After his successful debut, national coach Julian Nagelsmann announced changes for the upcoming duel with Mexico. He doesn’t want to think about the European Championship team until later.
Julian Nagelsmann will change his starting eleven in the second international match as national football coach despite the successful debut. The new national coach announced this before the duel with Mexico on Wednesday (October 18th, 2023, 2:00 a.m. CEST/in the live stream and in the audio stream of the ARD Sportschau, from 9:05 a.m. the replay of the game live on Erste) in Philadelphia – still without detail to go.
“We have several topics for you to consider”said Nagelsmann before the second game of the German national soccer team’s US trip, where more than 60,000 fans are expected at Lincoln Financial Field. “It’s the first measure, we have more games after that”, emphasized Nagelsmann. He also wanted to play “not just a first eleven, but a first 15”, “because we need more than a first eleven”.
Dortmund players should be spared
And so he would like to “change something” after his promising debut against the USA in Hartford/Connecticut (3:1) – also to spare some of the heavily burdened professionals. It is likely that Nagelsmann will at least rely on Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal and have a back four play in front of him. But there are likely to be changes there because Nagelsmann has announced that he will rest one or two Dortmund players because of the Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen on Friday.
Italy legionnaire Malick Thiaw could take Mats Hummels’ place in the center of defense next to Antonio Rüdiger. David Raum should have a chance on the left, and Niklas Süle, who came on as a substitute against the USA (3-1), on the right. The Dortmund quartet, which also includes Niklas Füllkrug and Julian Brandt, will therefore return separately from the team in a private jet after the game. A “highly professional measure,” as Hummels believes, although he too is aware of the issue of sustainability. Borussia finances the expensive return and compensates for the CO2 emissions.
Goretzka in midfield, Müller in the attack?
In midfield, captain Ilkay Gündogan harmonized perfectly with Pascal Groß against the Americans, but Leon Goretzka could replace the professional from Brighton and Hove Albion. In addition to the in-form Leroy Sane, Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt could be deployed in the offensive three-man line. The only top would be Thomas Müller.
In addition, Nagelsmann emphasized, “we still have two games in November where things are a little different.” Then he will think more about the EURO than in Philadelphia. After his home game premiere against Turkey in Berlin and the duel with Austria in Vienna, he only has the two March games left before he has to nominate his tournament squad.
Nagelsmann needs “greedy” replacement players
Nagelsmann knows that substitute players are also needed for the European Championships. “who are greedy and have the right attitude”. That’s why he wants “See everyone in the game if possible, not just in training”. Like the newcomers Kevin Behrens and Robert Andrich, who, unlike Chris Führich, have not yet played.
“Different team” than the USA
The number twelve in the world rankings is “a different team” than the USA, said Nagelsmann, “they try to play faster in depth. They play with more diagonal passes when they are pressed. They are very aggressive in one-on-one , offensively and defensively. We need a different structure.”
He wants to hold on to his bold idea. “We will continue to try to defend highly,” announced the 36-year-old. “Of course we need both solutions and also have to be able to defend deep in our own half,” said Nagelsmann, “but with the same activity as if we were pressing high.” But not with the same players.