analysis
The trip to the USA produced instructive insights and many winners in the DFB team. Nevertheless, national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s task list is long.
Won quite convincingly 3-1 against the USA and played 2-2 against committed Mexicans – these are the bare numbers that Germany’s national soccer team took home with them from their test trip to the USA. The results and performances were at least okay enough that the new national coach Julian Nagelsmann can feel like a winner. Some of his players also return home stronger, while others have to worry about their status.
Probably the most important and most repeated finding of the trip is the return of optimism. It was also Nagelsmann’s main task to give the team and the fans back the belief that a successful home European Championship in 2024 is possible. “I have a good feeling from this week and I firmly believe that we will get even better“said Nagelsmann in the sports show after the draw against Mexico.
A framework is emerging
It was mainly the little things, starting with the squad: Under Nagelsmann, the strikers were given their own category for the first time in a long time and were no longer mentioned together with the midfield. Finally, Nagelsmann had two classic penalty area attackers in Niclas Füllkrug and Kevin Behrens. And Füllkrug strengthened his chances of playing an important role at the European Championships with two goals – he has now scored nine times in eleven international matches.
Nagelsmann refrained from making a lot of rotation, at least in midfield, so that the team could get used to it. If the question about real regular players a few weeks ago would have resulted in a maximum of two or three names, a framework is now emerging: Antonio Rüdiger, Ilkay Gündogan, Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and possibly Füllkrug seem to have a lead. Joshua Kimmich, who was recently absent due to illness, is also added.
Wirtz and Musiala the new Poldi and Schweini?
The Wirtz/Musiala duo in particular gives the team a face again and has the potential to inspire the fans. Lukas Podolski sees parallels to the Poldi/Schweini duo, the crowd favorites at the 2006 World Cup: “They show a similar carefree attitude, cunning and playfulness”he told the picture.
Nagelsmann relies on the two talents, even though they are each only 20 years old and both feel most comfortable in the central attacking midfield. Like voting on the football field, it’s about “To have the best players on the pitch”said Nagelsmann. “Why shouldn’t the two of them always play together?”
Pascal Groß among the winners
Nagelsmann courageously lined up on the double six. In addition to Gündogan, he chose Pascal Groß, a second offensive-minded player. And this at a time when not only Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel likes to emphasize how important a primarily defensive six is, a so-called “holding six”.
The fact that Groß suddenly plays such an important role may also be due to a lack of alternatives. Emre Can and Robert Andrich could be the defensive specialists we are looking for, but they are not always the first choice at their clubs. Leverkusen’s Andrich didn’t play a minute on his first international trip, Dortmund’s Can wasn’t even selected. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka are strong alternatives, but both also have an offensive urge.
Bearers of hope Hummels
The defense remains the biggest construction site, especially the back four. The long-scorned Mats Hummels is now the favorite again for a place in central defense. The veteran from Borussia Dortmund has what it takes to direct the defensive line and also gives his neighbor Rüdiger security. Niklas Süle was given homework by Nagelsmann to get a regular place at Borussia Dortmund, “that has to be his goal.”
At the back right, Süle was very disappointing against Mexico, and Jonathan Tah is also seen as Plan B there. At the back left, Robin Gosens and David Raum were not completely convincing, so the search for ideal solutions remains in the full-back positions. They may move up when Benjamin Henrichs (left) and Kimmich (right) are fit again.
“We can definitely improve”
After all, it is now details that concern the DFB, no longer questions of principle. The required basics could be seen again, said sports director Rudi Völler after the USA game, “the passion and the greed”.
Players like Füllkrug raved about the national coach and the national coach raved about his team. ““I’ll definitely take with me the fact that I’ve never coached a team that implements the things you give it so quickly.”said Nagelsmann of the sports show.
In November against Turkey and Austria
It will take four weeks until the team gets together again for the friendly games against Turkey (November 18th) and Austria (November 21st). Both are of similar caliber as the USA and Mexico and have already qualified for the European Championships. The anticipation for the games and the tournament now seems to be significantly greater than it was a few weeks ago – that is also an important finding of the trip to the USA.