger
Rüdiger, who has been plagued by injuries recently, wants to help the DFB team at the World Cup, regardless of his role. “If Julian needs me, I will be there, whether starting or from the bench, to secure the result”he said before Nagelsmann’s statement to the “kicker“.
Unity between coach and player
“During a World Cup”, added Rüdiger, “We need more than just eleven players anyway, especially this summer. The conditions will be very demanding, but also the travel effort and the slightly increased number of games.”
Nagelsmann sees it the same way. “Unfortunately, suspensions happen every now and then at the tournament, we hope that no one gets injured”said the national coach and not only gave Rüdiger a bit of hope: “It can turn around again.”
