Two weeks before the World Cup emergency against Curaçao, double packer Deniz Undav and his offensive colleagues have sparked anticipation for the tournament in America. The 25,122 spectators in the sold-out Mainz Arena were positively impressed by the committed performance and the small goal gala when the national soccer team beat sparring partner Finland 4-0 (1-0).
However, the many supporters dressed in Germany jerseys still had to do without Manuel Neuer’s comeback in the DFB goal. The 40-year-old is still in training after a sore calf. Champions League finalist Kai Havertz was also missing from the team that was largely chosen by national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
DFB offensive convinces after start-up time
After a certain run-up time, Undav (34th/57th minute), Florian Wirtz (48th) and the busy Jamal Musiala (63rd) caused plenty of goal celebrations on his international comeback after 14 months. Confidence is growing after the eighth win in a row. A lot seems possible, especially offensively, in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The goal spell had to be broken first, Undav, for example, failed twice before his international goals five and six to Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky (8th/27th).
Two days before the departure to Chicago, where the tournament dress rehearsal against the USA will take place next Saturday (8.30 p.m./RTL), Nagelsmann offered a team that is largely expected to start against World Cup newcomers Curaçao on June 14th.
After more than a year, Musiala and Wirtz were once again united as offensive whirlers. At several moments it was possible to see what could be possible with “Wusiala” at the tournament.
Karl and Brown with strong scenes
The national coach also showed the courage to be youthful and carefree. Nathaniel Brown is preparing to displace Leipzig captain David Raum with his technique and dynamism in the left-back position. The 22-year-old from Frankfurt just had some good scenes offensively.
And on the right wing, Lennart Karl is making steam. “He has youthful freshness,” Nagelsmann explained on ZDF about the 18-year-old’s first starting eleven. Karl dribbled, Karl passed, Karl hit the outside post (55th). And he also worked diligently towards the back. The youngest in the German World Cup squad tried a lot – and he is ahead of the experienced Galatasaray professional Leroy Sané, who fluctuates too much in his performance.
Oliver Baumann, who had been demoted to number two, was once again able to show himself in goal. Nagelsmann called the Hoffenheim player’s twelfth international match “a reward” shortly before Baumann’s 36th birthday. But he also made it clear that the 40-year-old Neuer will be number one at the tournament in America. “We don’t need to take any risks,” said the national coach to protect the still ailing Neuer, who watched relaxed in the stadium.
Defensively hardly required
The 2014 world champion saw a typical test match. The real excitement of the World Cup was still missing. The Finns weren’t a real touchstone. They hardly appeared offensively, captain Joshua Kimmich once had to block a shot in front of the line (29th).
The German team was constantly moving forward. After a short corner, a Kimmich cross led to Undav’s first header goal in a DFB jersey. The Stuttgart player showed that he can be more than a joker. He scored goal number two from Wirtz with a strong pressing action. Undav made it 3-0 after a fine solo and pass from Karl. After his second goal, he was treated and substituted for minor injuries.
What was particularly valuable was that Musiala gained self-confidence with his ninth international goal. At the end, Nagelsmann made a lot of substitutions and brought on Nadiem Amiri from Mainz, among others, to the applause of the fans.
