By Christian Falk, Tobias Altschäffl and Heiko Niedderer
This victory gives us European Championship hope – and gives national coach Julian Nagelsmann (36) a dream debut!
In his first assignment as DFB coach, the national team won 3-1 against the USA at the start of their trip to America in Hartford.
Nagelsmann surprises with his outfit! Instead of a white shirt or dark sweater, he wears a flannel shirt in light blue, gray and white. You’ve never seen a national coach look so casual!
244 days before the start of the European Championship in his own country, the new coach is already showing a large part of his European Championship team.
National coach debut in a lumberjack shirt: Julian Nagelsmann on the sidelines during the game against the USA Photo: ALEX GRIMM / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Surprising: With Musiala and Sané, Nagelsmann only considers two of his former Bayern players for the starting eleven. Union’s Robins Gosens is also allowed to play from the start. His Berlin team colleague Kevin Behrens was not used.
Also because Joshua Kimmich (28) has to leave before the game with a flu-like infection. Pascal Groß plays for him, not his Bayern teammate Leon Goretzka.
Defensively, Nagelsmann immediately relies on the return of Hummels.
Despite the comeback of the BVB defender, the defense against the Americans remains ready for the title!
► 27th minute: Ex-Dortmunder Christian Pulisic (25) is allowed to shoot unchallenged from 18 meters and circles the ball perfectly into the crease. No chance for keeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
The first goal conceded in the Nagelsmann era is a dream goal!
The lead for the USA: ex-Dortmunder Christian Pulisic (No. 10, left) circles the ball into the far corner. Gündogan and Rüdiger arrive late Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
But: The crisis-hit DFB team (only one win from the last six games) is not giving in. In the attack, Musiala, Wirtz and Sané swirl behind Füllkrug and repeatedly create dangerous moments.
Füllkrug alone has two good chances to score the first goal under Nagelsmann, but fails both times due to US keeper Turner (22nd/27th). Before that, Groß hits the post (11th).
► 39th minute: Almost ten minutes after falling behind, the Nagelsmann team finally rewarded themselves! The strong Sané (BILD grade 1) runs right through the US defense, leaving several opponents standing. After a one-two with captain Ilkay Gündogan he is through, the ball bounces from Turner back to Gündogan, who pushes in to make it 1-1.
The captain himself scored Nagelsmann’s first goal!
After a solo by Leroy Sané, captain Ilkay Gündogan made it 1-1 Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
And suddenly the national team really shows character. The DFB team turns the game around – and can combine correctly again!
► 58th minute: Musiala passes to Gosens, who passes straight through to Füllkrug. The BVB clipper looks out for Turner and scores to make it 2-1. His eighth goal in his tenth international match!
Just three minutes later Füllkrug scored the third goal.
Union’s Robin Gosens crosses. US defender Joe Scally arrives late Photo: AP Photo/Jessica Hill
In front of the US box he passes it across to Bayern’s jewel Musiala, who makes the final score 3-1 (61′).
One thing is clear: Under Nagelsmann, the national team is apparently having fun again. Fans won’t have to wait long for the next performance.
On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (2 a.m./ARD), the DFB boys will face Mexico in Philadelphia. The next Nagelsmann gala should work there…