The final round of the Nations League was largely a disappointment for the German national team. But above all, hope makes a newcomer.
William Laing reports from Stuttgart
You should have imagined the final four tournament of the Nations League to the German national team. Instead of a desired title win, it initially set a defeat against Portugal (1: 2) in Munich on Wednesday in Munich, and on Sunday in the game for third place in Stuttgart also a bankruptcy against France (0: 2). However, the two lost games will still remain in a positive memory of a DFB professional-at least for personal reasons.
Nick Woltemade celebrated his debut for the German A selection in the duel with the Portuguese. The 23-year-old was directly in the starting eleven. A privilege that national coach Julian Nagelsmann granted him again four days later against France. The striker of VfB Stuttgart knew how to justify confidence in his home stadium with an appealing performance. A future in the national team should be sure of this.
Woltemade did not succeed in his first two games for Germany. He had no simple stand against Portugal, but could have scored a goal in the first round. Against France, he presented himself much more pleasant. The defense of the “Équipe tricolore” had his hands full with the lively Woltemade. The one, too, is part of the truth, but this time definitely should have scored a hit.
After two minutes he appeared alone in front of goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who knew how to ward off the attacker’s too unplaced shot. Shortly before the break, he failed again on the Frenchman’s goalkeeper. Julian Nagelsmann didn’t want to go to court too hard with Woltemade.
“He had good actions,” said the national coach at the press conference after the game. “Sure, one goal, both against Portugal and today, he has to do, I think. Overall, he was extremely satisfied with Woltemade. “I think he brought himself well today, he did it well,” said Nagelsmann, who has already opened the door for further nominations of the newcomer.
For 45 minutes, Woltemade was allowed to stand on the lawn in the game for third place, was a constant troublemaker in and around the Frenchman’s penalty area. One or the other fan of Germany should have rubbed his eyes at the beginning of the second half when the offensive player did not return to the pitch and had to give way for Deniz Undav. But that had a good reason.
The U21 European Championships starts in Slovakia on Wednesday. Woltemade with the German selection under the direction of head coach Antonio di Salvo should also take part in the German selection. Accordingly, Nagelsmann wanted to be considerate of his counterpart, who is planning the former Bremener in the storm center at the tournament.
With Di Salvo, there were agreements regarding Woltemade, which were then changed again, said the national coach. “And then it was actually the idea that he didn’t necessarily play from the start. So there again a little ‘sorry’.” The fact that Nagelsmann preferred to apologize at Di Salvo instead of foregoing Woltemade from the start from the start: What was important for the player in the A national team.
After the final whistle, Woltemade himself thanked him for the trust of the national coach. “I think you could see today that I have already better adapted to the level, which I haven’t played so often now,” he ordered his performance in the mixed zone. “That’s why I’m very happy about it and I am very grateful that I was able to start again today.”